Experts Warn Cold Showers During Heatwaves Can Be Dangerous

With temperatures soaring to record highs across the East Coast, including New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, many are looking for quick ways to cool down. But experts caution against one popular method: taking a cold shower.

While a blast of icy water might feel instantly refreshing, it can actually be harmful—especially during extreme heat. Experts say cold showers can interfere with your body’s natural cooling process, increasing health risks instead of reducing them.

According to researchers writing for The Conversation, cold water causes blood vessels near the skin to constrict. This reduces blood flow to the skin’s surface and traps heat deep inside the body, particularly around vital organs.

Adam Taylor, a professor of anatomy at Lancaster University, explains: “Jumping into a cold shower does the opposite of what needs to happen. It reduces blood flow to the skin, holding heat in and tricking your body into thinking it needs to conserve heat rather than cool down.”

There’s also the danger of a cold shock response, which can cause a sudden spike in breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure. This is particularly risky for individuals with heart conditions, as the body reacts to the sudden temperature drop by tightening blood vessels and increasing cardiovascular strain.

The National Center for Cold Water Safety warns that this cold shock response can raise the risk of stroke, heart failure, and even death.

Instead of cold showers, experts advise staying indoors in air-conditioned or well-ventilated spaces and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. Keeping your environment cool is far safer and more effective than shocking your system with freezing water.

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