TRUTH OR MYTH?
Dear HIW,
Is there any truth in the tale that lying or sleeping on damp ground will give you rheumatism? And if so, why? I don’t believe there is, because I have spent a lot of time doing this with no ill effects!
Stephen Conn
The idea that dampness can impact your joints largely comes from some arthritis sufferers noticing changes in their condition matching the weather. However, there is no scientific evidence to confidently link joint pain and dampness. This would be unlikely due to the nature of your skin. Your skin serves as a barrier between joints and the damp ground, preventing moisture from having an impact. Other elements of damp weather, such as changes in air pressure, could be the culprit of some people’s increased pain, as this can create inflammation.