Noticing even a slight increase in body temperature in their child, many parents immediately begin to panic, although they probably know that this is the first protective reaction of the body, and to begin to immediately lower the temperature means to prevent the child’s body from fighting on its own.
First, let's figure out what the thermometer readings mean and how to lower the temperature in children if necessary.
In most cases, in young children, a thermometer in the range from 37 to 38 ° C only indicates that the temperature is simply elevated (this applies to infants), at 38.5 ° C, a state of mild fever is already noted, even at 39.5 ° C - fever is still considered moderate, and at a mark above 40 ° C fever is considered strong (although most children can even tolerate this temperature much more easily than adults). If the readings of the thermometer rolls over the mark of 40 ° C - this is already a very dangerous condition, since it threatens to lead to thermal shock, seizures, so it is important to know how to reduce the temperature in children in this case.
As a rule, doctors do not advise to lower the temperature in children until they reach 38.5 ° C, but if your child has previously experienced temperature cramps, in which the baby rolls his eyes, chin and eyelids begin to tremble, the arms and legs shake and from a further increase in temperature the child may simply lose consciousness - in these cases, do not wait, urgently call an ambulance and start giving an antipyretic immediately, even before the doctors arrive (parents who have at least once encountered such a condition of the child will always keep well their antipyretic drug at hand).
In other cases, a decrease in temperature in children can begin spontaneously, after some time, due to the fact that the mechanism of thermoregulation (especially in newborns) is still imperfect, and even a slightly more intense activity in a baby can produce a temperature jump of up to 38 degrees. Therefore, it is very important to dress children in season not only on the street, but also at home. Clothing should be made of natural fibers, giving normal ventilation and well absorbing sweat. In no case can not "steam" the child.
How to bring down the temperature in children, and is it effective to lower the temperature in children with home remedies?
Inexperienced parents often do not imagine how to bring down the temperature in young children. If your baby’s convulsive syndrome has not been previously observed, then for starters you can try to use simple household methods to lower the temperature, namely:
- undress the child, or simply throw away the blanket, allowing the air to blow around the hot body (it is important to provide fresh air in the room, avoiding, of course, draft);
- if the heat is big enough, start doing water wipes with slightly acidified water (dilute table vinegar in a tepid little water and wipe the baby with a soft cotton towel). If the child is older, then you can do alcohol or vodka wipes;
- Another way to lower the temperature in infants is to make compresses on their feet with napkins soaked in cool water, covering the baby with a dry diaper or towel on top. The procedure must be repeated for half an hour and, as a rule, during this time the temperature decreases by 1 ° C;
- Be sure to give the baby a plentiful warm drink at an elevated temperature - a teaspoon, if he is still very small, and as often as possible. To do this is extremely important, because, sweating, the child, along with the fumes, loses a lot of fluid, and if diarrhea is observed, then fluid loss increases many times;
If you tried everything, but for one and a half to two hours nothing helps, the temperature stays firmly above 38.5, worse, it continues to rise, then you need to urgently call a doctor and connect medications. Your medicine cabinet should have antipyretic rectal suppositories for young children, as well as paracetamol-based baby syrup, which is given to older children.
When choosing a drug, of course, you must follow the recommendations of the pediatrician who is watching your baby. If the pharmacy offers you something else, you should carefully study the instructions and pay attention to the safety of the drug, since the pharmacist does not know the specifics of your child’s health, and it is important to know the individual dosage of the drug before lowering the temperature in children.
Remember that any decrease in temperature in children is not a cure for the disease that caused this temperature, so further treatment (if required) should be prescribed only by a doctor!