Reduce fever in children naturally

A fever is something that usually accompanies common colds and flu, and that goes for infants and young children too. Fevers can be uncomfortable for children and parents usually want to reduce it to normal grade. This can be done with medicines but it is always better to go for natural and home treatments, especially if a fever does not exceed 103°F.

When to reduce fever in children

If a parent suspects that the child may have a fever, the first thing to do, of course, is to measure it. Temperature can be measured orally or in the armpit. It is usually recommended to consult a doctor if a fever is more than 103°F.

Some doctors believe that a temperature of 103 °F or below, which is called a low grade fever, is actually beneficial because it destroys the organisms that caused the illness. However, if it persists or if it is recurring, it may be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

For babies who are younger than 6 months, it is recommended to consult a doctor in case the temperature is 101 °F or higher.

Natural ways to reduce fever in children

Even though, a baby may have a cold and needs to stay warm, it is actually recommended to dress him or her lightly or just in diapers, so the heat can be lost through skin. Head and feet are the parts of the body where the heat escapes first, so they should be left uncovered.

A child with fever must drink water frequently in order to prevent dehydration that may occurs as a result of a fever. In addition, water helps reduce body temperature. It does not have necessarily to be water, any clear fluid will do, especially orange juice, apple juice, tea, but also watermelon and cucumbers, which are 90 percent water.

Using cold strips can be very effective for reducing a fever in a baby, as well as a sponge bath. Cold strips are made with clean cotton cloths dipped in cold water and placed on the child’s forehead and feet. They should be changed with fresh ones once they warm up.

Some of the useful traditional remedies for reducing a fever include garlic paste on a bandage with some olive oil rubbed on the skin to prevent irritation, clothes dipped in egg whites, or to simply place a potato cut in half on the child’s forehead, chest and feet.