Why do we catch a cold when it gets colder?

The warm sweets can be worn again and the supply of handkerchiefs can be replenished, because it is autumn. This season is known for a lot of sniffling and many people catch a cold. Sometimes it seems like this could be because you’ve had a cold, but that’s a myth, according to ENT doctor Dennis Kox.

The biggest temperature change of the year happens in the fall and that takes some getting used to for your nose, Kox explains: “Then your nose has to work harder.” This is because, in addition to filtering, you also need to heat the air you inhale. But that doesn’t mean that a cold will make you catch a cold.

ENT doctor Dennis Kox previously warned against overuse of nasal sprays, as seen in the video above.

An attacker

There is more to do because we are catching cold en masse because we prefer to stay indoors because of the cold. “If you sneeze inside you hurt more people than if you sneeze outside.” Corona is a good example of this, according to the doctor. Then we met outside with friends or family and that made the virus spread so quickly.

During sessions, Kox often talks to people who are not aware of this. “Because they catch flu when it’s cold, people think their thinking is right. In some ways that is not surprising, the word cold also suggests that it is related to cold, but that is not entirely true.

Sniff or snort?

If you have a crowded nose, you can do two things; blowing your nose or picking your nose. Although sniffing doesn’t feel that pleasant and it may not be such a new idea, according to Kox it is better for you. “When you blow it your nose goes out, but you can also blow it into your cavities.” That’s not good for you, because the air can then reach your eardrum. If you blow your nose really hard you can even destroy your eardrum.

When you blow your nose, the snot goes into your stomach just like your food. Kox sees that not everyone likes that idea. “People think dirty snot gets into your body and that’s not good. But it just gets into your stomach and just goes out. So no it’s not bad at all.”

What to do about a cold?

Once you have a cold, there’s not much you can do about it, according to Kox. “Your body has to clear the virus itself, antibiotics don’t help. ” You can reduce symptoms by taking paracetamol for a headache and saline solution for a stuffy nose. “What is also a good help is the face, because the chance of complaints is much less if you have a healthy mind, enjoy sports and eat healthily.”