Doctor reveals whether you can actually catch a cold from being outside when it's chilly

Most of us were warned during our childhood that we'd "catch our death of cold" should we head outdoors in wintry weather without wrapping up warm.

But many question if it is indeed possible to become under the weather from being subjected to cold temperatures. Thankfully, Dr Amir Khan has moved to respond to the theory, providing his medical knowledge and the scientific explanation in response.

Dr Khan took to TikTok to admit that even to this day his mum still calls his GP surgery asking if he has worn a jumper to work. "She says if I go outside in cold weather I will catch a cold - but is she right?" he began in a video.

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"Well, the answer is yes and no," he explained. Dr Khan went on to add that colds are caused by a virus, which of course you can only catch if you're exposed to it. However, he warns that cold weather can affect our bodies' "defence mechanism", meaning they're less effective at "catching and killing" the cold virus before it can infect.

Dr Khan, who also provides medical advice on ITV shows including Lorraine and This Morning, continued: "Normally when a cold virus enters our nose, it activates our nasal cells to release billions of tiny sacks called vesicles that are filled with mucus. These surround and attack the virus before it can cause a major infection."

The system works best when the weather is "warm and moist", the doctor adds, and therefore the problem with cold air is that not only is it cold, it is dry too which has a "negative effect on the essential first line of defence".

"In fact scientists have found cold air can decrease the production of these all-important mucus vesicles by over 40% - and it decreases their quality as well," Dr Khan revealed. "This reduced immune response can mean the virus can stick."

Dozens of TikTok users took to the comments section to share their circumstances, one of which responded: "I was told by doctor the cold air triggered, my asthma, couple days later I was medicated by another doctor, steroids, antibiotics, cold air can cause problems."

Conversely, a second shared: "I love the cold as it is actually better for me as I have COPD, I cannot breathe in our horrid summers!" A third person wrote: "Actually, our mums are right! I have vasomotor rhinitis, which went undiagnosed for years and I bet there is a lot of people out there who have it as well. Cold air makes me really ill!"

And a fourth said: "I don’t agree with this, because if I go out with wet hair or thin jacket and the weather is very cold I will 100% get ill, and same with my two boys, so I tell them to wrap up warm outside."

How to prevent catching a cold

The NHS shares the following advice when it comes to preventing the common cold: "A person with a cold can start spreading it from a few days before their symptoms begin until the symptoms have finished.

The best ways to avoid catching a cold are:

• washing your hands with warm water and soap

• not sharing towels or household items (like cups or children's toys) with someone who has a cold

• not touching your eyes or nose in case you've come into contact with the virus

• staying fit and healthy

The flu vaccine does not prevent colds."