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Thống Nhất Hospital in HCM City. Many people are coming here with respiratory and skin illnesses caused by the hot weather. – VNA Photo

​HCM CITY – The warm weather in HCM City in recent days has caused a high incidence of respiratory and skin diseases, especially for people with underlying conditions.

Dr Trương Anh Vũ, head of Thống Nhất Hospital’s medical examination department, said every year when the weather changes and during the hot season, there is an increase in the number of elderly patients.

Since the beginning of the hot season in February there has been a 20 per cent increase in patient numbers since before Tết, he said.

On average, the outpatient department gets 2,200 – 2,500 patients a day, most of them with respiratory, ear, nose and throat (ENT), and heart diseases.

Tâm Anh General Hospital said the number of patients coming with respiratory-related diseases has also increased, including both children and adults.

Dr Nguyễn Thị Hương of the hospital’s ENT department said it gets over 200 cases a day, 25 per cent higher than before Tết, mainly with acute rhinopharyngitis, tonsillitis and acute rhinosinusitis.

She attributed it to people returning to HCM City after visiting central and northern provinces, and their body being unable to adapt to the change in weather, which causes nose and throat diseases.

She said the hot, muggy weather makes people tired, and many eat poorly, weakening the immune system and posing a risk of illness.

However, many self-treat respiratory diseases with antibiotics and traditional remedies, and the lack of prompt treatment worsens their condition, and subsequently the treatment becomes more expensive and protracted, she added.

The HCM City Centre for Disease Control said people are prone to problems like sunstroke, heat stroke, dyspnea, and stroke in warm weather due to long exposure to hot conditions, not resting and hydrating and sudden temperature changes.

Seniors, children, women, and people with chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer are more vulnerable.

Workers, farmers, athletes, and others spending long period outdoors are also susceptible.

People easily get skin diseases in hot weather. - Photo courtesy of Tâm Anh General Hospital

Many people in the city are also getting skin diseases due to the weather.

Dr Đặng Thị Ngọc Bích at Tâm Anh General Hospital’s dermatology - skin aesthetics department said since February there has been a rise in the incidence of skin diseases such as dermatitis, rashes and hives.

Dr Trần Vũ Anh Đào of the HCM City Dermatology Hospital said the hot weather causes conditions like blister and eczema.

On average, the hospital receives 100 patients daily with skin diseases.

Sudden changes in weather can have a variety of effects on the skin like increasing its temperature as well as sweat and sebum production, which increase skin sensitivity.

Hot weather also causes pores to expand, making it easier for dirt to penetrate and clog them, causing acne.

Children’ groin, buttock and armpit areas sweat easily and folds in the neck, elbows and legs are often damp, poorly ventilated and unclean, causing heat rash, fungal infections and acne.

Children scratch more when they are itchy, which worsens the condition or causes it to spread to other parts.

Bích said skin diseases are not life-threatening and so are easily overlooked, but, if not treated promptly, some diseases could become chronic affecting one’s life.

When there are symptoms such as severe itching, rashes, redness, and blisters that last longer or worsen, patients need to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment instead of medicating themselves, she said.

The HCM Centre for Disease Control said people could prevent diseases during hot weather by drinking adequate water, avoiding exposure to direct heat, having a healthy diet and rest, and regularly exercising to improve resistance. – VNS