As we all know, cold and flu season is the winter. But have you ever wondered why you get more colds during the winter? There are all sorts of myths around it that we pass around like they are facts. We’ve heard that having wet hair on a cold day is the problem. We’ve also been told it’s not wearing a scarf and having a cold throat.
We have looked into the science of why we get more colds in winter to help you avoid them this year. If you know why it happens, you can protect yourself!
Winter being cold isn’t the problem in and of itself. Your body doesn’t get sick just from being chilly. “Just a temperature change in and of itself is not enough to make you ill,” said family physician Dr. Karla Robinson. “You have to, in fact, be exposed to a virus.”
However, the cold weather does make you more susceptible to those viruses. Payal Kohli, a cardiologist, explained, “If you think about what happens when the weather gets colder, the air gets a lot drier... which means that when we inhale that dry air, we can be more dehydrated, which can affect our immune function, our mucous membranes — which are sort of our first line of immunity — or the linings of our lungs, or nose or mouth, those can start to crack. Those cracks can allow bacteria and viruses to get into your body… So anytime there’s a large swing in ambient temperature and ambient humidity, or even in the barometric pressure outside, it can cause biological changes in our body.”
Some of our colds also come from behavioral changes that happen every season. A few months ago, we met friends and family outdoors for walks and barbecues. Now, we are gathering indoors, breathing each other’s germs much more closely. Your chances of catching a cold increase significantly when you are in close proximity to folks.
There are steps you can take to prevent a cold! Most of us don’t get enough vitamin D in the winter. Your skin makes it from sunlight. When we’re bundled up and the days are shorter, we don’t get enough. Taking it in the form of a supplement can help your immune system.
You should also wash your hands frequently — especially when entering your house, after touching shared items or before eating. Staying hydrated can help your body produce mucus and function well. If you notice that your throat and nose are dry, use a humidifier. Clean the surfaces of your home that are touched often. And, finally, try not to touch your face.
For some illnesses, like the flu, there are vaccines. But for colds, you just have to take care of yourself and maintain your immune system. By caring for yourself, you can avoid a cold even when the air is dry, and we’re all packed together indoors!
