Why does hot weather cause nosebleeds?

MSc.-MD-CKI Nguyen Thi Thuc Nhu, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that since the beginning of May, many patients have come to the clinic because of nosebleeds. Most of them are children between the ages of 7-10 and the elderly.

"Currently, the weather is at its peak of the hot season. This leads to increased body temperature, dehydration, affecting the nasal mucosa, congestion and nosebleeds. Children and the elderly are the ones most affected by the heat due to weak immunity, 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 well. However, it is necessary to pay attention to proper treatment so that the patient does not swallow blood which can easily cause vomiting or be confused with gastrointestinal bleeding, or choke, leading to airway obstruction causing aspiration pneumonia.

How to deal with nosebleeds

The patient should sit up straight, head slightly tilted forward. Use two fingers to pinch the nostrils and breathe through the mouth to stop the bleeding. If the blood flows down the throat, spit it out, do not swallow it because it will cause vomiting. Maintain this position for about 5 minutes to let the blood in the nose clot. Use a wet towel to wipe the blood around the nose, being careful not to wipe inside the nose to avoid touching the injured area causing the bleeding to flow again.

Use two fingers to pinch your nostrils and breathe through your mouth to stop the bleeding.

The patient should not tilt the head back or inhale the blood. This will cause the blood to flow back into the stomach, causing vomiting, or choking on the lungs. Do not move immediately after stopping the bleeding, instead sit or lie still and rest, and limit heavy work for a few days. Do not touch the nose immediately after stopping the bleeding to avoid re-bleeding.

Preventing nosebleeds

To prevent nosebleeds during hot weather, Dr. Thuc Nhu advises that people should limit going outdoors during peak hours of sunlight (from 11am to 2pm). When going outdoors, wear specialized sun protection clothing that is UV-resistant but thin and airy. Avoid wearing thick, airtight sun protection clothing that causes the body to retain heat, leading to heat shock or nosebleeds. Limit drinking alcohol, which irritates the capillaries in the nasal mucosa. Houses should be kept clean and well-ventilated.

Ho Chi Minh City is experiencing a peak heat wave.

For children, to prevent nosebleeds in hot weather, parents should give their children plenty of water and fruit juice. Instruct children to avoid the sun when going outdoors, such as wearing hats, masks, and not going barefoot. In the diet, increase the intake of cool green vegetables such as Malabar spinach, water spinach, and amaranth; limit the intake of hot foods such as instant noodles and fried foods.

For the elderly, they should not go out in the sun too much, try to drink plenty of water, take time to rest. Increase green vegetables and fruits in meals. Especially do not sleep in small, stuffy rooms.

"Nosebleeds due to heat 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 within two weeks, the patient should go to a specialized medical facility for timely examination," Dr. Nhu advised.

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