Why are nosebleeds more likely to occur in hot weather?

According to MSc-BS-CKI Nguyen Thi Thuc Nhu, from the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, since the beginning of May, many patients have come for examination due to nosebleeds. The majority are children aged 7-10 years old and elderly adults.

"Currently, we are in the peak of the hot season. This leads to increased body temperature, causing dehydration, affecting the nasal mucosa, and causing congestion that easily leads to nosebleeds. Children and the elderly are particularly affected by the heat due to their weak immune systems, susceptibility to sinusitis, and poor adaptation to harsh conditions," Dr. Nhu shared.

According to doctors, nosebleeds due to heat are very common in the summer, especially in people with sinusitis. This phenomenon is not too serious if the bleeding is stopped properly. However, it is important to handle it correctly to prevent the patient from swallowing blood, which can easily cause vomiting or be mistaken for gastrointestinal bleeding, or aspiration leading to airway obstruction and aspiration pneumonia.

How to deal with a nosebleed

The patient should sit upright with their head slightly tilted forward. Use two fingers to firmly pinch the sides of the nose and breathe through the mouth to stop the bleeding. If blood flows down the throat, release the pressure; do not swallow as this will cause vomiting. Maintain this position for about 5 minutes to allow the blood in the nose to clot. Use a wet cloth to wipe away the blood around the nose, being careful not to wipe inside the nose to avoid touching the injured area and causing the bleeding to resume.

Pinch your nostrils tightly with two fingers and breathe through your mouth to stop the bleeding.

Patients should not tilt their heads back or inhale blood. This can cause blood to flow back into the stomach, leading to vomiting, or be aspirated into the lungs. They should not engage in activity immediately after the bleeding has stopped; instead, they should sit or lie down and rest, limiting strenuous activity for a few days afterward. They should also avoid touching the nose immediately after the bleeding has stopped to prevent it from starting again.

Preventing nosebleeds

To prevent nosebleeds during hot weather, Dr. Thuc Nhu advises people to limit outdoor activities during peak hours of sunlight (from 11 am to 2 pm). When going outside, wear specialized sun-protective clothing that blocks ultraviolet rays but is thin and breathable. Avoid wearing thick, stuffy sun-protective clothing that traps heat, leading to heatstroke or nosebleeds. Limit alcohol consumption, as it irritates the capillaries in the nasal mucosa. Keep homes clean and well-ventilated.

Ho Chi Minh City is experiencing a peak heatwave.

To prevent nosebleeds in children during hot weather, parents should encourage them to drink plenty of water and fruit juice. Instruct children to protect themselves from the sun when outdoors by wearing hats, masks, and avoiding going barefoot. Their diet should include more cooling green vegetables like spinach, water spinach, and amaranth; and limit hot foods like instant noodles and fried foods.

For the elderly, it's advisable to avoid excessive outdoor exposure to the sun, drink plenty of water, and get enough rest. Increase the consumption of green vegetables and fruits in meals. In particular, avoid sleeping in small, stuffy rooms.

"Nosebleeds caused by hot weather are not dangerous, but they can also be a symptom of some underlying medical conditions such as cancer, maxillofacial trauma, sinusitis, etc. Therefore, if nosebleeds occur frequently and repeatedly over two weeks, patients should go to a specialized medical facility for timely examination," advised Dr. Nhu.

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