Photo: Bianca

Is it good to sleep with your hair wet?

Though sleeping with wet hair won't give you a cold, Dr. Shah says that it does increase your risk of developing a fungal infection of the scalp. Fungi, such as Malassezia, can lead to conditions like dandruff or dermatitis, according to Shah, who recommends going to sleep with dry hair when possible.

healthline.com - Sleeping with Hair Wet: Is It Bad for Your Health? - Healthline

How do you know when a marriage is over?

"If you're no longer spending any time together, if one or both partners is spending all their time at work, with friends, online — and if feels...

Last updated Nov 7, 2021

What seeds are good for the prostate?

Pumpkin Seeds And Brazil Nuts Pumpkin seeds are especially helpful for BPH, or enlargement of the prostate gland. Just a few ounces a week of...

Last updated Mar 13, 2021

Promotion

We got the lowdown from two doctors on sleeping with wet hair. Here’s what could happen if you do hit the hay with a wet head and how to go about it the right way. Turns out, your mother was wrong — at least about the cold. Sleeping with your hair wet can make you sick, but not the way you think.

Have you skipped a late night shower because you were too tired to blow dry, hearing your mother’s voice in your head telling you that you’ll catch a cold if you sleep with wet hair?

There’s no need to lose sleep over what your mom told you about getting sick by sleeping with wet hair. The risks are pretty minimal, but there are a few you should be aware of before thinking you can hit the hay sopping wet every night.

Getting sick

Catching a cold appears to be the most common concern thanks to folklore and protective mothers and grandmothers. Though they’re usually right in general, they’re wrong about wet hair and colds, according to Dr. Chirag Shah, MD, a board-certified emergency physician and cofounder of Push Health, an online healthcare platform. “There is no evidence that one can catch a cold from going to bed with wet hair,” Shah said. “When one gets a cold, it is due to being infected with a virus.”

Sorry moms.

The common cold doesn’t really have anything to do with being cold, but rather being infected with one of over 200 cold-causing viruses, usually a rhinovirus. The virus enters your body through your nose, mouth, or eyes and is spread through droplets in the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or speaks. You can also catch it by touching a contaminated surface or hand-to-hand contact with an infected person. In the United States, colds are more likely during colder months because of the start of the school year and people spending more time indoors, in close quarters with others.

Fungal infections

Though sleeping with wet hair won’t give you a cold, Dr. Shah says that it does increase your risk of developing a fungal infection of the scalp. Fungi, such as Malassezia, can lead to conditions like dandruff or dermatitis, according to Shah, who recommends going to sleep with dry hair when possible. Along with the fungus naturally present on your scalp, pillows are also a hotbed for fungus. It thrives in a warm environment and a wet pillowcase and pillow provide the ideal breeding ground. An older study on the fungal flora found on bedding discovered anywhere between 4 to 16 species per pillow tested. This included Aspergillus fumigatus, a common species of fungus responsible for causing severe infections in people with weakened immune systems. It can also worsen symptoms of asthma.

Hair breakage

Sleeping with wet hair does impact the hair itself. Along with the inevitability of waking up with some seriously kinked bedhead, you may also do damage to your hair. “Hair is at its weakest when it’s wet. The main risk (other than cosmetic ones) is breakage of hair when tossing and turning while sleeping,” said Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a New York City dermatologist who’s board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology. Mudgil warns: “This is particularly an issue if hair is braided or in a tight updo, which adds more tension to the hair shaft. If you can’t avoid sleeping with wet hair, your best bet is leaving it down.”

Does zinc make your hair gray?

At the same time, zinc helps keep hormone levels balanced, which is one of the essential reasons why it is considered so effective for preventing...

Last updated Sep 7, 2018

Where do females gain weight first?

The typical fat-gain areas for many women are the hips, arms and thighs, giving them what is termed a 'pear-shape'. The other areas where many...

Last updated Feb 1, 2019

Promotion

Who should not drink cacao?

Some individuals are allergic or sensitive to theobromine - it can trigger headaches or migraines in some people. It is best to begin consuming cacao in a smaller quantity (10-20g) if you are hypersensitive or have found that chocolate in the past has triggered a migraine.

selenohealth.com - Cacao and Safety - Cacao Contraindications - Seleno Health

Antidepressants

15-20g dose for anyone taking antidepressants and 5HTP consult health care professional if there are any concerns. Those on MAIO antidepressants should not consume cacao.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Cacao is generally considered safe in pregnancy and during breastfeeding when taken in moderation. We recommend a serving size of 15-20g for those pregnant or breastfeeding.

GERD

It is best to begin consuming cacao in a smaller quantity (10-20g) to assess sensitivity.

IBS

It is best to begin consuming cacao in a smaller quantity (10-20g) to assess sensitivity.

Bleeding Disorders

Consult with a doctor prior to consumption if you have a bleeding disorder or are consuming any related medication.

Children

It is best for children to begin consuming cacao in a smaller quantity to assess sensitivity (15-20g).

Heart Conditions

Consult with a doctor before using cacao and also begin with a lower dose (15-20g).

High Blood Pressure

Consult with a doctor before using cacao and also begin with a lower dose (15-20g).

Low Blood Pressure

Consult with a doctor before using cacao and also begin with a lower dose (15-20g).

Sensitivities (e.g caffeine or stimulant sensitivities)

It is best to begin consuming cacao in a smaller quantity (15-20g) to assess sensitivity.

Medication use

It is best to consult with a doctor about all drugs and supplements you are using or considering, prior to the consumption of cacao.

What tablets help you pee?

These medications include: oxybutynin (Ditropan XL, Oxytrol) tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA) trospium (Sanctura) darifenacin (Enablex) solifenacin...

Last updated Feb 1, 2022

What plant is steroids from?

All steroids are manufactured in cells from the sterols lanosterol (opisthokonts) or cycloartenol (plants). Lanosterol and cycloartenol are derived...

Last updated Dec 3, 2020

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

What two vitamins should not be taken together?

Here are six vitamin combinations you definitely shouldn't take together. Magnesium and calcium/multivitamin. ... Vitamins D, E and K. ... Fish Oil...

Last updated May 24, 2022

Promotion

How do you measure health status?

ROE Indicators. The ROE presents three widely accepted measures to assess trends in health status in the United States: General Mortality, Infant...

Last updated Jul 10, 2019