MONKEY CAP AND OTHER WINTER MYTHS

It is that time of the year when we spend most of our time snuggled up in a blanket, after having piled on layers of warm clothing. Growing up in a Bengali family in the winters of Lucknow we were suddenly remained of the health hazards of cold by our parents, who had spent their youth in the hot and sultry Kolkata and Dhaka. The moment the temperature dropped down to 20°C, doting Bengali moms mummify the apples of their eyes under layers of sweaters and bandor toopis (monkey caps), lest they catch a cold!  Bengalis keep themselves warm by chanting 'kee sheeth kee sheeth' (how cold!). The more the number of times they repeat it, the warmer they feel. This is exactly why the Monkey Cap, a Bengali's armour against winter, that covers the entire face and the scalp, keeps the mouth and eyes free from any obstruction to the chant ‘kee sheeth ke sheeth’. Add to this a wrap around Kashmiri shawl and you have a typical Bengali bhodrolok and bhodro-mahila! But surprisingly how the winter disappears along with the shawl and the cardigan only to show the Benaroshi Shari and the golden jewelry in a winter wedding is a mystery yet to be solved!  

While the winter season may be great for indulging in some pleasant activities, there are also a lot of general myths related to cold weather and its effect on our health, and if you are a Bengali you have had it! Right from your childhood you have worn that monkey cap and that grey muffler because winter is dangerous!! 

Myth 1: Cold air gives you a cold

It is assumed widely that people get sick from being cold. So does cold weather or a drop in outside temperature actually make you catch a cold? There is no certain answer to that. You must understand, though, that germs make you sick, not cold temperatures. 

The fact that it’s cold outside doesn't mean that someone's going to get a cold. Since the weather is changing outside some infections will become more common in winter but just as the winter, the summer too has its share of infections. Researchers also suggest that since during winter people tend to stay indoors more and are huddled together in closer proximity to people, the likelihood of germs being spread is higher.

Some viruses, particularly influenza, do thrive in cooler temperatures, and thus it is advisable to get the flu shot for better safety. 

Myth 2: Sports and exercise outdoors is dangerous when it’s cold

For heaven’s sake, they hold Winter Olympics in the snow, don’t they? The finest and the fittest athletes participate in it, are they getting sick? Yes, exercising during the peak winter season can be cumbersome, but it is not harmful if you are dressed properly for the weather. If you are healthy, and have no significant health issues, and are used to exercising outside during the winter when it’s cold, in truth, there’s really no temperature that is too cold to exercise — if you’re dressed warmly.

People have successfully gone on expeditions to the North and South Poles and have swum across the English Channel. Thus, cold weather is not a barrier to performing physical activity. However, under extremely cold temperatures, adequate precautions should be taken.

Myth 3: Vitamin C helps fight cold

Vitamin C is often hailed as a great natural remedy for fighting colds. While Vitamin C is vital for building your immunity, there is conflicting evidence on its ability to prevent a cold. It is true that relatively high doses of Vitamin C can help lessen the duration of a cold. There is not substantial research, however, to suggest that it will offer protection against getting a cold. Having a nutritious diet rich in all kinds of nutrients and minerals will be the perfect way of protecting your body during the cold season rather than depending unduly on Vitamin C.

Myth 4: You lose all your body heat through your head

This is perhaps a typical Bengali myth and hence the “monkey cap”! The monkey cap reminds the bhadrolok of his mom! Every time he yearns for his Maa's warmth, he slips his head inside its womb. Not just the bandor toopi, but also Boroline and Gelusil that symbolise tender motherly

love squeezed in a tube or a bottle, protecting Bengalis from all ills and germs. Most of us frantically cover our heads during the cold weather. While there is nothing wrong with taking precautions for your head from the cold, you shouldn’t go about believing this heat-loss myth blindly anymore. 

The head accounts for only about 9% of the body’s surface area. The heat loss is in proportion to the extent of skin that is exposed. So, for instance, if you are out stuck in the cold weather fully clothed and your head is exposed, then obviously the bulk of the body heat will be lost through your head because the rest of your body is protected. Your head is just another extremity, and it's susceptible to cold and heat loss. Sure you should wear a hat or a cap, but the head doesn't lose any more heat than any other part of your body.

Myth 5: You don’t get dehydrated in winter

Dehydration is most commonly thought of as a health concern for the summer season. This is because diarrhea and intestinal infections are more common in summers. However, it can also be a major health risk in cold weather. During winters, sweat evaporates more quickly in the cold air and that can result in dehydration. When we don’t produce sweat, we assume that we aren’t losing fluids as swiftly as we do during proper hot weather. Furthermore, the cold temperature decreases your body’s thirst response which would lead you to drink less water.

Therefore, the safest approach should be to keep an eye out on how much fluid you lose during wintertime and ensure that you drink adequate liquids throughout the season. And how do you know your fluid intake is adequate? The urine you produce should be colourless and not yellow!

Myth 6: Drinking alcohol keeps you warm

On drinking alcohol a lot of us feel our cheeks getting flushed. That makes it feel like the entire body has been warmed up. According to experts, though, alcohol merely widens the blood vessels (vaso-dilatation) and does not warm the entire body. In fact, alcohol hinders your body's ability to withstand winter air because it decreases the core body temperature, thereby increasing the risk of hypothermia. Spirits divert the blood away from your core toward your skin. While this creates a warm and pleasant sensation it also harms your body’s overall temperature regulation.

So while you can, of course, have alcohol during winter, be careful with the amount you consume and don’t expect it to magically keep you warm against the chill.

Myth 7: You don’t need sun-protection in winter

It’s common for most of us to discard our sunscreen lotion bottles during the winter season. It is only to be used in the summers, right? Well, not really. The piercing UV rays of the sun can cause damage to your skin even when it is winter. In fact, snow can produce more UV damage to the skin as its reflective surface accentuates the harmful rays of the sun. This increases the risk of long-term skin damage and sunburn. Furthermore, you aren’t safe even if you are sitting at home during winter, as UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin, come right through the window.

It would hence be prudent to apply a good broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 during the winter months as well.