- With the arrival of frost, neurologist Olga Milczarek, MD, warns against the serious consequences of walking without a hat.
- Low temperature can lead to cooling of the body, lower immunity and damage to the nerves of the face and skull.
- Find out why trigeminal or facial nerve inflammation may present similarly to a stroke and who is most at risk!
Walking without a hat in the cold is dangerous. The neurologist explains why
We have had real winter in Poland for several days. Snow and bitter frosts probably surprised everyone. There is no point in fooling yourself – we haven’t had such a winter in Poland for many years and it can be said that many of us have become unaccustomed to such frosty weather. Now some people have a problem with what to wear when going outside. Some wrap themselves from head to toe, others do not change their winter wardrobe and often leave the house without a hat despite very low temperatures outside. It turns out that not wearing a hat can have serious health consequences, as neurologist Olga Milczarek, M.D., talks to medonet.pl.
We must remember that hypothermia, i.e. lowering body temperature, facilitates the entry of viruses and bacteria into the body – our immunity decreases.
– notes the neurologist.
Walking in frost or on a cold day without a hat can damage the nerves of the face and skull. […] Just one trip without a hat can lead to this
– warns.
The disastrous consequences of walking without a hat in winter
The neurologist also tells us how the human body reacts to frost and why wearing a hat on cold days is so important. This is due to the shallowly embedded nerves in the head.
The cranial nerves, especially the trigeminal nerve and the facial nerve, which are responsible for our facial expressions and mobility, are located shallowly under the surface of the skin. This makes them very sensitive to low temperatures. Inflammation of the facial nerve may result in, for example, lagging of the eyelid, drooping of the corner of the mouth or even half of the face. These are the symptoms of a stroke, although the causes are of course different, because it is a peripheral inflammation, not affecting the brain, but the nerve, which is completely inflamed.
– explains Olga Milczarek, MD, PhD, and adds information about the symptoms of trigeminal nerve inflammation.
As a result of wind or frost, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve may also occur. This is one of the most important cranial nerves – it is responsible for, among others, for sensation in the face and mouth. When it becomes inflamed, there is a piercing pain. Some say it is as intense as an electric shock. Most often, it passes above the tooth line, sometimes it radiates down to the jaw
– he points out. The neurologist also emphasizes that elderly people and children are most at risk for these health-hazardous effects of walking without a hat during frosts.
