Fever is the increase in body temperature that the body causes as a defense mechanism to defend itself against any virus or bacteria that may be causing a particular disease or infection. Therefore, although we tend to be anxious when our children have a fever, and how dangerous this condition can be is always highlighted, it is a quick process that seeks to benefit health, not harm it.
Many antipyretics on the market offer to control temperature and relieve symptoms associated with fever, such as sweating, chills, and body aches. However, many parents prefer that their children not take medication at such an early age, so they wonder if there is any way to lower the fever naturally. The good news is that, yes, there is a lot we can do at home to control body temperature; that is why at FastlyHealwe has prepared this article on remedies to lower fever in children.
Table of Contents
Take off the child’s clothes.
Many people warm children with a fever because they believe that excess clothing will make the body sweat more quickly from the madness. However, few parents know that dress has the power to retain body heat and prevent outside air from cooling the skin and lowering the temperature. For this reason, one of the best remedies to reduce fever in children is to leave them with the least amount of clothing possible to receive fresh air and balance the temperature throughout the body.
It is also essential to put the little one to bed where it is not hot but where the climate is warm. A ventilated room is recommended, ensuring that the child does not directly receive any natural or artificial air current. When it is the winter season, it is advisable to lower the heating temperature to prevent the fever from becoming resistant.
Lukewarm shower
Warm showers are ideal for reducing fever in children because the water is at a lower temperature than the body. Therefore, it helps to balance the thermostat. The child doesn’t need to spend 20 minutes soaking in water; a bath, as usual, is enough, but in which it is monitored that the temperature of the water remains the same and is never too cold or too hot since both extremes can be harmful—a recommended temperature range for these baths between 34 ° C and 36 ° C.
When leaving the bathroom, it is normal for the child to manifest cold since the fever will be beginning to subside. However, as we mentioned in the previous point, it is essential to avoid excess blankets and clothing to prevent the body from rewarming and keeping it for a longer time. Sleeveless cotton pajamas are a great option.
Cold compresses
Coldwater compresses are the ideal remedy to lower fever in children and adults since their temperature helps lower fever and stimulates sweating. If you don’t have compressed, you can moisten a towel in cold water and place it on the child’s forehead, neck, and ankles. Once the towels or compresses feel hot to touch, it is necessary to re-wet them with cold water and place them again.
Coldwater stimulates blood circulation, and this, once activated, helps control fever throughout the body. For this reason, it may also be advisable to have the child immerse his hands and arms in a large container filled with cold water for at least 15 minutes. Once the blood begins to flow in this body area, the body will stabilize the body temperature.
Hydration is key
During long episodes of fever, it is normal for the child to begin to dehydrate; this only makes the fever and body discomfort worse. To prevent this from happening and help the fever go down, it is advisable to give the child many fluids: water, serum, breast milk, and citrus fruit juices to raise the defenses.
When a child has a fever, it is customary to immediately lose appetite and resist eating any food, primarily solids. One way to keep him hydrated and well-fed during a fever is to feed him chicken broth, which helps strengthen the immune system and will help make a recovery much quicker.
It is also advisable to hydrate older children with sunflower infusion since this plant has medicinal properties that act on the body by controlling elevated temperature levels. To make the infusion, you must cook a handful of sunflower petals in a cup of water for 10 minutes over medium heat. Then strain the preparation and add honey and lemon. Ideally, give your child two tablespoons three times a day.
Lettuce tea
Just as the infusion of sunflower effectively reduces fever in children, so is lettuce tea, since this vegetable is rich in water, which will effectively keep the little one hydrated for much longer. In addition, lettuce is rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus to help the child feel more energetic and spirited.
How to prepare lettuce tea to reduce a fever?
Prepare this drink by cooking whole lettuce in a liter of boiling water. Let it cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, then strain the preparation and add honey and lemon. Ideally, drink a small cup while the drink is kept warm.
Rub the body from the bottom up
This remedy to lower fever in children consists of rubbing from the bottom up, that is, from the feet to the forehead, the child with a damp towel in cold water. The effect is the same as we explained earlier in the compresses section: cold water activates circulation and this, in turn, controls the thermostat. Other options offer the same result: have the child walk barefoot on hard ground, put on damp socks, or put cold potato wedges on the soles of the feet.
When to go to the doctor?
Whenever a child has a fever, it is necessary to see a doctor to diagnose the disease or infection causing the symptom. However, certain red flags indicate that we cannot wait for a consultation and it is necessary to go to an emergency center as soon as possible:
- Lack of movement.
- Dry and sticky mouth.
- Decrease in going to the bathroom to urinate.
- Dry diapers for three hours.
- Dark urine
- Few tears when crying.
- Dark skin.
- Extreme drowsiness
- Fast heartbeat
- The fever does not go down with medicine, or it goes down and rises again after two hours.
- The craze has lasted more than a day.
- The temperature rises more throughout the day.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Remedies to lower fever in children, we recommend that you enter our Immune System category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.