It is a common belief that going out with wet hair can cause a cold. But, is there any scientific evidence to support this belief? Let’s find out.

Understanding the Common Cold

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and sinuses. It is a very common illness, and most people get a cold at least once a year.

The symptoms of a cold can include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, watery eyes, and fatigue.

The viruses that cause colds are spread from person to person through the air, when an infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes, or by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or eyes.

What Causes a Cold?

The common cold is caused by a viral infection, and there are many different viruses that can cause it. The most common are rhinoviruses, which are responsible for up to 50% of all colds.

Other viruses that can cause colds include coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

When a person is infected with a cold virus, it enters the body through the nose, mouth, or eyes, and begins to replicate in the cells of the respiratory tract.

The immune system responds to the infection by producing white blood cells, which attack the virus and the infected cells.

As a result of this immune response, the tissues in the respiratory tract become inflamed, and this leads to the symptoms of a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat.

The Role of Temperature in Catching a Cold

Many people believe that going out with wet hair can cause a cold because they think that being cold weakens the immune system and makes it more susceptible to infection. But, is there any truth to this belief?.

Research has shown that being cold does not directly cause a cold. However, there is some evidence to suggest that being cold may weaken the immune system and make it more difficult for the body to fight off a viral infection.

A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that when human cells were exposed to lower temperatures, they were less able to fight off the rhinovirus, the most common cold virus.

The researchers suggested that this weakened immune response could be one reason why people are more susceptible to colds in the winter.

Another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that when healthy individuals were exposed to a cold virus, those who had been exposed to cold temperatures for longer periods of time were more likely to develop a cold than those who had not been exposed to cold temperatures. The researchers suggested that this could be due to the fact that cold temperatures may weaken the immune system.

The Role of Wet Hair in Catching a Cold

So, what about going out with wet hair? Does it increase your risk of catching a cold?.

There is no direct evidence to suggest that going out with wet hair can cause a cold. The only way to catch a cold is to come into contact with a cold virus.

However, there are some ways in which going out with wet hair could contribute to your risk of catching a cold.

Firstly, when you have wet hair, the water on your hair can evaporate and make you feel cold. This can cause your body to divert energy away from your immune system, which could weaken your ability to fight off a potential infection.

Secondly, when you have wet hair, you may be more likely to touch your face to keep your hair out of your eyes. This can increase the risk of transferring any viruses that you come into contact with from your hands to your nose or mouth.

Thirdly, if you are outside and it is cold, going out with wet hair could make you feel even colder, which could weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infection.

Conclusion

While there is no direct evidence to suggest that going out with wet hair can cause a cold, there are some ways in which it could potentially contribute to your risk of catching a cold.

In general, it is best to avoid going out with wet hair if possible, especially if it is cold outside. If you do need to go out with wet hair, make sure to dry it as soon as possible and avoid touching your face with your hands.