Headaches from hairdryers: Is there any truth to this?

The warm foehn wind brings mild temperatures and sunshine to the mountains in winter. However, the downdraft is also said to bring symptoms of weather sensitivity, such as headaches. Is there any truth to this?

First of all: This is not about the hairdryer for your hair. “Föhn” also refers to a weather phenomenon that is particularly well-known in the Alps. This downdraft also ensures warm temperatures in other mountain ranges, especially in the winter months.

However, according to popular belief, the foehn is also to blame for headaches and nervousness. Typical symptoms of sensitivity to the weather. But is that really true? In this article, we will tell you how the foehn is created, where it often occurs and whether it can actually lead to headaches and the like.

Foehn wind – what is it?

Originally, the word foehn meant a warm, dry, downward-blowing wind. This is particularly common on the northern side of the Alps, where temperatures are too high for the time of year, especially in winter.

Today, the word “foehn” is generally used for all winds that, according to the German Weather Service, meet the following criteria:

• The wind flows over a mountain range.
• When flowing over the mountains, the wind is directed downwards on the leeward side.
• These downward movements are accompanied by a sharp rise in temperatures.
• On the windward side of the mountains, the air masses become blocked: upward movements of the wind occur, which are accompanied by clouds and precipitation.
• On the peaks of the mountains in question there is extremely strong wind, so-called “foehn storm”.
• Lenticular clouds can also often be seen over the mountains.

The explanation is very simple: when air masses cross a mountain range, they cool down considerably on one side as they rise and then heat up extremely quickly again on the other side as they sink. Clouds and patches of fog get stuck on the front of the mountains as the air rises and the weather is therefore usually sunny and dry on the back side, where the foehn wind descends.

Such winds also occur, for example, in the low mountain ranges of Germany.

Where in Germany is there foehn wind?

The foehn usually occurs directly in the Alpine regions and in winter sometimes brings temperatures of up to 20 degrees Celsius to the foehn valleys. Very rarely, however, the foehn makes it as far as Munich and brings sunshine, warm air and clear visibility. In such weather conditions, you can even see from Munich to the Alps, which are a hundred kilometers away.

Foehn can also occur in Germany’s low mountain ranges: for example, on the northern side of the Eifel and Bergisches Land, but also in the Sauerland and Harz, the warm downdraft occurs. However, there are local differences in the name of the wind. It is not called “foehn” everywhere.

Does hairdryer cause headaches?

According to surveys, around 50% of Germans are sensitive to the weather. This means that these people can react to changes in the weather with, for example, tiredness, listlessness, nervousness or headaches.

The foehn often brings with it a change in the weather. The air is usually drier and warmer and the sun suddenly shines. For people who are sensitive to the weather, this change in the weather can be stressful. The assumption that the foehn wind can directly lead to such discomfort is controversial and not scientifically proven. It is more likely that it is the accompanying changes in the weather that cause problems for those affected, not the wind itself. The exact connections between the foehn and sensitivity to the weather have not yet been sufficiently clarified.

What can you do about sensitivity to the weather?

Half of Germans complain of physical discomfort when the weather changes. Older people are particularly affected because their circulatory system can no longer adapt as well to changes in the environment. Typical symptoms of weather sensitivity can be:

• Headaches and migraines
• Joint pain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Tiredness and exhaustion
• Sleep disorders
• dizziness

The exact connection between weather and physical well-being is not yet clear. However, there are some tips for dealing with weather sensitivity that have proven effective in practice and may help you with such complaints:

1. Get outside

Exercising in the fresh air can help your body better cope with natural changes in environmental conditions.

2. Drink enough

Lack of fluids can lead to physical discomfort or even exacerbate problems that also occur with sensitivity to the weather. Therefore, drink at least 1.5 liters of water or sugar-free drinks a day. If it is hot or you sweat a lot, you should drink even more.