Is it okay to wash your hair when you have a fever?
Jul 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, whether one can wash their hair when having a fever usually depends on the severity of the fever and the patient's overall physical condition. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. During the fever, it is important to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, avoid getting chilled or overexerting oneself, and maintain good lifestyle habits to promote recovery.
Generally speaking, whether one can wash their hair when having a fever usually depends on the severity of the fever and the patient's physical condition. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the cause of the fever, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Here is a detailed explanation:
If the patient has a fever but the body temperature is not extremely high, and their physical condition is relatively good without significant fatigue, dizziness, or other severe discomfort, washing hair is generally acceptable. Washing hair can help clean the scalp, remove oil and dirt, and make the patient feel refreshed.
If the fever is severe, with a body temperature exceeding 39°C, or accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, confusion, or persistent vomiting, washing hair should be avoided. When running a high fever, the body is in a weak state, and washing hair may consume excessive energy or even cause physical discomfort due to cold water stimulation, thereby worsening the condition.
During a fever, it's important to rest adequately, stay hydrated, avoid getting chilled or overexerting oneself, and maintain good habits to promote recovery.
