HOUSTON - Fall weather has arrived!
When temperatures drop, people tend to bring up cold weather myths that have been talked about for generations.
Myth No. 1: Cold weather can give you a cold
Dr. Luis Ostrosky, infectious disease expert at UTHealth/Memorial Hermann, says that’s false.
“The cold actually has very little effect on our immune system or the way our respiratory system works,” he said. “I think when it gets cold, people spend more time indoors together with other people. Then it’s much easier to catch something from somebody else.”
Myth No. 2: Allergies aren’t an issue when it is cold
Ostrosky says cold weather can actually trigger some conditions like asthma.
“My guess is people who have allergies actually do worse during the cold,” he said.
Myth No. 3: You will get sick if you don’t dress warm
Another variation on that claim is you lose the most heat through your head.
“The head myth is huge. You don’t lose more heat from your head than other parts of your body. It doesn’t feel right to feel cold, so it’s a good idea to wear a sweater,” Ostrosky said.