Lowering children's fever with natural remedies

Don't cover them too much. Make them drink plenty. Don't force them with food. And don't show concern. If the fever rises, talk to your doctor first.

How to treat fever in children, natural remedies 1

How to reduce a child's fever, especially when it tends to rise. First of all, parents often worry excessively, since a child's fever, like that of adults, is a symptom, not a disease. Its appearance is absolutely normal In the case of infections such as influenza, variations can be significant between morning and evening, and fever begins when the body temperature exceeds 38 degrees (rectal) or 37,5 degrees (axillary). Antipyretic drugs are not even necessary before attempting to lower the fever. with other natural remediesMany children, due to constant temperature changes, find themselves dealing with the flu. And fever, especially if the child is very young, is something that always causes a lot of anxiety in parents. But what should be done in the case of a high fever? And above all, When is it necessary to seek medical treatment and when can fever be treated naturally? Often, even simple home remedies are enough to bring down the temperature and make the child feel better. A fever, as doctors explain well, needs to run its course, during which it is worth following. Useful tips for treating it in children in a simple and natural way and avoiding their discomfort.

What to do when children have a fever

  • First don't cover the little one too muchThe warmth of extra blankets, compared to usual ones, or of extra-heavy pajamas, is absolutely counterproductive. With a fever of just a few degrees, the child needs to disperse heat, not accumulate more.
  •  Try to make him drink a lotChildren tend to become dehydrated more easily than adults when they have a fever. Therefore, make room for water, fruit juices, smoothies, chicken broth, chamomile tea, and warm milk.
  • Speaking of drinks, hot herbal teas deserve a separate mention.They're very beneficial at this stage, especially since fevers are usually accompanied by a sore throat, headache, and general malaise. The best herbal teas as a natural remedy for fever in children are: chamomile, cinnamon, eucalyptus, centaury, gentian, rhododendron, mint, elderberry, and linden.
  • Don't force children to eatLoss of appetite is one of the symptoms of fever, so you're only risking harm. Instead, try a few dishes your child particularly enjoys. And use small portions.
  • To give relief to the child you can try to practice some refreshing sponge bathsThe areas to be treated are the forehead, wrists, calves and ankles.
  • Keep children at rest but not necessarily in bed: the important thing is that the environment in which it is located has the right temperature.
  • Don't appear nervous or worried because this way you risk irritating the baby and crying favors an increase in temperature.

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But despite pediatricians' reassurances, fever in children remains one of the most frightening and anxiety-provoking factors for parents. And it's to help them understand how to manage fever emergencies in their little ones that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidelines that focus primarily on the distinction between cases in which fever is caused by viral infections that resolve on their own without leaving consequences and those in which fever could be considered a warning sign of a pathology that requires further investigation. Here the advice contained in the guidelines on how to treat fever in children:

  • Fever becomes an alarm bell when it reaches 38°C in children up to 3 months and 39°C in those from 3 to 6 months.
  • From 7 months and up However, in addition to the increase in temperature, other symptoms such as breathing difficulties, severe changes in skin and mucous membrane color, neck stiffness, and changes in the child's level of consciousness or interactions with others are necessary for immediate medical attention.
  • Heart rate must also be taken into account: the risk of a more serious pathology increases if it exceeds 160 beats per minute under one year of age, 150 between one and two years of age, and 140 from two years of age onwards.
  • If, however, you find yourself in a situation where the child has a very high fever but there are no other warning signs such as those described above, it could be that it is sixth disease, a pathology that usually disappears within a few days.
  • Also remember that the two antipyretic drugs authorized in children under 6 years of age They are paracetamol and ibuprofen: they must be used to counteract the child's discomfort and only for as long as the discomfort lasts, otherwise other complications may arise due to incorrect use of the drugs.
  • Basic always follow the instructions regarding how to use the medicines and respect the interval times between administrations.
  • Finally, avoid easy and sometimes unnecessary administration of antibiotics at the slightest sign of discomfort in the child.

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Children and Covid-19

All field statistics indicate that, in the case of children, coronavirus symptoms are very mild, so much so that they don't cause concern. The main symptoms are fever (80 percent of cases), cough (over 50 percent), and diarrhea (25 percent). All this means that coronavirus in children doesn't require hospitalization and can be treated at home.

When to worry

Fever should be a concern if your child, while still very young (under one year old), has a chronic illness, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, or seizures. Another cause for concern is a fever that stays around 40 degrees Celsius and doesn't go down. In all these circumstances, it's best to contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.

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