How to lower the temperature in an adult or child? Almost every person is puzzled by this question at least once in a lifetime. Very often, parents during illnesses of children see high indicators on thermometers and are horrified by this. In such situations, the main thing is not to panic and stay calm.
Do I need to lower the temperature?
Viruses, entering the body, begin to act actively and throw toxins into it. Then the protective mechanisms are turned on, and body temperature may increase. Thus, the body begins to fight with "alien" cells.
Doctors advise not to bring down the temperature if it rises no higher than 38.5 0 C. In this case, the recovery will go faster and, most likely, there will be no complications. In such a period, the main thing is to provide a good drinking regimen for the patient and peace.
The incoming liquid will help to avoid dehydration and will not allow the temperature to rise above. On average, an adult should drink 2-3 liters of fluid per day during an illness.
With an increase in body temperature, the child needs to be guided by his condition. Pediatricians are also advised not to knock it down at rates up to 38 0 C. But it is worth noting that children under 5-6 years old can get febrile seizures at high temperature. Such guys need to use antipyretic drugs already with a slight increase. These babies should be observed regularly by a neurologist and parents will be instructed in how to lower the temperature of 39 0 C and higher.
The main "enemy" of heat
In the days of our ancestors, various diseases were treated using simple recipes. Pharmacy was practically undeveloped, and people had to use improvised means. How to lower body temperature without drugs?
Most often used a plentiful drink of water. Thus, the reserves of the lost fluid were replenished and the balance was restored. Such treatment was carried out for several days, until the body independently cope with the causative agent of the disease.
Now many doctors advise drinking as much fluid as possible with an increase in temperature. In this way, a person makes it possible for the body to fight viruses on its own.
This method can be used only in the case of a more or less stable condition of the patient. If excessive weakness and fatigue occurs, it is best to consult a doctor and start taking prescribed medications and find out how to lower your body temperature.
Wiping
In Soviet times, the answer to the question of how to lower the temperature without tablets was very simple. In almost every family, the method of rubbing the patient during the heat was used.
Most often, a solution of water with table vinegar was used. They wiped the patient with this tool, and put such a compress on his forehead. Such a tool was used in both adults and children.
Another solution was prepared using alcohol and water. Rubbing was carried out all over the body, especially in areas where large vessels pass. Most often, compresses were applied to:
- bends of the arms and legs;
- neck
- armpits;
- whiskey.
Thus, it was possible to bring down the body temperature by 1-2 degrees without the use of drugs.
Why are wipes harmful?
Now almost all doctors agreed that the use of such methods in a child is quite a dangerous occupation. As it turned out, the skin passes good harmful substances that are part of vinegar and alcohol into the child's body and serious intoxication can occur.
This condition is very dangerous for the child and is accompanied by severe consequences and hospitalization of the baby. Poisoning a childās body with vinegar or alcohol can even be fatal.
Adults should use this method with extreme caution. Because the extra load on the liver in the form of harmful fumes also will not bring the desired result.
Wiping with plain water
To slightly alleviate the patientās condition at high temperature, another simple method can be used. Wiping with water at room temperature can help reduce heat by a couple of degrees.
This method can also be used in cases with children. It is only necessary to control that the child at this moment does not have a spasm of blood vessels. With it, during high temperature, the feet and hands become cold.
If such a situation is observed, then rubbing with cool water is prohibited, so as not to aggravate the condition.
Febrile seizures
How to lower the temperature in children? You need to carefully monitor the course of any disease in babies. An increase in body temperature above 38 0 threatens the occurrence of febrile seizures. They are expressed by several symptoms:
- rolling eyes;
- tics;
- twitching of different intensity;
- short-term loss of consciousness.
In most cases, febrile seizures do not pose a danger to the child, but they should not be tolerated. Therefore, children who have at least once suffered such a condition should be observed by a neurologist and during the illness it is necessary to use drugs to reduce fever.
Temperature-reducing pills
The most popular drug used to treat colds is paracetamol. This drug is considered worldwide as the main one for lowering body temperature and its purpose occurs when asked at the doctorās appointment how to lower the temperature at home.
Almost every manufacturer produces this drug in one form or another. Adults are offered tablets or capsules. Syrups and suppositories can be used to treat small patients.
One of the most popular remedies for temperature are drugs containing ibuprofen. Preparations with this composition also have a good analgesic effect. Among parents, the most popular ibuprofen-based product is Nurofen in syrup. This medicine tastes good and comes with a convenient dispenser. It is easy for them to measure the necessary dosage and give the child any age.
In especially severe cases, at a very high temperature, analgin for injection is used. This method can be used in hospitals or by ambulance workers.
It is extremely dangerous to use aspirin in the medical practice of children. Now this medicine in pediatrics is completely prohibited for use. Adults should also be wary of this drug and not take it without a doctorās prescription.
New popular drugs
How to lower the temperature using advanced means. Now it is increasingly used both in pediatrics and among therapists mefenamic acid. This drug has not only antipyretic, but also anti-inflammatory effect. Small pills can even cope with very high rates.
How to lower the temperature in an adult? Also, in especially severe cases, the use of Nimesil is justified. This medicine is available in the form of a powder that is diluted in water. Children can be given this drug only with permission and following all the recommendations of the pediatrician.
Often, in a hospital, the Renalgan injection solution is used. It includes not only an antipyretic and analgesic component, but also an antispasmodic. Thus, if there is a fever during the heat, you will not have to additionally introduce no-shpu into the muscle.
How to lower the temperature in a child?
During the illness of children, their condition must be monitored. It is necessary to measure body temperature several times a day, and even at night. This mode is determined by the characteristics of the child's body. In babies, body temperature can rapidly rise to critical levels. And at this moment, the necessary measures must be taken on time.
You do not need to think all the time about how and how to lower the temperature in a child? If the indicators on the thermometer do not reach 38.5 g., Then you can wait a bit with the use of drugs and try to milk the child. To do this, every 5-10 minutes to offer the baby a few sips of liquid. It could be:
- dried fruits compote;
- water;
- solution with minerals ("Rehydron").
If the child refuses to drink, then you can use a syringe without a needle and pour a few milliliters on the baby's cheek. You should also undress the child as much as possible so that the body gives off heat.
At this time, in the room where the patient is sick, the temperature should not exceed 20 0 . It is advisable to ventilate the room as often as possible and carry out wet cleaning several times a day. This way to lower the temperature will help if it does not rise above 38.5 0 C.
Child drug treatment
Often there are situations when it is impossible to do without the use of antipyretic drugs. How to quickly lower a childās temperature with medication? In the house where the children live, there must be several antipyretic drugs with different active substances.
Most often, parents give preference to syrups. In this form, children are happy to take medicine, because they have a pleasant taste. One of the most popular and active drugs, as already mentioned, is Nurofen. It includes ibuprofen. This medicine is approved for use by children of any age.
Nurofen can be re-taken if necessary after 8 hours. And also to lower the temperature at home, paracetamol is used. For children, syrups with this active substance are used. You can reuse this medicine 6 hours after the previous one.
If the childās temperature has not dropped by at least one degree within 1 hour, then you can give the child another medicine so that the active substance in it differs from the one already taken. That is, if, for example, āNurofenā was used at 13.00, and it did not help, then at 14.00-15.00 any drug based on paracetamol can be taken.
In no case should you use antipyretic drugs of each group more than 3 times a day. Otherwise, an overdose will occur and liver damage will occur, which is especially dangerous in children.
What if the patient has a fever?
During an increase in body temperature to high numbers, people often have spasm of blood vessels and antipyretic drugs in this case do not work. At this point, the patient's hands and feet become cold and even icy. The skin takes a pale shade. This condition is called febrile.
In children, this symptom most often causes febrile seizures, therefore, measures must be taken immediately. First of all, the patient needs to be given an antispasmodic drug, "No-shpa" is often used in an age-related dosage.
After 10-20 minutes, you can use any antipyretic drug. In this case, the spasm of the vessels will be removed and the drug will quickly act.
When is it necessary to see a doctor or call an ambulance?
Very often at home it is difficult to cope with the high temperature of the patient. It must be remembered that if no improvement is observed for 3 days or more, then this is an occasion to consult a doctor, even if the patient has a common cold.
If the temperature rises in the child, then parents must visit the pediatrician the next day to determine the diagnosis and prescribe therapy. And also when the temperature rises to 40 gr. and more, if the medications taken did not bring relief, you must call an ambulance. Such high rates can cause problems with the heart and brain.
In no case should you take several antipyretic drugs at the same time. Thus, body temperature can drop very quickly and cause spasm of the vessels, which will provoke convulsions and poor health of the patient.
As for the use of drugs in injectable form, it should be carried out only by medical personnel or as strictly prescribed by the doctor with the indicated dosage.