When a fever appears (or affects our children), it is normal to want to reduce it as quickly as possible. However, we must not forget that fever has its own purpose: it is believed that a rise in body temperature stimulates the immune system and kills infectious agents. So there are good reasons to allow it to follow its natural course, at least for some time. However, this does not mean that you want to keep it under control, so that you or your baby can feel the best you can while your immune system does its job. Read this article and learn about some effective home remedies.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cooling the Body
Step 1. Take a warm or warm bath
Start by preparing a warm bath. Immerse yourself in the water and relax as the water temperature slowly drops. The slow reduction of the heat will allow you to gradually cool down at the same time as the water.
The water should not be too cold to prevent the body temperature from dropping too abruptly
Step 2. Perform a treatment with two wet socks
This method is ideal for the night. Take a pair of cotton socks, long enough to cover your ankles, and wet them with cold running water; squeeze them to remove excess liquid before wearing. Also wear a second pair of pure wool socks, they will serve as insulation. Now lie down in bed, cover your feet and body with a blanket and rest until morning.
- As this is caring for a baby, you will most likely have no trouble getting him to cooperate, as he should start feeling fresher within minutes.
- This treatment belongs to the naturopathic tradition. The theory states that cold feet can stimulate circulation and the immune system response. In practice, the body uses heat and over time dries the socks, cooling down accordingly. This treatment is also helpful in relieving chest congestion.
Step 3. Perform a wet towel treatment
Take a hand towel or two and fold them lengthwise. Immerse them in very cold or icy water. Squeeze them to get rid of excess fluid, then wrap them around your head, neck, ankles, or wrists. Just treat one or two areas of the body, no more, like the head and ankles or the neck and wrists, or you could become excessively cold.
Cold or frozen towels will draw heat from your body and consequently reduce its temperature. Once they are dry or not cold enough to give relief, you can wet them again. This treatment can be repeated as often as necessary
Part 2 of 3: Changing Your Diet to Reduce Fever
Step 1. Eat less
Elders used to say "feed a cold, starve a fever," and modern science seems to back up some of the wisdom. It is in fact good not to waste energy on digestion, allowing it to be used to fight the infection that causes the fever.
Step 2. Snack healthy fruit
Prefer berries, watermelons, oranges and melons. Being rich in vitamin C, they will help fight infection and lower fever. They will also keep your body hydrated.
Avoid heavy, fatty, or greasy foods, such as fried foods. Also leave out recipes and ingredients that are too intense or spicy
Step 3. Prefer soups
You can drink regular chicken broth on its own or choose a good prepared chicken soup accompanied by vegetables and rice. Some studies claim that chicken soup has real medicinal properties. Broths and soups, as well as fruit, will help keep your body hydrated.
Also include a good source of easily digestible protein, such as making scrambled eggs or adding a few pieces of chicken to the soup
Step 4. Drink plenty of water
Fever can cause the body to become dehydrated and worsen the patient's condition. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or by taking a specific rehydration solution (e.g. CeraLyte, Pedialyte, etc.). In the latter case, however, consult your doctor first. Be prepared to illustrate all of your (or your baby's) symptoms and describe what you ate and drank. As a child, you will also need to keep track of how often they urinate.
- If you are a breastfeeding woman, do not stop feeding your sick baby. Through your milk you will provide him with energy, water and love.
- The little ones, but not only, might be happy to use greedy popsicles as a source of hydration. In this case, avoid products that are too sugary and prefer completely natural sorbets, popsicles or frozen yogurt. Don't forget to drink plenty of water anyway!
Step 5. Drink herbal tea to relieve your fever
You can buy it ready-made or prepare it yourself. Simply add a teaspoon of dried herbs to each cup of boiling water (250ml). Leave them to infuse for 5 minutes and add honey or lemon of your choice. Avoid milk, as dairy products tend to make congestion worse. For the little ones, use only 1/2 teaspoon of herbs and wait until the water has cooled down sufficiently. Do not give infusions to infants, unless your pediatrician recommends it. Prepare your herbal tea with one of the following herbs:
- Holy basil (regular basil will do, but won't be as effective)
- White willow bark
- Mint
- Calendula
- Officinal hyssop
- Raspberry leaves
- Ginger
- Origan
- thyme
Part 3 of 3: Knowing When to See a Doctor
Step 1. Know when it's time to call your doctor
Body temperature can vary throughout the day, but should normally be around 37 ° C. In the case of infants under 4 months of age who have a rectal temperature of 38 ° C or more it is advisable to contact immediately to the pediatrician. For children of all ages, a rectal temperature of 40 ° C or higher requires an equal immediate medical intervention. Any child 6 months of age or older with a fever of 39.5 ° C will likewise undergo a medical check-up. If your child has both a fever and any of the following symptoms, call your pediatrician or doctor as soon as possible:
- He looks sick or lacks appetite.
- He is picky.
- Show sleepiness.
- It has clear signs of infection (pus, secretions, skin rashes).
- He is the victim of an episode of epilepsy.
- He has sore throat, headache, earache, neck stiffness.
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Additional, albeit rare, signs that immediate medical attention is needed are:
- Crying with high pitched tones or sounds similar to the bark of a seal.
- Difficulty breathing or a bluish tinge around the mouth or fingers or toes.
- Sweating on the top of the head (the soft area called the fontanel).
- Weakness or lack of movement.
Reduce a Fever without Medication Step 10 Step 2. Look for any signs of moderate dehydration
If present, call your doctor for advice, especially if you are a young child. Dehydration could worsen quickly. Symptoms of moderate dehydration include:
- Dry, sticky, or crusted mouth or eyes.
- More sleepiness, tiredness or nervousness than usual.
- Thirst (for newborns, notice if they smack or twitch their lips).
- Poor urination.
- Dry diapers. Newborns should be changed at least every 3 hours so that they do not remain in contact with the wet diaper. A dry diaper 3 hours after the last change could indicate the presence of dehydration. Continue giving him fluids and check after an hour. If the nappy is still dry, call your pediatrician.
- Dark urine.
- Little or no tearing during crying.
- Dry skin (gently pinches the back of the baby's hand, simply by grasping the skin. The skin of a well-hydrated baby is perfectly elastic and therefore tends to immediately return to its position).
- Constipation.
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy.
Reduce a Fever without Medication Step 11 Step 3. Recognize severe dehydration
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor and emergency medical service right away:
- Extreme thirst, nervousness or sleepiness in children and infants (in adults they are identifiable as irritability and confusion).
- Very dry mouth, skin or mucous membranes, or scabs around the mouth or eyes.
- Absence of tearing during crying.
- Dry skin that lacks elasticity to the touch (try pinching it).
- Low urine and darker than common.
- Sunken eyes (identifiable by dark circles).
- In infants: sunken fontanel (soft part on top of the baby's head).
- Fast heart rate and breathing rate.
- Fever.
Reduce a Fever without Medication Step 12 Step 4. Note any febrile seizures in infants
A febrile seizure can occur in infants with a fever. They can be very scary in parents, but they usually disappear very quickly and cause no brain damage or serious consequences. Febrile seizures usually appear in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. They can recur, but are rare after the age of 5. If your child has a febrile seizure:
- Move it away from any sharp objects, steps, or anything that could pose a danger.
- Don't hold it back and don't try to repress it.
- Place him on his side or on his stomach.
- If the seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes, call the emergency medical service and have your baby examined (especially if you have neck stiffness, vomiting, lethargy or apathy).
Advice
- Rectal temperature measurement is considered to be the most accurate. However, it differs, sometimes significantly, from the oral one and from that measured with ear or forehead thermometers.
- The rectal temperature tends to exceed the oral temperature by about 0.3-0.6 ° C.
- The temperature measured by a forehead thermometer tends to be lower than the oral one by about 0.3-0.6 ° C, and therefore lower than the rectal one by about 0.6-1.2 ° C.
- The temperature of the ear (auricular or tympanic) tends to exceed the oral one by about 0.3-0.6 ° C.
- If your child under the age of 2 has a fever for over 1 day, call your pediatrician. The same is true for children over 2 years of age who have been in a febrile state for more than 3 days.
- Body temperature is usually lower in the early part of the day, and tends to rise in the afternoon.
- Always drink plenty of water.
- Don't overheat your baby's body. Covering it too much will cause your body temperature to rise by trapping heat. Have him wear light cotton pajamas and light socks. Keep the room warm and cover his body with a blanket.
Warnings
- If you have a thyroid disorder known as a thyroid storm (very high level of thyroid hormones), seek immediate medical attention. The tips and timing given in the article are not applicable in the event of a thyroid storm.
- Avoid hot drinks that contain caffeine, such as white, green, or black tea, as they have some thermogenic (heat-increasing) properties.
- If you have a fever, avoid alcohol and any drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks.
- Never give aspirin to babies and children, unless specifically directed by a doctor. In general, avoid giving it to anyone under 18 years of age.
