{"product_id":"can-chilly-feet-trigger-cold-symptoms-a-2005-study-revisits-an-old-wives-tale","title":"Can Chilly Feet Trigger Cold Symptoms? A 2005 Study Revisits an Old Wive's Tale","description":"\u003cp\u003eCan chilling your feet really \"catch a cold\"? A 2005 study from Cardiff University put this long-standing folk belief to the test. The researchers chilled the feet of 180 healthy volunteers in 10°C water for 20 minutes and found that 14.4% of those who were chilled reported developing cold symptoms over the next 4\/5 days, compared with only 5.6% of a control group. While chilling did not cause immediate symptoms, it was linked to a delayed increase in both self-reported colds and symptom scores. These results offer some scientific support for the idea that cold feet may trigger the common cold, though the exact reason remains under investigation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch1\u003eCan Chilly Feet Trigger Cold Symptoms? A 2005 Study Revisits an Old Wive's Tale\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ddn-key-points\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#background\"\u003eBackground: Why this old question still matters\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#methods\"\u003eStudy methods: How the \"cold feet\" theory was tested\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#findings\"\u003eKey findings: What the data showed\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#clinical\"\u003eClinical implications: What this means for patients\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#limitations\"\u003eLimitations: What the study could not prove\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#recommendations\"\u003eRecommendations: Practical takeaways\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ddn-faq\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source\"\u003eSource information\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- ddn:keypoints:start --\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ddn-key-points\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn a 2005 study of 180 healthy volunteers, 14.4% of those with chilled feet reported a cold within 4–5 days, versus 5.6% of controls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChilling feet did not cause immediate symptoms; the increase in self-reported colds and symptom scores was delayed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe study did not test for viruses, so it cannot prove chilling caused infection; symptoms were self-reported.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParticipants who developed a cold after chilling reported more colds per year, suggesting a possible 'common cold constitution'.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe study was a pilot in mostly young university students during winter, so results may not apply to everyone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- ddn:keypoints:end --\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"background\"\u003eBackground: Why this old question still matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe common cold is a mild, self-limiting illness that usually affects only the upper respiratory tract. It is not diagnosed by a doctor in most cases; rather, people diagnose themselves based on a familiar set of symptoms: nasal stuffiness, sneezing, throat irritation, and sometimes a mild fever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor centuries, folklore has linked catching a cold to being chilled — especially through wet clothes, wet hair, or cold feet. This idea appears throughout clinical writings from the last 300 years. Yet when scientists deliberately exposed volunteers to cold viruses and cold environments in earlier laboratory studies, they failed to show that cold exposure increased susceptibility to infection. Because of these negative results, modern virology textbooks often dismissed the idea as \"erroneous folklore.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the belief is so widespread and so long-standing that researchers decided to look more carefully. An important clue came from a 1919 study by Mudd and Grant, who showed that cooling the body surface causes a reflex narrowing (vasoconstriction) of blood vessels in the nose and a drop in the temperature of the nasal lining. They speculated this could reduce the airways' defense against infection. Later, Sir Christopher Andrewes suggested that cold exposure might trigger a cold only in people already carrying a latent (hidden) cold virus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2002, researcher Ron Eccles built on these ideas. He proposed that when common cold viruses are circulating in the community, some infected people have \u003cem\u003esub-clinical infections\u003c\/em\u003e — meaning they carry the virus but have no symptoms. Acute cooling of the body surface, such as chilly feet, could trigger a reflex in the nose and upper airways that inhibits respiratory defenses. That inhibition could turn a symptom-free infection into a full-blown clinical cold. The current study was designed to test this hypothesis in healthy, symptom-free volunteers during winter, when cold viruses naturally circulate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"methods\"\u003eStudy methods: How the \"cold feet\" theory was tested\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eParticipants\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe researchers recruited 180 healthy adult volunteers from the student population at Cardiff University. All procedures took place at the Common Cold Centre, Cardiff, in a room kept at 18–25°C. Participants were not allowed to smoke or eat during the study sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVolunteers were excluded if they had an acute upper respiratory tract infection in the previous two weeks, or if they had a history of seasonal or perennial rhinitis (frequent allergies causing a runny or blocked nose). Of 188 people assessed, 8 were excluded before randomization (4 did not meet the inclusion criteria and 4 refused). The remaining 180 were split evenly into two groups of 90.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eChill versus control procedures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach participant was randomly assigned to one of two procedures, using a computer-generated randomization list. Randomization was \"stratified\": participants who reported 0–3 colds in the previous year were assigned to their group from the beginning of the randomization list, while those with 4 or more colds were assigned from the end. This helped balance the two groups based on cold history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill group:\u003c\/strong\u003e Participants removed their shoes and socks and placed their feet in a bowl containing 9–10 liters of water at 10°C for 20 minutes. The water temperature was monitored continuously, and ice was added if needed to maintain 10°C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControl group:\u003c\/strong\u003e Participants kept their shoes and socks on and placed their feet in an empty bowl for 20 minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm water was deliberately not used as a control, because warm water could itself alter nasal blood flow and confuse the results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSymptom diaries and measurements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore and immediately after the procedure, participants were asked whether they were suffering from a cold and to score five symptoms on a scale of 0 to 3 (0 = not present, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRunny nose\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBlocked nose\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSore throat\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSneezing\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCough\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the next 4\/5 days, they kept a daily diary. They recorded the same symptom scores and noted whether they believed they were suffering from a cold. Diary checkpoints were: day 1 PM, days 2 and 3 AM\/PM, day 4 AM, and then at a second visit on day 4 or 5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNasal airflow was also measured as a \"Nasal Partitioning Ratio\" (NPR) using a spirometer before the procedure and on day 4\/5. However, these measurements proved too variable to provide meaningful data, so they are not reported in the paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a pilot study, so no formal power calculation was performed. The researchers predicted that 29 chilled participants and 9 control participants would develop colds, based on estimates of how many sub-clinical infections become clinical. They used standard statistical tests (Mann-Whitney, Chi-squared, Fisher Exact) and considered results significant when the p-value was less than 0.05.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal symptom scores for days 1 through 4\/5 were calculated (maximum possible score = 120). These totals were also analyzed as \"dichotomous\" data: a total score of 0–8 meant no cold, while 9–120 meant a cold was present. A participant was considered to have experienced a cold if they reported \"suffering from a cold\" on any diary day after the test procedure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"findings\"\u003eKey findings: What the data showed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDemographics: The two groups were well matched\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth groups were similar at the start of the study. The control group had a median age of 20 (range 18–43), and the chill group also had a median age of 20 (range 18–39); this difference was not significant (p = 0.598). There were 29 men and 61 women in the control group, compared with 25 men and 65 women in the chill group (p = 0.515). The median number of colds per year was 2.0 in both groups (control range 1–10, chill range 1–8; p = 0.859).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAcute (immediate) effects: No sudden symptoms\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe test procedures did not cause any immediate change in symptom scores. In the control group, the average total symptom score went from 0.02 (standard deviation 0.15) before the procedure to 0.13 (SD 0.37) immediately after. In the chill group, it went from 0.07 (SD 0.29) to 0.21 (SD 0.51). The difference between the groups was not significant (p = 0.62). In other words, chilling feet did not instantly produce cold symptoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDelayed effects: Colds appeared within days\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story changed over the following days. The average daily symptom scores were higher in the chilled group on every day after the procedure. The mean total symptom score for days 1–4\/5 was significantly higher in the chill group at 5.16 (SD 5.63, n = 87) compared with 2.89 (SD 3.39, n = 88) in the control group (p = 0.013).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen total scores were analyzed as \"cold present\" versus \"cold absent,\" 26 out of 90 chilled participants (28.8%) met the symptom-score threshold for a cold, compared with only 8 out of 90 controls (8.8%). This difference was highly significant (p = 0.001).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most direct patient-relevant finding was in self-reported colds. During the 4\/5 days after the procedure, \u003cstrong\u003e13 of 90 chilled participants (14.4%) said they were suffering from a cold\u003c\/strong\u003e, compared with \u003cstrong\u003e5 of 90 control participants (5.6%)\u003c\/strong\u003e. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.047).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSex differences: None found\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere was no meaningful difference between men and women in the development of colds. Overall, 9.3% of men and 10.3% of women reported a cold after the procedures (p = 0.828). Within the chilled group specifically, 4 of the 13 who developed colds were male (31%) and 9 were female (69%). This simply reflected the proportions of men (28%) and women (72%) in the chill group, so it was not significant (p = 0.749, Fisher Exact).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCold history: Frequent cold sufferers may be extra sensitive\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere was no baseline difference in cold frequency between the two test groups. However, when both groups were combined, participants who developed a cold after the procedures had a history of significantly more colds per year. The abstract of the study notes this difference was significant at p = 0.007. The researchers reported that those who developed a cold typically had a median of 3 colds per year (range 1–10), while those who did not develop a cold had a median of 2 colds per year (range 2–8).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis finding suggests there may be a subgroup of people with a \"common cold constitution\" — that is, certain individuals are simply more susceptible to developing cold symptoms each year, and may also be more likely to respond to chilling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"clinical\"\u003eClinical implications: What this means for patients\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study provides some evidence supporting the old saying that getting chilled — especially chilled feet — may trigger cold symptoms in susceptible people. The mechanism, as proposed by the researchers, is a reflex response: when cold receptors on the skin are activated (such as by cold water on the feet), blood vessels in the nose and upper airways constrict. This constriction may inhibit the local immune defense system, allowing a virus that was already present in a symptom-free, sub-clinical form to multiply and produce symptoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportantly, the study does \u003cem\u003enot\u003c\/em\u003e claim that cold exposure alone gives you a cold. Instead, the idea is that you may already be carrying a cold virus without knowing it. The chill could \"tip the balance\" and turn that hidden infection into a visible cold. This would explain why people often say, \"I caught a cold because I got chilled\" — they may not realize they were already infected before their feet got cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor patients, the practical takeaway is this: if you are prone to colds, keeping your feet warm in cold weather might reduce the chance of developing symptoms. This is especially relevant in winter, when cold viruses circulate widely and many people have symptom-free infections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"limitations\"\u003eLimitations: What the study could not prove\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a pilot study, and it has important limitations that patients should understand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo virology testing.\u003c\/strong\u003e The researchers did not test for actual cold viruses, so they cannot prove that participants were truly infected with a respiratory virus, nor that symptoms were caused by infection rather than by the chilling itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-reported symptoms.\u003c\/strong\u003e Colds were diagnosed by participants, not by doctors. Someone who believes in the folklore about chills could be biased toward reporting symptoms after having their feet chilled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePossible chance finding.\u003c\/strong\u003e The p-value for the main self-reported cold outcome was 0.047, just below the 0.05 cutoff. However, the two other symptom-based analyses were more strongly significant (p = 0.013 and p = 0.001), which makes chance less likely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimited generalizability.\u003c\/strong\u003e Participants were mostly young university students, so results may not apply equally to older adults or children.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal timing.\u003c\/strong\u003e The study was conducted from October 2003 to March 2004, during winter when colds are naturally common. Some of the colds may have been due to natural exposure, not the chill procedure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo objective airflow data.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nasal airflow measurements (NPR) were tried but were too variable to use, so \"objective\" confirmation of nasal congestion was not possible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"recommendations\"\u003eRecommendations: Practical takeaways\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on this study, patients who are concerned about catching colds may wish to consider the following:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep your feet warm in cold weather.\u003c\/strong\u003e This study specifically suggests that cooling the feet could trigger cold symptoms in some people. Warm socks and appropriate footwear are simple measures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRemember that colds are viral infections.\u003c\/strong\u003e The best way to prevent a cold is still to avoid exposure to cold viruses — wash your hands regularly and avoid close contact with people who are actively sneezing and coughing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIf you are prone to frequent colds, be extra careful.\u003c\/strong\u003e The study found that people who developed colds after chilling also reported more colds each year. This \"common cold constitution\" group might be more sensitive to cold exposure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDo not assume a chill is the only cause.\u003c\/strong\u003e Chilling may turn a hidden infection into a visible one, but you likely had a virus in your system already.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for future research.\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors call for further studies to determine whether the cold symptoms linked to chilling are truly associated with confirmed respiratory infection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- ddn:faq:start --\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ddn-faq\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan getting cold feet actually give me a cold?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a 2005 study of 180 healthy volunteers, 14.4% of those whose feet were chilled in 10°C water for 20 minutes reported cold symptoms over the next 4–5 days, compared with 5.6% of a control group. The researchers suggest chilling may trigger a cold only in people already carrying a hidden virus, not cause one by itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat did the study find about cold symptoms after chilling feet?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study found that 14.4% of chilled participants reported suffering a cold in the following days, versus 5.6% of controls. When symptom scores were used, 28.8% of the chilled group met the threshold for a cold, compared with 8.8% of controls. Chilling did not cause immediate symptoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDid the study prove that cold feet cause colds?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The study did not test for actual cold viruses, so it cannot prove participants were infected. Symptoms were self-reported, and people who believe in the folklore might be biased. The main result was just below the significance cutoff, though two other symptom analyses were stronger. The study was also done in winter when colds are common.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat can I do to reduce my chance of cold symptoms?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study suggests keeping your feet warm in cold weather may help if you are prone to colds. However, colds are viral infections, so the most effective way to prevent them is still to avoid exposure: wash your hands regularly and avoid close contact with people who are actively sneezing and coughing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy might chilling trigger a cold if I already have a virus?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResearchers propose that cooling the skin activates a reflex that narrows blood vessels in the nose and upper airways. This may inhibit local immune defenses, allowing a virus already present in a symptom-free, sub-clinical form to multiply and produce symptoms. So the chill may 'tip the balance' rather than cause the infection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan a second opinion help if I keep getting colds after my feet get chilled?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA second opinion is reasonable when recurring cold symptoms after chilling are being managed without clarity about whether a hidden viral infection is involved. The chilled-feet research did not test for actual cold viruses, so symptoms were self-reported and not confirmed as infection. A second opinion can review whether your pattern fits a tendency toward frequent colds, since people who developed colds after chilling reported more colds each year. Diagnostic Detectives Network provides independent expert second opinions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ddn:faq:end --\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"source\"\u003eSource Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis patient-friendly article is based on the following peer-reviewed research:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal title:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acute cooling of the feet and the onset of common cold symptoms\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Claire Johnson and Ronald Eccles\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJournal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Family Practice, 2005; Volume 22, pages 608–613\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxford University Press\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDOI:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10.1093\/fampra\/cmi072\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u003c\/strong\u003e The study was funded by Cardiff University. The sponsor had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or publication.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approved by the South East Wales Local Research Ethics Committee.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e None declared.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: This patient-friendly article is based on peer-reviewed research. It is intended for educational purposes and should not replace individual medical advice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47709984358556,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/diagnosticdetectives.com\/pt\/products\/can-chilly-feet-trigger-cold-symptoms-a-2005-study-revisits-an-old-wives-tale","provider":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}