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POLITIKOFF

Why shouldn't we take cold showers during a heat wave?

Politiko 2025-07-06 10:39:16
Why shouldn't we take cold showers during a heat wave?
Illustrative photo

Most people think that a cold shower will help them cope with increasingly intense heat waves, but experts warn that this may do more harm than good. Although cold water may provide a sense of relief, the body may not be lowering its temperature, Adam Taylor , professor of anatomy at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, explains to The Conversation.

Taking a cold shower risks bypassing the internal mechanisms that help people cool down. For example, when we get too hot, our brain tells our blood vessels to dilate and allow more blood to flow closer to the surface, which in turn cools us down. However, when we are exposed to cold, the blood vessels near the skin constrict and blood flow decreases.

"So, in terms of cooling the body, taking a cold shower has the opposite effect of what is intended, as less blood will flow to the surface of the skin. This will keep heat in and around the organs instead of removing it ," Taylor points out.

"Basically, you're tricking your body into thinking it doesn't need to lower its temperature, but instead maintains it," he adds.

In a more extreme case, you could inadvertently trigger a cold shock reaction. This can mean dramatic changes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

"It causes the blood vessels in the skin (those that come into contact with the cold water) to constrict rapidly and blood pressure to increase, as the heart has to pump blood with greater resistance. Taylor added, noting that this can be especially dangerous for people with coronary artery disease and other heart health problems."

Sure, cold showers have their benefits. They've been shown to boost immunity to the common cold, improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and boost metabolism. But they may not be the best solution for a heat wave./ CNN

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