[UPDATED] Sleeping with Wet Hair and Other Hair Myth/Truths

[farkaland]

Hi,

I'm looking for some real scientific evidence that disproves the theory that sleeping with wet hair causes headaches.

I read this OLD thread, but it doesn't provide evidence other than a few people saying "I go to bed with wet hair all the time". For all we know they could be dead now because of their wet hair! http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137807&highlight=wet+hair+headache

(I did some minimal google searching, since I want to go to bed now 1am...will try something more extensive tomorrow)

I'm looking to show her that scientific method > unfounded beliefs passed from generation to generation. Any help would be great!!!


Some updates!

Question: What's my risk of catching a cold when the temperature drops?

According to Makinen et al. (2009), respiratory tract infections and common colds are associated with temperature. For upper respiratory tract infections, the association is a 4.3% increased chance of infection per 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature (p=0.055, almost statistically significant). A 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature increases the chance of getting the common cold by 2.1% (p=0.004, statistically significant). This was for a North American sample.

Mourtzoukou and Falagas' (2007) review paper indicate that the inhalation of cold air, cooling of surface body, and cooling of core temperature suppress immune respone and cause other effects that lead to increased risk of infection. Although not all sources are unanimous on this issue, it appears that's the general concensus. Further, longer duration in the cold also appears to increase the risk of dying from infections.

Makinen, TM et al. 2009. Cold temperature and low humidity are associated with increased occurrence of respiratory tract infections. Respiratory Medicine 103(3):456-462.

Mourtzoukou, EG. and Falagas, ME. 2007. Exposure to cold and respiratory tract infections. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 11(9):938-943.

Poster's note: But to be fair, Makinen et al. (2009) was one of the cited papers by Mourtzoukou and Falagas (2007), so the information is a bit redundant.


Question: Is "cold feet" more than just a figure of speech?

Johnson and Eccles (2005) found that the direct cooling of peoples' feet in 10 degree Celsius water for 20 minutes caused an onset of cold symptoms (p=0.047, statistically significant).

Johnson, C and Eccles R. 2005. Acute cooling of the feet and the onset of common cold symptoms. Family Practice 22(6):608-613.


Question: Can I get scalp fungus from sleeping with wet hair?


Scalp or fungal diseases can’t be caught from sleeping with wet scalps. Scalp infections require prior involvement with infected sources such as humans, tainted hair care tools or animals. Scalp fungus (tinea capitis) mainly affects children, whose immune systems make them more susceptible to skin infections.
http://health.learninginfo.org/hair-care/myths.htm

HOWEVER,

The fungi that cause ringworm thrive in warm, moist areas. Ringworm is more likely when you have frequent wetness (such as from sweating) and minor injuries to your skin, scalp, or nails.
P.S.
Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Ringworm can affect skin on your body (tinea corporis), scalp (tinea capitis), groin area (tinea cruris, also called jock itch), or feet (tinea pedis, also called athlete's foot). Although its name suggests otherwise, it is caused by a fungus, not a worm.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001439.htm#Causes,%20incidence,%20and%20risk%20fac tors



Question: Will I catch a cold from wet hair?

"We do lose heat from our heads, so if you sleep or go out with wet hair, your body temperature is likely to drop more quickly," explains Dr Graham Archard, vice-chairman of The Royal College of General Practitioners
"But colds are caused by viruses, not by being cold, and we are most susceptible to these at times of stress or fatigue, which can occur any time, regardless of how warm or cold we are."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/dietandfitness/3322256/Did-Granny-really-know-best.html

QUESTION: Can I catch a cold from being cold?

But is there any scientific evidence linking getting cold with getting ill? The answer to this is no, although plenty of people have tried to prove a link between temperature and the common cold over the years.

It all started with Louis Pasteur who, in 1878, observed that chickens are immune to anthrax (which is a bacterium rather the cold virus but its the same principle). He believed that the high body temperature of a chicken (around 105 degrees Fahrenheit) was somehow preventing it from getting ill so he stuck poor Monsieur Poulet in cold water and managed to give him anthrax. Sadly, the chicken died but Pasteur had proved his point.

The last 100 years have seen some slightly better experiments to investigate the link between getting chilly and catching a rhinovirus (that's the common cold virus) infection. In the 1950s, scientists compared men sitting in a warm room wearing socks and underwear (warm enclosed space, semi-naked men, a few hours...can't have smelt nice) with men in a freezer (they got gloves, hats and coats). They found that they all caught colds at the same rates.

A similar experiment, in 1968, chilled men in cold baths before dripping the rhinovirus into their noses. Once again, un-chilled and chilled people got colds at the same rates. In fact, a more recent piece of research suggests that cold temperature actually stimulates the immune system, priming it for future infections and better protecting you against the winter sniffles.

The general consensus appears to be that contact with an infected individual- particularly their hands - is a much more important risk factor for getting a cold than cold weather.
http://ilovebacteria.com/cold.htm


I would hardly call this scientific evidence, but...
Question: Will I become blind by sleeping with wet hair?
Old folks say sleeping with wet hair will make you blind. My mom has been telling me that since I was a kid. I admit that can probably happen if you sleep on a bed of nails. Otherwise, there's no connection between the two, according to Dr. Noel Santos, a Manila-based optometrist. Santos believes this myth was perpetrated by mothers who didn't want the pillowcase to get wet."
http://ezinearticles.com/?Will-Sleeping-With-Wet-Hair-Make-You-Blind?&id=800271
I tried to find out who this Dr. Noel Santos is...but no avail :(

Question: Will I catch a cold if I am wearing wet clothing?

Lingering in wet clothes, going outside in cold weather with wet hair or just being cold can increase your chances of getting a cold.
Answer: Myth

"No, being out in the cold or being cold or having wet clothes does not increase your chance of having a cold or the flu," said Dr. Jon Abramson, chairman of the department of pediatrics at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

"This is one of the myths that do exist both about the common cold or the flu, and clearly from a lot of studies this is not the case."

Since this myth persists, the likely reason behind it is the rise in cases once the temperature drops in the United States.

"It is true, however, [that] the flu virus circulates mainly in the fall and the wintertime, and that therefore, you do see a lot more flu during that time than the rest of the year in temperate countries, such as the United States," said Abramson.

While the viruses are more common during these times of the year, the consensus among physicians seems to be that this is caused by people staying indoors to avoid the cold -- not from the cold itself.

[heymikey]

I'm curious as well. Growing up, my parents would often say that sleeping with your hair wet would lead to blindness. While I do know now that isn't true, I'm curious to know the origin of that myth.

[Matrixvibe]

I'm also curious, my parents have always told me this while growing up...

[45ED]

Hi,

I'm looking for some real scientific evidence that disproves the theory that sleeping with wet hair causes headaches.

I read this OLD thread, but it doesn't provide evidence other than a few people saying "I go to bed with wet hair all the time". For all we know they could be dead now because of their wet hair! http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137807&highlight=wet+hair+headache

(I did some minimal google searching, since I want to go to bed now 1am...will try something more extensive tomorrow)

I'm looking to show her that scientific method > unfounded beliefs passed from generation to generation. Any help would be great!!!

First off, who is this "she"?

Presuming that this is a friend, though she may have an unfounded belief, I assure you that she won't take someone seriously if their research amounts to asking a question on RFD's Off-topic forum and doing minimal Google research. And if you're asking us to do your research, it shows that we know more and that one who asks and uses our answers only knows how to ask questions, not find them themselves.

All else fails, check out WebMD - they may have a word or two on the topic.

[AudiDude]

Remind me to stop napping after sex...

[Siefer999]

silly chinese superstition?

[13sundin]

my mom told me "fung sup" canto ppl will know what i'm sayin

[45ED]

I'm curious as well. Growing up, my parents would often say that sleeping with your hair wet would lead to blindness. While I do know now that isn't true, I'm curious to know the origin of that myth.

I'm also curious, my parents have always told me this while growing up...

...and in the spirit of being a rebellious kid, I went to sleep with my hair damp. You know, just to make things interesting. :twisted:

If nothing else happens to this thread, we can turn this thread into a "My parents told me this and I found out it wasn't true later on" topic. :D

[ShinNoodles]

silly chinese superstition?

+1 LOL

You know you're Chinese when... ;)

[45ED]

my mom told me "fung sup" canto ppl will know what i'm sayin

Sleep wet? :confused:

In my opinion, none of this has to do with superstition - parents just think we're making the pillows dirty by sleeping on them and making them wet.

[13sundin]

Sleep wet? :confused:

In my opinion, none of this has to do with superstition - parents just think we're making the pillows dirty by sleeping on them and making them wet.

the direct translation is "wind wet"

[45ED]

the direct translation is "wind wet"

It could also be "phoenix wet" - fung has a bajillion meanings, depending on characters and intonation.

But I correct myself in my last post - your mother, by saying "fung sup", was telling you that your clothes (fung) were getting wet (sup) if you slept with your hair wet, wasn't she?

[yao416]

my mom told me "fung sup" canto ppl will know what i'm sayin

this

[Canada_7]

Heard this myth before plenty of times, and my parents have told me it quite a few times. No matter if it's true or not, it's still pretty uncomfortable to try and sleep with wet hair for me (thus I don't do it).

[sexpuppet6000]

I go to sleep with my hair wet and I get some pretty sick lift in the morning.

[ShinNoodles]

the direct translation is "wind wet"

風濕 - fung1 sap1 (in cantonese), feng1 shi1 (in madarin) translates to "rheumatism".

[45ED]

Heard this myth before plenty of times, and my parents have told me it quite a few times. No matter if it's true or not, it's still pretty uncomfortable to try and sleep with wet hair for me (thus I don't do it).

Sometimes when you have a headache, it is caused by tension to your scalp. Like wearing a tight hat or someone pulling your hair. If you go to sleep, your hair being wet would weigh much more than it would dry, thus pulling on your scalp and weighing your hair down. If it pulls, then depending on how sensitive you are, you could end up with a headache. The more you move in your sleep, the more your hair is pulled. But if you have short hair, it wouldn't matter much - towel dry as best as you can and be done with it.

Okay, must sleep now.

[AcidBomber]

silly chinese superstition?

my mom told me "fung sup" canto ppl will know what i'm sayin


:arrowu:
I guess it's an Asian thing? But it's uncomfortable to sleep with wet hair, and whenever i do, i wake up feeling blah.

[elton5354]

My mother told me I will die if I don't dry my hair before I sleep. She seemed pretty serious. She said that was how her mother's brother died? :confused: lol

[Mr D J]

I used to go to sleep with my hair wet every day for over a year. I'm still alive and I get maybe 5 headaches a year (not for that reason). Myth.

[7Stryder7]

my parents tell me wet hair while sleeping at night causes permanent headaches. Although i do find that ridiculous, i am not quite sure

[felixdd]

I'm curious as well. Growing up, my parents would often say that sleeping with your hair wet would lead to blindness. While I do know now that isn't true, I'm curious to know the origin of that myth.

Did they tell you too much fapping causes headaches too?

[bobbings]

Lucky for those bald guys... They can't get wind wet haha

[joeym]

the only thing bad about sleeping with your hair wet is your pillow getting soaked as well :(

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

I go to sleep with my hair wet and I get some pretty sick lift in the morning.

+1.

But seriously, we need more RFD-ers to test the theory if you get a headache while you sleep with wet hair.

RFD experiment commence! post results in this thread!

[angekfire]

My mother told me I will die if I don't dry my hair before I sleep. She seemed pretty serious. She said that was how her mother's brother died? :confused: lol

We call those Uncles.

I never heard of this until right now. When I was a kid I used to take a shower right before bed and not bother to dry it. Never caused any problems for me.

[gwu]

Remind me to stop napping after sex...

why would your hair be wet after... wait a minute.... I GET IT! :D

[sxz]

This thread is jokes. Those are the most ridiculous reasons I've ever heard. I sleep with wet hair all the time and nothing has come of it.

[snoopdawgz]

only retards would sleep with wet hair in the first place

[Eyies]

Sleeping with wet hair causes some wicked bed head.

+1.

But seriously, we need more RFD-ers to test the theory if you get a headache while you sleep with wet hair.

RFD experiment commence! post results in this thread!
You gonna be liable for any sudden and unexplained wet-hair-sleeping related deaths? You people should be more responsible and careful of what you say.

[kingsley]

This thread is jokes. Those are the most ridiculous reasons I've ever heard. I sleep with wet hair all the time and nothing has come of it.

That's because you're not Chinese. It's an inherited vulnerability.

[Eyies]

That's because you're not Chinese. It's an inherited vulnerability.

Yup, one of the 5 ancient assassination arts of the Emperor's Royal Guards.

[woodstock827]

i personally do find myself having headache if i slept with wet hair the previous night, but that may be just me.

[jty0323]

http://gonzogastro.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/mythbusters.jpg

[45ED]

http://gonzogastro.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/mythbusters.jpg

Feasibly, Kari's the only one that could test this myth - Adam has little hair on his head and Jaime has no hair on his head. :lol:

[Eyies]

Feasibly, Kari's the only one that could test this myth - Adam has little hair on his head and Jaime has no hair on his head. :lol:

Grant!

[farkaland]

First off, who is this "she"?

Presuming that this is a friend, though she may have an unfounded belief, I assure you that she won't take someone seriously if their research amounts to asking a question on RFD's Off-topic forum and doing minimal Google research. And if you're asking us to do your research, it shows that we know more and that one who asks and uses our answers only knows how to ask questions, not find them themselves.

All else fails, check out WebMD - they may have a word or two on the topic.

Like I said it was 1am and I didn't have enough time to do adequate research. I probably should've clarified that I'm not demanding help; if someone had already done the research, it would be helpful :cheesygri

[snoopdawgz]

And this is how asains have such DBZ lookin hairdos ladies and gentlemans.

[ZenOps]

Yup, a cold drip on the head is one of the most effective torture techniques - used and known for many centuries.

Sleeping with wet hair is very dangerous - Getting a cold from it is unlikely - pnumonia is much more likely. Mold is very likely - even if you leave a wet towel on the bed overnight it is likely.

[sxz]

Yup, a cold drip on the head is one of the most effective torture techniques - used and known for many centuries.

Sleeping with wet hair is very dangerous - Getting a cold from it is unlikely - pnumonia is much more likely. Mold is very likely - even if you leave a wet towel on the bed overnight it is likely.

How would you get pneumonia if you sleep inside at room temperature? AFAIK, pneumonia is caused by bacteria, which leads to my next point. Why mold would grow if you wash your hair and sheets often is beyond me.

[ZenOps]

How would you get pneumonia if you sleep inside at room temperature? AFAIK, pneumonia is caused by bacteria, which leads to my next point. Why mold would grow if you wash your hair and sheets often is beyond me.


Room temperature is only 20 celsius. Body temperature is 37 celsius. Water that is evaporating is cooler than room temperature - with a slight breeze in the room it can go all the way to 5 celsius.

If you jump into a pool of 20 celsius water - many people will have difficulty keeping warm, it will feel "cold". Sauna's are heated to above body temperature - its usually a very relaxing feeling.

Mold is everywhere - there is probably not a single bathroom shower stall in Canada that does not have mold.

[sxz]

As for the myth itself, it probably had some truth to it but it has since become outdated and obsolete. In older generations where you may not necessarily have a fully insulated house or if there was a draft, the wind and wet hair combination would probably give you a cold which could cause other diseases (like pneumonia) to develop. So unless you're sleeping outside then it doesn't matter if you sleep with dry or wet hair.

[ZenOps]

I used to go to sleep with my hair wet every day for over a year. I'm still alive and I get maybe 5 headaches a year (not for that reason). Myth.


I knew a guy who never washes his hands after going to the washroom and eats three full meals - and hes still alive (barely) today. That you are alive does not mean its sanitary.

Simple answer: Ask your local doctor. He/She will scare probably scare the jeebus out of you on this one.

OT: The average computer keyboard has more germs than an average toilet seat.

[sxz]

Are you trying to equate going to sleep with washed (and presumably clean) hair to eating food after taking a dump? The former is certainly sanitary so I can't see your point. As for your friend who does the latter, I hope he doesn't eat with his hands.

[ZenOps]

Are you trying to equate going to sleep with washed (and presumably clean) hair to eating food after taking a dump? The former is certainly sanitary so I can't see your point. As for your friend who does the latter, I hope he doesn't eat with his hands.

Just ask your family doctor, simplest way. Is death possible from wet hair - maybe not in a controlled environment.

But leaving wet other parts of the body will greatly increase your chances of jock itch or atheletes foot which of course are very specific funguses. By the time you hit college and if you play any sports whatsoever - you will probably come across it at least once. Easily solved by drowining the effected area with vodka, but its still pretty annoying if it manages to make it under the skin.

"Showers and Dry up! Coach will kill anyone who isn't dry." Its definitely a sanitary thing to do. So while leaving water in your hair itself may not kill you - your teammates, coach, wife or living companion - just might.

Oh, and one more - do not drink yeast based beers and then go downtown on the missus....

[bokep]

I've never heard of this Chinese myth before, but...

Your hair and scalp will be colder, as heat would have been drawn to evaporate the water. I guess this could in turn cause some headaches as your scalp will be colder than the rest of your body.

Not sure about the whole mold thing.

[45ED]

Mold is going to occur only if someone's "pillow" is made out of used napkins. Or really gross kitchen rags.

[13sundin]

It could also be "phoenix wet" - fung has a bajillion meanings, depending on characters and intonation.

But I correct myself in my last post - your mother, by saying "fung sup", was telling you that your clothes (fung) were getting wet (sup) if you slept with your hair wet, wasn't she?

phoenix is too low as a tone, wind on the other hand is a homonym

風濕 - fung1 sap1 (in cantonese), feng1 shi1 (in madarin) translates to "rheumatism".

its a literal translation.

[ZenOps]

It doesn't happen as much in Canada, as every year we have winterkill of nastier stuff - including insects and even vermin (no rats in Alberta, the worlds only rat-free zone)

Leave a potato chip bag unsealed for a week in mississipi - and you will know why you are drying your hair right away.

[BananaHunter]

I've never tried it but I remember I slept with wet hair once and I woke up with a headache. I never did it again.

I'm quite sure dampness has something to do with it. There was a time when I slept in the basement where it's more damp. Compared to sleeping on the main or upper floor, the basement caused some unusual pains and muscle aches after a couple months.

It's an interesting topic because you'd imagine something like this would be common knowledge but apparently not.

[ZenOps]

One thing I know for sure.

Leaving the toilet seat up will give you headaches.










- When the missus knocks you over the head for it :lol:

[Dash]

if you wear proper protection, you should be ok sleeping with wet hair. :cheesygri

[ullyeus]

Burden of proof is on those making the claim...not you..

Whoever tells you this needs to prove it.

[bobbings]

Oh, and one more - do not drink yeast based beers and then go downtown on the missus....

What downtown? Some body throwing a party? Where in downtown??? :confused:

[angekfire]

What downtown? Some body throwing a party? Where in downtown??? :confused:

lol

[bobbings]

lol

I met this American girl from ICQ wayyyyyy back and she asked me if I've ever gone south of the border before. I told her I've been to New York, Boston, Florida, LA etc. and she laughed...

I still don't get it til this day... :confused:

[angekfire]

I met this American girl from ICQ wayyyyyy back and she asked me if I've ever gone south of the border before. I told her I've been to New York, Boston, Florida, LA etc. and she laughed...

I still don't get it til this day... :confused:


I really hope you are joking.

[gwu]

I met this American girl from ICQ wayyyyyy back and she asked me if I've ever gone south of the border before. I told her I've been to New York, Boston, Florida, LA etc. and she laughed...

I still don't get it til this day... :confused:

I can see the girl taking this as 'cute' and being totally revved up....while you're still at your computer thinking to yourself "Why does she care about my travels?:confused:"

It's ok, we'll just assume you're still too young ;)

[UncleSteve]

I met this American girl from ICQ wayyyyyy back and she asked me if I've ever gone south of the border before. I told her I've been to New York, Boston, Florida, LA etc. and she laughed...

I still don't get it til this day... :confused:

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6482/picardfa2.jpg

[farkaland]

ok back on topic:

I've added some updates (with as accurate as info as the internet can provide lol)

[Sprite09]

The head is where much of your body heat can be lost. So wet head, will keep your head cold in winter especially if room is cold at night. This could help you catch a cold or the flu. In summer having wet head on a hot day and sleeping , just gives you bed head which makes combing your hair impossible unless you rewet your head. bed head can give you head ache.

[farkaland]

Myth 3:

Becoming cold or chilled leads to catching a cold.

Facts:


1. As discussed above, almost everybody becomes infected whether they are chilled or not, if cold virus is dropped into the nose. (72)

2. One study has looked at this question. It was found that colds were no more frequent or severe in volunteers who were chilled than those who were not. (76)

http://www.commoncold.org/special1.htm

[Sprite09]

Myth 3:

Becoming cold or chilled leads to catching a cold.

Facts:


1. As discussed above, almost everybody becomes infected whether they are chilled or not, if cold virus is dropped into the nose. (72)

2. One study has looked at this question. It was found that colds were no more frequent or severe in volunteers who were chilled than those who were not. (76)

http://www.commoncold.org/special1.htm


I remember reading that cold virus loves cold environments and water droplets/vapour in clouds. From personal experience when I get cold I am much more prone to colds because it lowers my resistance.

Go wet your head and go out in winter. See what happens 1-2 days later, me catch cold.

[jli]

my mom and grandma have been telling me this "sleep with wet hair = lifelong headaches" thing for as long as i can remember! haha

either way, i hate sleeping with wet hair anyways.

[bobbings]

I can see the girl taking this as 'cute' and being totally revved up....while you're still at your computer thinking to yourself "Why does she care about my travels?:confused:"

It's ok, we'll just assume you're still too young ;)

Thinking of going down south of the border this long weekend lol

:twisted:

[nuberific]

I also grew up to the whole 'sleep with your hair wet and get headaches for the rest of your life' and the 'put your jacket on, you'll get a cold' spiels. Anyways, I found some evidene for the cold = get sick arguments.

According to Makinen et al. (2009), respiratory tract infections and common colds are associated with temperature. For upper respiratory tract infections, the association is a 4.3% increased chance of infection per 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature (p=0.055, almost statistically significant). A 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature increases the chance of getting the common cold by 2.1% (p=0.004, statistically significant). This was for a North American sample.

Mourtzoukou and Falagas' (2007) review paper indicate that the inhalation of cold air, cooling of surface body, and cooling of core temperature suppress immune respone and cause other effects that lead to increased risk of infection. Although not all sources are unanimous on this issue, it appears that's the general concensus. Further, longer duration in the cold also appears to increase the risk of dying from infections. But to be fair, Makinen et al. (2009) was one of the cited papers by Mourtzoukou and Falagas (2007), so the information is a bit redundant.

Makinen, TM et al. 2009. Cold temperature and low humidity are associated with increased occurrence of respiratory tract infections. Respiratory Medicine 103(3):456-462.

Mourtzoukou, EG. and Falagas, ME. 2007. Exposure to cold and respiratory tract infections. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 11(9):938-943.

[brunes]

Sleeping with wet hair every day can lead you to get sick, because it is going to keep your pillow in a constantly damp state. Pillows are already a breeding ground for all kinds of nasties, having them damp all the time is not something you want, especially since your face is on the damn thing for 1/3 of your life.

Not to mention you'll have horrible hair the next morning so you'll have to wash it again just to fix it!

[felixdd]

I also grew up to the whole 'sleep with your hair wet and get headaches for the rest of your life' and the 'put your jacket on, you'll get a cold' spiels. Anyways, I found some evidene for the cold = get sick arguments.

According to Makinen et al. (2009), respiratory tract infections and common colds are associated with temperature. For upper respiratory tract infections, the association is a 4.3% increased chance of infection per 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature (p=0.055, marginally statistically significant). A 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature increases the chance of getting the common cold by 2.1% (p=0.0004, statistically significantThis was for a North American sample.

Mourtzoukou and Falagas' (2007) review paper indicate that the inhalation of cold air, cooling of surface body, and cooling of core temperature suppress immune respone and cause other effects that lead to increased risk of infection. Although not all sources are unanimous on this issue, the appears that's the general concensus. Further, longer duration in the cold also appears to increase the risk of dying from infections. But to be fair, Makinen et al. (2009) was one of the cited papers by Mourtzoukou and Falagas (2007), so the information is a bit redundant.

Makinen, TM et al. 2009. Cold temperature and low humidity are associated with increased occurrence of respiratory tract infections. Respiratory Medicine 103(3):456-462.

Mourtzoukou, EG. and Falagas, ME. 2007. Exposure to cold and respiratory tract infections. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 11(9):938-943.

Probably the best post on this thread so far in terms of making a specific point and gathering rigorous evidence as support (as opposed to getting pneumonia from a wet head....)

Anyways, p=0.055 is not statistically significant. It's close, but it's .005 off :razz:.

And the issue of cold temperature vs. upper respiratory tract infection is definitely hotly debated. While I'm too indisposed at the moment to really read those two papers, it'd be interesting to know whether they correlated URI infection with indoor temperature as an independent variable, or whether they correlated it to seasonal outdoor temperature trends.

One interesting thing to note: flu season in Australia occurs around August ;).

[Triad]

You can use vodka to cure fungus etc...? :confused:

Just ask your family doctor, simplest way. Is death possible from wet hair - maybe not in a controlled environment.

But leaving wet other parts of the body will greatly increase your chances of jock itch or atheletes foot which of course are very specific funguses. By the time you hit college and if you play any sports whatsoever - you will probably come across it at least once. Easily solved by drowining the effected area with vodka, but its still pretty annoying if it manages to make it under the skin.

"Showers and Dry up! Coach will kill anyone who isn't dry." Its definitely a sanitary thing to do. So while leaving water in your hair itself may not kill you - your teammates, coach, wife or living companion - just might.

Oh, and one more - do not drink yeast based beers and then go downtown on the missus....

[Piccolo]

:arrowu:
I guess it's an Asian thing? But it's uncomfortable to sleep with wet hair, and whenever i do, i wake up feeling blah.
Whether my hair is long or short, I hate sleeping with wet hair.

the only thing bad about sleeping with your hair wet is your pillow getting soaked as well :(
yup and horrible bed head the next morning.

I never heard of this until right now. When I was a kid I used to take a shower right before bed and not bother to dry it. Never caused any problems for me.
I too have never heard of this believe till this thread. I am thinking that same thing when I heard about Fan Death. Do people actually believe this??? You can die from going to bed with wet hair?

[farkaland]

I also grew up to the whole 'sleep with your hair wet and get headaches for the rest of your life' and the 'put your jacket on, you'll get a cold' spiels. Anyways, I found some evidene for the cold = get sick arguments.

According to Makinen et al. (2009), respiratory tract infections and common colds are associated with temperature. For upper respiratory tract infections, the association is a 4.3% increased chance of infection per 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature (p=0.055, almost statistically significant). A 1 degree Celsius drop in temperature increases the chance of getting the common cold by 2.1% (p=0.0004, statistically significant). This was for a North American sample.

Mourtzoukou and Falagas' (2007) review paper indicate that the inhalation of cold air, cooling of surface body, and cooling of core temperature suppress immune respone and cause other effects that lead to increased risk of infection. Although not all sources are unanimous on this issue, it appears that's the general concensus. Further, longer duration in the cold also appears to increase the risk of dying from infections. But to be fair, Makinen et al. (2009) was one of the cited papers by Mourtzoukou and Falagas (2007), so the information is a bit redundant.

Makinen, TM et al. 2009. Cold temperature and low humidity are associated with increased occurrence of respiratory tract infections. Respiratory Medicine 103(3):456-462.

Mourtzoukou, EG. and Falagas, ME. 2007. Exposure to cold and respiratory tract infections. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 11(9):938-943.

I'll add this to the front page!

thanks!!!

[Sprite09]

I'll add this to the front page!

thanks!!!See told ya.

Also wet hair can give you Aids.

[farkaland]

See told ya.

Also wet hair can give you Aids.

lol told me what?

the beauty of science is that at one moment in time you are right, but as more and more research is done, you could be proven wrong

better to keep an open mind :P

[nuberific]

Probably the best post on this thread so far in terms of making a specific point and gathering rigorous evidence as support (as opposed to getting pneumonia from a wet head....)

Anyways, p=0.055 is not statistically significant. It's close, but it's .005 off :razz:.

And the issue of cold temperature vs. upper respiratory tract infection is definitely hotly debated. While I'm too indisposed at the moment to really read those two papers, it'd be interesting to know whether they correlated URI infection with indoor temperature as an independent variable, or whether they correlated it to seasonal outdoor temperature trends.

One interesting thing to note: flu season in Australia occurs around August ;).

You bring up a great point. That paper did not consider indoor air temperatures and only discussed the changes in average outdoor temperature prior to the onset of infection. I assume they assumed average indoor temperature was was essentially the same through all the samples.

But I did some more digging and Johnson and Eccles (2005) found that the direct cooling of peoples' feet in 10 degree Celsius water for 20 minutes caused an onset of cold symptoms (p=0.047, statistically significant).

Johnson, C and Eccles R. 2005. Acute cooling of the feet and the onset of common cold symptoms. Family Practice 22(6):608-613.

Oh and to the OP, I realized I made a typo in the post you quoted in the original post. I said p=0.0004, but it was actually p=0.004 :-0.

[farkaland]

Oh and to the OP, I realized I made a typo in the post you quoted in the original post. I said p=0.0004, but it was actually p=0.004 :-0.

Edited.

Out of curiosity, how are you doing these academic searches? I have access to scientific journals as well, but too lazy ATM....got an orgo exam next week

[M@rk]

Those papers don't tell us much, I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm sure their methodology is flawed. The vast majority of studies have shown no direct correlation between temperature and incidence of colds.

We do get more colds in the winter or when the temperature is cooler because we stay indoors more often, which allows the viruses to spread easily in the contained environment. But not wearing enough clothes in the winter or running around naked after a cold shower will not give you a cold.

I don't think it's even necessary to quote references because there's so many out there. Do a quick pubmed search and you'll find plenty of RCTs and meta-analyses about the topic.

BTW, there's no such thing as marginally statistically significant. It's either yes/no. And even if p<0.05, there's a big difference between statistical significance and clinical significance.

[nuberific]

Edited.

Out of curiosity, how are you doing these academic searches? I have access to scientific journals as well, but too lazy ATM....got an orgo exam next week

ISI Web of Knowledge mostly. I should be doing other things too but I just can't bring myself to do obligatory work. :|

Those papers don't tell us much, I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm sure their methodology is flawed. The vast majority of studies have shown no direct correlation between temperature and incidence of colds.

We do get more colds in the winter or when the temperature is cooler because we stay indoors more often, which allows the viruses to spread easily in the contained environment. But not wearing enough clothes in the winter or running around naked after a cold shower will not give you a cold.

I don't think it's even necessary to quote references because there's so many out there. Do a quick pubmed search and you'll find plenty of RCTs and meta-analyses about the topic.

BTW, there's no such thing as marginally statistically significant. It's either yes/no. And even if p<0.05, there's a big difference between statistical significance and clinical significance.

I'm not saying these papers have been able to prove that the common cold is necessarily linked to cold weather, and I've never studied this topic prior to this thread so I came into it pretty open minded. Some evidence was given for no association, and I always enjoy being on the counter view.

It seems pretty arrogant to simply dismiss any causal relationship and assume their methodology is flawed. I'm not taking this personally, but this topic has gotten me interested and I would indeed enjoy reading some papers disproving the temperature link without taking your word for it (no offence).

[7Stryder7]

great job on this thread; i learned quite a lot ahahaha