Debunking myths: Specialist confirms wet hair doesn't increase risk of flu or pneumonia
Evening activities such as walking the dog or running errands can seem risky. After all, according to long-held beliefs, leaving home with a wet head could result in flu or even pneumonia. This is what generations of mothers and grandmothers have insisted.
12 February 2024 13:44
But is it really true? The team at the Daily Mail decided to consult an infectious disease specialist about it. Surprisingly, it turns out that wet hair cannot cause disease. Here's what the expert had to say.
Does going out with wet hair cause pneumonia?
Long and thick hair is a dream of many women. However, the desired length often comes with a price. Hair can take hours to dry, and not everyone has time to use a hairdryer. Some of us avoid it altogether, as high temperatures can cause irreversible damage to the strands. Sometimes, we leave home with damp hair, which some believe is a surefire way of catching a cold. This belief, of course, is often reiterated by our grandmothers, who tell us tales of the dangers of going out with a wet head.
But is there real risk involved? According to Prof. Paul Hunter, an infectious disease specialist, the answer is... no. In a discussion with the Daily Mail, he elaborated on the supposed danger of venturing outdoors with wet hair. Contrary to popular opinion, Prof. Johunter stipulates that wet hair cannot cause pneumonia or flu. The only way we could get sick is by coming into contact with an infected person.
The link between wet hair and colds
The specialist also noted that although damp hair could potentially lead to body cooling, a cooler body is generally more susceptible to infections, as affirmed by studies conducted by Prof. Ron Eccles at the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University.
A study was carried out involving as many as 180 participants who were segregated into two groups. The first group had socks on, while participants in the second group were instructed to dip their feet in chilled water. All participants were then exposed to a person infected with a virus. Interestingly, individuals who remained in colder conditions were infected 10% more often than their sock-wearing counterparts. This raises convictions that cooling can cause a cold under certain conditions if you're already carrying the virus, as explained by Prof. Ron Eccles.
So, what's the takeaway from this? While going out with wet hair cannot directly cause pneumonia or flu, it does increase the risk of body cooling. Therefore, if you've just washed your hair and you're planning to mingle with friends or be in a crowd, it's advised to dry your hair first.
