6 Winter Health Myths: True or False?
Kansas City Home Care • January 5, 2018
Can the cold Kansas City weather make you sick? Will it make your allergies go away? Will Vitamin C prevent colds? Let’s take a look at some of these winter health “myths” and the actual truth behind them.
- You can get sick from being out in the cold, especially with wet hair. False . Cold weather does not cause illness. Exposure to germs from people who are ill (either by droplets in the air or by touching things that person has touched) is what causes colds and flu. These types of illnesses are more common in the winter months because people tend to spend more time indoors where it’s easier to become exposed to germs.
- Cold weather gets rid of allergies. Partially True . Really cold weather will get rid of seasonal allergens like hay fever. But many people suffer not only from outdoor allergens, but also from indoor allergens (e.g., dust mites, mold, pet dander). So whether or not your runny nose and sneezing will stop in the winter will depend on what you’re allergic to and what allergens you have in your home and/or workplace.
- Vitamin C will ward off colds. Partially True . There’s not much evidence to suggest that getting your recommended daily dose of Vitamin C will prevent colds. But the general consensus seems to be that taking Vitamin C at the onset of a cold may reduce the cold’s duration.
- Sunscreen isn’t necessary during the winter months. False. The sun’s rays can be harmful even during the winter months (and on cloudy days). So it’s important to wear sunscreen on any skin that will be exposed to the sun every day of the year.
- Most of your body heat is lost through your head. False. This myth likely started because a lot of people don’t wear hats in the winter, and you tend to lose heat from any area of your body that isn’t covered. So don’t forget to wear your hat this winter. And your gloves!
- You should feed a cold, but starve a fever. False. Not eating when you’re fighting an illness is rarely a good idea. When you’re running a fever, your immune system needs to be at its best to fight off the illness. That requires a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
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