After drinking alcohol, I took a bath and woke up with a crooked mouth, but it wasn't a stroke.

A 47-year-old man living in Hanoi was hospitalized with half of his face numb, his eyes unable to close, and his mouth crooked.

Man's face paralyzed after bathing at night - Photo: BSCC

Mouth distorted from bathing after drinking alcohol

Doctor Doan Du Manh, a member of the Vietnam Vascular Association, who directly examined the patient, said that the patient had drunk alcohol with friends the night before. Even though he got home late, he took a shower and went to bed immediately. When he woke up the next morning, he felt numbness in half of his face, his right eye could not close, tears were flowing continuously, and his mouth was crooked.

"The patient came to the clinic in a state of panic, fearing a stroke. However, through clinical examination and imaging tests, we determined that this was peripheral nerve 7 damage due to sudden cold exposure," said Dr. Manh.

Peripheral facial nerve palsy, also known as "facial paralysis", is a condition of loss or reduction of facial muscle movement, causing facial deformity, difficulty in communication, eating and drinking, and can leave sequelae affecting aesthetics.

Dr. Manh said that bathing at night, especially after drinking alcohol, increases the risk of damage to the 7th cranial nerve.

When drinking alcohol, blood vessels dilate and body temperature changes. If exposed to cold water suddenly, blood vessels can constrict strongly, causing blood circulation disorders and affecting the nervous system.

"The change in temperature is too rapid for the body to adapt, causing damage to peripheral nerves, leading to temporary or prolonged facial paralysis," said Dr. Manh.

Why shouldn't you take a bath after drinking alcohol?

Dr. Manh also warned that even taking a warm bath after drinking alcohol is not safe. Many people mistakenly believe that warm water helps relax the body after drinking alcohol. But in fact, warm water dilates blood vessels, causing alcohol to be absorbed into the blood more quickly, leading to more severe drunkenness.

At the same time, bathing in warm water also causes the body to lose more water, increasing the risk of low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting.

Not only facial paralysis, bathing after drinking alcohol can also cause stroke.

According to Dr. Manh, alcohol temporarily increases blood pressure.

If you take a bath immediately after drinking alcohol, the sudden change in temperature can stimulate blood vessels to constrict or dilate excessively, increasing the risk of stroke or heart attack.

"We have received many cases of patients having strokes after bathing at night. This is an extremely dangerous habit that many people still ignore," he warned.

Doctor Manh recommends not bathing after 10pm, especially after drinking alcohol.

"If you feel uncomfortable after drinking alcohol, you can wipe your body with a warm towel instead of bathing directly. This helps avoid the risk of sudden temperature changes affecting the nervous system," Dr. Manh instructed.

In addition, this expert also emphasized the importance of protecting neurological health by avoiding exposure to cold wind after bathing, not letting fans or air conditioners blow directly on the face, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

"Early detection and timely treatment can help limit serious complications. In many cases, late intervention can leave long-term sequelae, greatly affecting daily life and activities," Dr. Manh warned.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/uong-ruou-ve-roi-di-tam-sang-day-mieng-meo-xech-nhung-khong-do-dot-quy-20250321144931298.htm