QuickCheck: Does sleeping with wet hair make you sick?

DON'T go to bed with your hair still wet – it's the age-old advice of mothers everywhere, and a warning that many still take as gospel.

However, is it true that sleeping with wet hair will make you fall sick, or is this just superstition?

VERDICT:

SOMEWHAT TRUE

Going to bed without letting your hair dry can be the catalyst for a myriad of problems, but it does not give one a cold or the flu, contrary to popular belief.

The common cold and flu are viral infections. As such, the only way you can come down with the illness is if you are in contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.

Wet hair, especially in a cold environment, can cause one to feel uncomfortable. This discomfort may be misconstrued as “feeling unwell” or ill. However, it won't make you more susceptible to catching a virus.

While wet hair itself does not cause you to fall sick, it can contribute to the growth of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria.

This is because a damp scalp provides a moist and warm environment that is conducive to the growth of such organisms.

This can lead to skin and scalp infections, such as ringworm or folliculitis. These infections can cause itching, redness and skin irritation, and can also spread to other parts of the body.

What’s even yuckier is that microorganisms can continue to propagate on your pillowcase and inside the pillow. Double headache!

Even if you manage to avoid a bacterial or fungal infection, there is some evidence to suggest that going to bed with wet hair is bad for your skin.

When your hair is wet, it transfers water to the skin on your face, neck and shoulders. As this water evaporates, it draws some moisture out of your skin with it, leading to dryness and flakiness. This is especially problematic for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema.

Hair is also more brittle when wet, making it susceptible to damage. If you go to bed with wet hair, the friction of your head against the pillowcase as you sleep can contribute to hair breakage or frizzing.

While the common old wives’ tale is not entirely accurate, it does seem like mother knows best after all!

Sources:

1. https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2022/10/29/myth-or-truth-going-out-with-wet-hair-will-make-you-sick

2. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-faqs/is-it-bad-to-sleep-with-wet-hair

3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-it-bad-to-sleep-with-wet-hair

4. https://www.healthline.com/health/sleeping-with-hair-wet