All parents suffer when they see their children sick, if they have a fever they become listless and with little energy. Fever can be caused by many reasons, and on many occasions it can be remedied without having to go to the pediatrician. Knowing the causes of fever and knowing how to interpret the rise in temperature is essential to be able to act as soon as possible.
First of all is differentiate between fever and low-grade fever, or what we usually call having a few tenths. Fever is when the body temperature increases, from 37,2º. On the other hand, when the body temperature increases beyond 37º and without reaching 38º, it is considered a low-grade fever.
Fever or low-grade fever can be caused by different reasons. For a possible infection, a viral process, excess clothing, intense exercise or a reaction to a vaccine can cause a child's temperature to rise. Generally, you don't need to see a doctor to treat a fever. In these cases where the temperature rises without other symptoms that may alert you to something more serious, it can be treated at home.
However, the severity of the increase in temperature should be considered by a specialist, especially if your child is less than 6 months old. Go to your pediatrician whenever you can so that the situation can be assessed. These tips that we are going to detail below, can be useful if the fever appears at night or on a weekend. You can use any of these home remedies, but don't let too many hours go by without going to the emergency service if the fever rises.
Homemade tricks to lower a fever
- Lower the room temperature, if the child wears too many clothes, the temperature can rise even more. It also refreshes the room ensuring that there are no drafts, ventilate well and keep a cool room temperature. If the fever appears in summer it is very important that you monitor the degrees of the room. Use a fan that helps to cool the environment, but that the air does not blow directly on the child.
- Lukewarm bathsAvoid cold water as it could have the opposite effect and increase your child's body temperature. Prepare a warm water bath and bathe the child, try do not wet her hair since otherwise you would have to dry it.
- Apply cold in localized areas, use gauze pads or a clean towel, soak with cold water and drain well. Apply directly on the forehead, on the neck or on the wrists. It will help reduce the temperature making the little one feel better.
- Monitor hydration, make sure your child drinks enough fluids throughout the day, in addition to water, give him fresh juices, chicken broth and warm vegetables and even serum.
- Make sure your son stay at rest, activity can promote heat and fever. Being calm in bed and without shocks will help the temperature to gradually drop.
- Raw potato slicesThis is your typical grandmother's remedy that may seem silly, but is actually effective. Apply a few slices of raw potato on the soles of the child's feet, when they warm up, change for other new slices. They do not need to be cold since it would make the child uncomfortable, at room temperature it will be enough.
Watch for other symptoms
Children having a fever is very common, as we have already mentioned, it can appear for many reasons, including tooth eruption. But it is very important that watch for other symptomsThe more information you offer the pediatrician, the faster the diagnosis will be. Children get sick very easily and most of the time it is something temporary that subsides within 48 hours.
But it is preferable not to play with the health of children, if they have not received a vaccine or do not show signs of a cold, do not stop monitoring the temperature constantly. Children up to about 5 years of age can have seizures from fever. Check the fever regularly and do not hesitate to see your doctor if the fever is high.