Can Scarves Protect You From Becoming Poorly This Winter?

The cold and flu season is fully upon us and there never seems to be enough tissues to stop our nose from dripping or cough sweets to ease our throats. One way to reduce chances of getting ill this winter, however, is with a simple fashion accessory – the scarf.

1) Colds don’t like colder temperatures

It turns out that as well as most of us not liking the chill, colds don’t either. So, wearing a stylish scarf doesn’t just keep you nice and toasty, it wards away cold viruses.

According to a study from Yale University, the immune response to the common cold is less at a lower temperature compared with core body temperature.

“The lower the temperature, it seems the lower the innate immune response to viruses,” Akiko Iwasaki, the study’s senior author and Yale professor of immunobiology stated.

2) Acts as a barrier

We’re all used to wearing masks to protect against the spread of Covid-19, but scarves were the original form of protection. Create a barrier against super-spreaders by pulling your scarf over your mouth and nose when you are near people who are sneezing or coughing, and you will lower your risk of getting ill.

3) Protect against bitter cold

With temperatures having plummeted to minus figures over the last few days, dropping to -15.6C in Aberdeenshire, it has never been so important to cover up.

They protect your neck, nose, and chin from the icy conditions, as well as prevent yourself inhaling bitterly cold air.

For different types of winter scarves to keep you warm, take a look here.