5 Home Remedies To Treat Fever In Children

Fever is the most common concern prompting parents to bring their child to the emergency department or urgent care. Fever is not an illness per se but a sign that the body is trying to fight an underlying foreign attack on the human body. As the body encounters a foreign invasion, its defense mechanism enables the various infection-fighting cells to ward off any impending illness.

A rise in the body temperature above the average of 100.4°F (38°C) measured rectally is termed as fever.A fever itself is not life-threatening unless it is extremely and persistently high. In most cases, there is nothing to worry about, as a fever is usually a normal response of a child’s immune system to a viral or bacterial infection. Most healthy children can tolerate a fever well enough.

* Give them a Lukewarm Bath

Cooling the body from the outside is very effective in reducing body temperature.When your child develops a fever, the first thing to do is to give your child a lukewarm bath. A lukewarm bath will help regulate body temperature. It will also help your child relax, sleep better, and recover fast.However, avoid a cold bath, as it can shock the body into trying to raise the internal thermostat even more.

* Keep them Hydrated

For children suffering from a fever, it is vital to increase their fluid intake. Fluids will help cool them down and replace the fluid lost through sweating. This will also prevent dehydration, which may lead to various other complications and delay recovery.This remedy is also helpful for dengue fever. A 2017 study published in PLOS One reports that improved oral fluid intake in patients with suspected dengue fever reduced hospitalization and intravenous fluid requirements.

* Let them Rest

Irrespective of whether a child or an adult is suffering from a fever, adequate rest and sleep is a must.When your child rests, his body can dedicate his energy to healing rather than distributing for other activities.Also, through sleep, the body will have the energy and time it needs to fight the causative agents. So, it becomes essential to make your child rest or relax as much as possible.

* Keep them in a Cool Place

When your child has a fever, you need to keep him in a cool place. The temperature of the room should not be too hot or too cold. Try to keep your child’s room at a comfortable temperature between 70°F and 74°F (between 21.1 °C and 23.3 °C).

* Ginger Concoction

Ginger helps the body expel heat, which in turn helps reduce the temperature. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties make it effective against any kind of infection. Plus, it boosts the immune system, aiding in the recovery process.Mix a ½ teaspoon of ginger juice, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Give this mixture to your child two to three times daily until the fever is gone.Another option is to mix 2 tablespoons of ginger powder into a bathtub filled with warm water. Soak your child in this bathwater for 10 minutes. Pat his skin dry and cover him entirely with a blanket. Soon, your child will start sweating, and the fever will come down.