Why this 12-year-old collapsed every time he took a hot bath, doctor reveals the answer
In a part of rural Andhra Pradesh, 12-year-old
Sai Teja
's mornings started like many others: foggy air, piping hot water, and the comfort of a bath that shook off the winter chill. But hidden in this routine was a danger no one saw coming.
Every time hot water touched his head, Sai would feel dizzy, his vision would blur, and before anyone could act, he'd collapse.
What began as occasional fainting turned into episodes of full-body stiffness, unconsciousness, and bruises from sudden falls. His parents, alarmed and confused, watched their otherwise healthy, intelligent son spiral into a mystery they couldn't solve.
Why did no one suspect something serious?
At first, there were all the common guesses.
Was it the sudden heat? A drop in blood pressure? Winter dehydration? Or just a phase? Doctors in nearby clinics chalked it up to 'too hot water' or 'weakness,' suggesting simple tweaks like cooler baths or earlier meals.
But the truth was far more complicated—and dangerously overlooked. It took several falls, a near head injury, and months of unanswered questions before Sai's parents sought a specialist's opinion in Hyderabad.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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At the heart of the diagnosis was Dr Sudhir Kumar, a senior neurologist who didn't dismiss the pattern. After careful observation, Sai underwent an EEG test, which finally gave a name to the fear: Hot Water Epilepsy (HWE).
Unlike regular epilepsy, which can strike without warning, HWE is a reflex epilepsy. That means it gets triggered only by a specific action, in this case, hot water being poured over the head. Strikingly, it's more common than many realise in certain parts of South India, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Hot water epilepsy
Hot Water Epilepsy might sound unusual, but in regions where bathing habits include pouring hot water over the head, especially during winter, cases surface quietly and often go undiagnosed.
The exact cause isn't fully known, but neurologists believe the sudden temperature change on the scalp can overstimulate sensitive neurons in the brain, especially in genetically predisposed individuals. The EEG often shows abnormal spikes in brain activity immediately after exposure.
What's important to know is this: HWE is real, diagnosable, and treatable. It's not a psychological issue or a response to fear—it's a neurological reaction.
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Once Sai was diagnosed, everything changed. He was prescribed mild anti-seizure medication, but what helped more were the lifestyle adjustments. His family was advised to:
Use lukewarm water for bathing
Avoid pouring water directly over the head
Say no to steam rooms or saunas
That was it. No complex treatments. No hospital stays. Just simple steps—rooted in awareness. And it worked
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
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