How to lower high fever in children
How to lower high fever in children? If your child has a high fever, there are several solutions to lower it naturally and / or with the help of drugs. So let's find out together how to do it and when it is necessary to resort to the help of a pediatrician.
Fever is nothing more than the increase in body temperature above normal. Which is normal, then, depends on each body and is very individual. It is therefore difficult to establish with absolute certainty from what temperature one can speak of fever For convenience, the World Health Organization has determined, however, that the temperature is normal if it is between 36.5 and 37.5 ° C.
Generally, therefore, we speak of fever for temperatures above 38 ° C if measured rectally and above 37.5 ° C if measured under the armpit. If your child reports these high temperatures, follow the advice below, starting from those on video, suggested by Dr. Sogni:
Fever in children: what it is and how to measure it
First of all, dear mother: do not make the mistake of demonizing the fever! It is not a disease in itself, but the physiological response to an attack by infectious agents. It is therefore a very important process for your child to defend himself. and overcome the infection. In fact, in most cases, high fever is just one of the body's forms of defense against an infectious disease.
Among other things, you must consider that it is normal for children to experience greater temperature variations than in the body of an adult during the course of a day. The minimum temperatures will be reached between 4 and 8 in the morning, while the maximum between 16 and 18.
The best way to measure a child's temperature and understand how high the fever is is to use a thermometer, preferably electronic and in the armpit. Using a rectal thermometer, especially if the child is under the age of 5, is not recommended because it can be bothersome and invasive.
Better to forget about the mercury thermometer, it can be dangerous if it breaks, since it is a toxic metal. To be avoided absolutely, then, if you intend to proceed with an oral measurement.
How to lower high fever in children naturally
To lower the high fever, beyond the possible medicines we will discuss in the next paragraph, it is useful to adopt some precautions, all very important to guarantee the child a faster recovery.
Rule number one is to make him drink as much as possible, despite his refusal: the fever dehydrates and your baby needs to be guaranteed hydration. As opposed to water, don't force him to eat more than necessary. if you don't feel like it.
Dress your child in light and not heavy clothes: this will help him to disperse the excessive heat of the body and he will immediately feel more comfortable! If he feels a little better, do not force him to stay in bed, but allow him to get up: it is important not to constrict him.
There are some so-called "grandmother's remedies", often used in the past to lower high fever in children, but which today are no longer advisable. The first is to put the child in contact with cold water: whether it is the ice pack on the head or sponging or cold water showers, medical sources deny that these practices have any real benefit.
The same goes for the old remedy of sponging with alcohol: it must be absolutely avoided because it could be absorbed through the skin and be toxic.
How to lower high fever in children: drugs
Doctors recommend taking antipyretic drugs when the child with a fever manifests a state of malaise. Antipyretics - it must be said - do not modify the course of the disease, which will still have to vent itself, but will allow him to feel better .
The antipyretics that are mainly used are paracetamol and ibuprofen. Attention, however: they must not be used inappropriately (overdoses can be toxic!), Nor in combination or alternation: either "one or the other"!
Also in this case - as long as there are no cases of vomiting - it is better to have the child take them orally rather than rectally. The dose to be administered depends on the child's body and his weight: it is necessary to contact the pediatrician to ask what is the most appropriate dose.
High fever in children: when to worry and see the pediatrician
When should you worry in case of fever in children and go to the pediatrician immediately? First of all, if the baby is under six months: it is a delicate age and it is important that the doctor follows the baby. Then, consult the doctor if you hear the following alarm bells (as a good mom, you will understand if there is " is something wrong, because they vary a lot from child to child!): sleepiness, irritability, weak crying, dehydration, aching appearance.
Again: contact your pediatrician immediately in case of neck stiffness and headache, or if the child has convulsions or breathing difficulties. If the fever rises above 40 ° C or if it persists beyond 48 hours, it is always better to call the doctor and the same applies if other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or rashes of various kinds occur together.
Finally, call your pediatrician if your baby has chronic illnesses that could lead to complications. Good recovery!
The information in this article is taken from Ospedalebambinogesu.it
