There are several ways to reduce a child's fever that can be done independently at home. However, Mothers are still required to be more careful and vigilant in monitoring the condition of the Little One. Especially if the fever does not get better, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms.
Fever in children is not always dangerous and most will subside on their own within a few days. Therefore, you don't need to worry too much when your child has a fever, okay?
Fever is actually the body's reaction to fighting infection naturally. This infection can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Apart from infection, fever can also be caused by other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, immunizations, and abnormalities in the brain. However, causes of fever other than infection are quite rare.
For mild fever, there are several ways to reduce fever that can be done at home. This method is not difficult and can be done easily.
How to Lower Children's Fever at Home
To determine whether your child has a fever or not, you need to measure body temperature using a thermometer, not just touch it with your hands. A child is said to have a fever if his body temperature reaches 38°C or more.
When exposed to a fever, the child may appear weaker, fussy, often cries, is restless and has trouble sleeping, and doesn't want to eat or drink. As a first aid step to reduce fever in children, try the following steps:
1. Give compress
To reduce a child's fever, try giving a compress to the child's body using a cloth that has been soaked in plain or slightly warm water (make sure the temperature is not too cold or too hot).
The compress can be placed on the child's forehead, chest, stomach, or armpits while he is sleeping or lying down. After giving the compress, let the compress sit for 20-30 minutes on the child's body.
Do not forget to change the compress when it starts to dry or feels hot and monitor the child's body temperature periodically every 1-2 hours after giving the compress.
2. Avoid thick clothes
Choose clothes with comfortable materials and not too thick for your little one to wear. This is because when wearing thick clothes, the body will be hot and it is difficult to expel body heat, so the fever is difficult to subside.
If your child feels feverish or cold, wear comfortable clothes that can absorb sweat, and cover him with a light blanket.
3. Give children enough food and drink
Make sure your baby's fluid and nutritional needs are adequate to prevent him from becoming dehydrated. If you are still giving your little one exclusive breastfeeding, make sure he is breastfed as often as possible.
However, if your little one has consumed solid food or solid food, you can continue breastfeeding while giving enough water. So that the health of your little one is maintained, make sure the water that you give is guaranteed to be clean and safe for consumption.
Therefore, the choice of drinking water at home must meet applicable standards, such as colorless, tasteless, odorless, and does not contain substances that can harm the body.
In addition, make sure the water you consume comes from protected water sources so that the natural mineral content in it is maintained. So, protect your child from the risk of dehydration by meeting their daily fluid needs.
If your child is old enough, you can give him soothing foods or drinks, such as cold yogurt and ice cream. In addition to keeping the body hydrated, this type of food or drink can help cool the body from within.
4. Keep the room temperature
Make sure the room temperature remains cool and comfortable for your little one. You can turn on the air conditioner, but make sure the temperature is not too cold. You can also use a fan, but at a low speed.
But you need to remember, avoid directing the fan or AC directly at the child's body, because it can make him feel cold. If your child feels cold, try turning off the air conditioner or fan in his bedroom.
5. Bathe with warm water
When the child has a fever, Mother is still allowed to bathe the Little One as long as it uses warm water. Avoid bathing your little one with cold water, because it can cause his body temperature to rise and make him shiver from the cold.
6. Giving fever-reducing drugs
If needed, you can use a child's fever-reducing medication, such as the use of paracetamol. However, with a note, the dose of paracetamol must be adjusted to the age and weight of the child or according to the instructions for use listed on the drug packaging.
In addition to fever-reducing drugs, you are not advised to give other drugs, such as cold medicines, antibiotics, or other fever-reducing drugs other than paracetamol without a doctor's prescription. Also, keep in mind that paracetamol is not recommended to be given to babies less than 2 months old without a doctor's supervision.
When Should Fever Be Watched For?
If the above methods are not effective in reducing your child's fever, it is recommended that you immediately take your child to the doctor for further examination, especially if the child's fever appears along with other symptoms, such as:
- Signs of dehydration, namely diarrhea, vomiting, dry lips, crying without tears, not wanting to eat or breastfeed, urinating infrequently or not at all.
- seizures.
- The baby or child appears very weak.
- Fainting or more sleepy.
- Severe headache.
- Hard to breathe.
- Pale or bluish-looking skin.
In addition, a high fever in children that does not subside after 2 days or even gets worse also needs to be immediately examined by a pediatrician.
After the doctor determines the cause of fever in children, then treatment will be given according to the cause. If the child's condition is very weak and difficult to treat at home, the doctor may recommend that the child be hospitalized to monitor his condition and provide appropriate treatment.