Wet hair will make you sick…: …and 14 other myths about cold and flu

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1: If you leave the house with wet hair when the weather is cold, you will catch a cold more quickly.

Yes and no. A link between wet hair and colds has not been proven. Severe cooling of the skin may result in decreased blood flow to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. This may temporarily inhibit local defenses against infections. There appear to be individual differences in sensitivity.

2: Ginger tea strengthens the immune system.

Yes and no. The preventive effect of ginger against colds has not been scientifically proven. However, ginger is known for its antioxidant effects and may be potentially anti-inflammatory. Ginger teas are also beneficial.

3: Cold feet cause colds.

Yes and no. A link between cold feet and a weakened immune system has not been proven. Similar to wet hair, cold extremities can have a negative effect on blood flow to mucous membranes.

4: Vitamin C helps with colds.

Wrong. Of course, vitamin C is essential for the body and therefore the immune system. If you take it regularly enough you can limit the duration of infection. However, the vitamin has no effect on a cold that has already occurred.

5: Flu and cold are the same thing.

Wrong. In medical terms, true flu is synonymous with flu. This is a pneumonia caused by influenza viruses. The common cold is a harmless but unpleasant infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses and other viruses. Bacteria can often be added.

6: Hand sanitizer does not protect against infection.

Wrong. However, it is enough to wash your hands regularly with soap. Our hands touch the face 2,000 to 3,000 times a day, thus carrying ingested pathogens directly to entry points (mouth, nose, eyes).

7: Anyone who stays in the cold for a long time gets sick more quickly.

Wrong. Although colds occur significantly more frequently during the cold seasons, they are not caused solely by cold temperatures. Other important factors include dry indoor air and higher survival rates of pathogens at lower temperatures. However, very cold weather causes reduced blood flow to mucous membranes and can weaken the immune system. But avoiding exercise outdoors is definitely not good for your health.

8: It’s better to blow your nose than “sniff” it.

TRUE. For hygiene reasons, blowing your nose is better than blowing it. It is important to wash your hands afterwards.

9: You can’t suppress a sneeze.

Wrong. Sneezing encourages the transmission of pathogens. This should be prevented by sneezing into the crook of your elbow or suppressing your sneeze if necessary.

10: You should not exercise outside in cold weather because this can lead to pneumonia.

Wrong. Outdoor sports are also recommended in winter. However, you should be careful in very cold weather (minus 10 degrees Celsius and above). It is important to breathe through your nose as it warms the cold air.

11: There is no need for sunscreen in winter.

Wrong. There is strong UV radiation at altitude, so you must protect your skin. Additionally, UV exposure increases with the reflection of snow.

12: A cold only lasts a few days.

Wrong. The classic cold lasts up to two weeks, even in a healthy person. Statistically, half of the cold goes away after only ten days.

13: Allergies disappear in winter.

Wrong. Allergies only go away when the allergen is gone; so this would be true in the case of pollen allergy, for example.

14: Alternative showers strengthen the immune system.

Wrong. This has not been proven by any research. A contrast shower can have at least a positive effect because it accelerates blood circulation.

15: Women freeze more quickly than men and therefore get sick more often.

It’s a legend.

Source : Blick