Going out with wet hair won't cause a cold, says Dr. Gérald Kierzek, but cold weather can impact your health in other ways.
Wet hair and illness myths
Dr. Gérald Kierzek explains that going out with wet hair in autumn does not directly cause a cold. This misconception is commonly held but lacks scientific basis.Cause of a cold
A cold is a viral infection caused by viruses such as rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. These viruses spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, respiratory droplets, or direct contact with an infected person.Wet hair and infection
Wet hair itself is not a source of infection. To catch a cold, one must be exposed to the virus, which is transmitted through different means, not through having wet hair.Cold weather and viruses
Dr. Kierzek clarifies that cold weather does not create the viruses responsible for colds. The phrase "catching a cold" can be misleading, as it implies that cold temperatures cause illness, which is not the case.Cold effects on the body
While wet hair does not cause illness, cold temperatures can affect the body. For example, cold exposure may weaken the immune system slightly, making it easier to catch a virus if one is already exposed.
