The heat always indicates inflammatory processes that occur in the human body. This is an indication that the body is actively fighting bacterial or viral infections. As a rule, to get rid of elevated temperature, antipyretic drugs are used. For children, the selection of such drugs should be carried out especially carefully, as a fragile body can not cope with potent drugs, which will put a heavy load on the heart and can lead to adverse consequences.
There are many varieties of drugs that can bring down the temperature. However, when choosing effective antipyretic drugs for children, it is worth considering the age of the peanuts and the individual characteristics of the baby's body.
Why does the child have a fever
If the baby’s body indicators exceeded a little over 36.6 degrees, then do not panic. If during the day the child has a temperature fluctuation within one degree, and these indicators decrease in the morning, then do not sound the alarm. Such an increase in temperature is a consequence of the physical activity of the peanut, water procedures, including the use of a hot shower, and much more.
However, if the baby has lethargy, lack of sleep and a general restless state, then there is a chance that a child may need antipyretic drugs. It should be understood that increased heat transfer can be caused by:
- Colds.
- Viral infections.
- Dehydration.
- Teething (found in infants).
- Pathologies associated with the nervous system.
- Overheating due to long exposure to the sun.
- Vaccinations.
In order to better understand what kind of antipyretic agent at high temperature a child should be given, it is necessary to take into account some features of the heat.
Forms of fever medication
Today on sale there are different types of drugs. When choosing antipyretic drugs for a child at high temperature, it is important to choose the right form of medicine:
- Candles These are the most effective remedies for heat. They are safe for health, therefore, are the best antipyretic drugs for children up to a year. Suppositories are administered rectally, so the baby will not suffer from vomiting. The medicine begins to act in about 40 minutes and retains its properties for about 6 hours.
- Potions. This is an antipyretic for children from 1 year. After taking the drug in the form of a medicine or syrup, about 20 minutes pass, and the baby begins to experience noticeable improvement. Thanks to the sweet taste of the medicine, children are not capricious when taking it.
- Powder and granular formulations for solutions. These drugs are used for babies from 9 months. The medicinal composition is diluted in warm boiled water or tea.
- Chewing plates. This is an antipyretic for children from 3 years. They are able to bring down the fever within 30 minutes after ingestion.
- Pills and capsules. It is recommended to give medicines in this form to children no younger than 6 years old.
Choosing the best antipyretic for children, it is also worth paying attention to its composition. Today, in pharmacies, ibuprofen-based products are often found. This tool allows you to quickly remove the fever and get rid of a headache.
"Ibuprofen" in the form of syrup and candles
If the drug is administered rectally, then such an antipyretic for children up to a year will give a quick result. However, it is recommended to use it only in the presence of a pediatrician. The fact is that the composition of these suppositories includes components that cause intestinal irritation in some children. Because of this, diarrhea may be added to the elevated temperature.
Children's "Ibuprofen" in the form of syrup is most effective if the baby has a fever due to a sore throat, a cold or a viral disease.
Nurofen
This tool also belongs to the ibuprofen series. Nurofen for children is available as a suspension. It is recommended to use it after the baby reaches the age of three months and up to 12 years. The dosage of the drug is selected based on how old the baby is. If we are talking about a very small peanut, then the amount of the drug that parents will give the baby is best calculated with a doctor.
"Nurofen" is considered one of the most effective antipyretic drugs for children, as it quickly removes heat. However, the use of such a drug reduces the production of leukocytes, therefore, it is not recommended to take it on an ongoing basis (especially when it comes to very small peanuts).
The list of antipyretic drugs for children should be continued with paracetamol-based drugs. This component is very effective in reducing heat and during the fight against viral infections. In addition, this tool is considered safer.
Paracetamol
If you buy this medicine in the form of a suspension in a pharmacy, then your parents will get an excellent antipyretic for children under 1 year of age and older. Paracetamol quickly reduces the temperature and relieves inflammation. This tool has been widely used in the fight against influenza, viral and infectious diseases.
Also, this drug is used when teeth begin to be cut in babies. However, with viral hepatitis, such drugs should be given to children with great care. Also, do not get involved in this drug if the child has diabetes, liver disease.
"Panadol"
These are suspensions and syrups that are designed to reduce heat. Drugs of this type can be given not only to infants, but also to use them as an antipyretic for children 5 years of age and older. However, it is still worth consulting with a specialist first. A baby may have an individual intolerance to paracetamol.
"Tsefekon D"
This is another paracetamol-based remedy. The drug is sold in the form of candles. "Cefecon D" not only quickly reduces the temperature, but also has an excellent anti-inflammatory effect, so that kids get rid of painful syndromes.
These rectal suppositories are suitable for children under 10 years old. The drug does not have an irritating effect and does not reduce the volume of excreted urine. If we are talking about infants, then it must be borne in mind that the means should in no case slow down the process of removing fluid from the body. Otherwise, there is a risk that the baby will develop cerebral edema.
Kalpol
This paracetamol-based product is sold in the form of a syrup that has a sweet taste and pleasant aroma. "Kalpol" well knocks down the temperature and relieves pain. You can give this drug to children from three months.
However, this drug sometimes has side effects. Some babies have allergic rashes. However, none of the parents noted other negative consequences.
Efferalgan
If we are talking about babies, then this paracetamol-based remedy is best bought in the form of candles. Effervescent tablets and suspensions are suitable for older children. However, for liver and kidney problems, Efferalgan is not recommended. You also need to be careful with candles if a child has an intestinal upset.
Also today, homeopathic remedies for the treatment of colds are widely used. These are completely harmless preparations made exclusively from natural ingredients. However, because of this, they do not always cope with high temperature. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting one effective remedy.
"Viburkol"
This drug is usually prescribed for the treatment of the underlying disease, however, the drug also helps to reduce the temperature in the baby. "Viburkol" is made only of natural ingredients. It includes belladonna, conhe, dulcamara and other extracts of herbs. Due to this, the drug has practically no contraindications. However, you need to be careful, as some herbs can cause an allergic reaction in the baby. In this case, you will also need to start a course of taking antihistamines.
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
It is immediately worth saying that this tool is forbidden to give to children under 12 years of age. If you take too much acetylsalicylic acid, then the patient may develop Reye's syndrome. In this case, severe liver damage occurs. This syndrome affects children aged 3 to 12 years. Therefore, during this period, you should not use this tool.
However, even after 12 years, you should not take aspirin uncontrollably. A day you can take no more than 300 mg of the drug, while the reception should be divided into three times.
Children's "Montrin"
This syrup should also be included in the list of effective antipyretic drugs. In addition to eliminating heat, it is often used in the fight against toothache in babies, during sore throats and colds.
However, quite often, babies have an allergy in the form of a rash on this remedy. Some also report abdominal pain, migraines, diarrhea, and vomiting. It is an antipyretic for children from 2 years. Up to this age, the baby should not give this drug.
Drugs that should not be given to children
In addition to antipyretics for children that can quickly relieve the baby of heat, you should pay attention to medications that can harm the baby. Specialists strongly do not recommend giving children:
- Drugs that include nimesulide. This means that you will have to refuse to take Nimesil, Nimida, Nemulex and Nice pills.
- Two-component products are not recommended for children under 12 years of age. This means that if ibuprofen and paracetamol are both part of the drugs, then they can lead to serious complications. Therefore, it is worthwhile to refrain from taking Dolaren, Ibuklin and Brustan.
- Apidopyrine, Antipyrine, and Phenacetin. These products contain toxic components. They negatively affect the body of the child.
- Drugs that affect the circulatory system. Based on this, you need to abandon the “Analgin”, “Pentalgin” and “Tempalgin”.
Proper medication
It is not enough just to choose an effective remedy for heat. In addition, it is necessary to correctly calculate the dosage of the product. As a rule, all medicines contain detailed instructions, following which it will not be difficult to determine the desired dosage.
If parents decide to give the baby a larger amount of money, hoping that in this way it will be more effective, then this is by no means worth it. If we are talking about a baby, then in this way it can cause serious harm to his health. In case of overdose, there is a risk of side effects and even death.
If the child has digestive problems, then funds should be given only after eating. The interval between taking tablets or suspensions is at least 4 hours.
If we are talking about effervescent soluble compounds, then they can be given to children only from 6 years old. For babies in the first years of life, only suspensions, suppositories or syrup are recommended. The latter type is considered the most successful, since the child does not have a desire to spit out the medicine. As a rule, special syringes are always included with such funds, with which parents can independently determine the dosage of the drug.
Lowering the temperature with the help of folk remedies
Some parents are afraid to use medications, as they are afraid that they have a strong burden on the baby’s heart. Modern medicines rarely cause such side effects, however, if you want, you can try traditional medicine. They should be used only after consultation with your doctor.
One of the most effective remedies is apple cider vinegar. It can be used when the temperature rises in the smallest little ones. Vinegar must be diluted with warm water in equal proportions. Using the resulting solution, you need to wipe the baby and wait until it sweats. To do this, it should be wrapped in a warm blanket. After some time, it is necessary to change wet clothes to dry ones and make sure that the child is not in a draft. If there is no vinegar in the house, then it can be replaced with vodka.
Cranberry tea is highly effective . However, it should immediately be said that such a natural remedy is not suitable for every baby. Children often have an allergic reaction to these berries, so you should first make sure that such tea does not harm the child. It is better to give such a remedy to older children. However, in this case, cranberries can cause a negative reaction of the body if the child suffers from gastritis or peptic ulcer. If there are no such problems, then it is worth brewing hot cranberry tea and let the sweat sweat.
For many centuries, raspberries have been considered the most effective way to combat heat. This medicine can be used in any form (teas, juices or preserves). If you brew black tea and add a few tablespoons of raspberry jam to it, the baby will sweat well. In addition, raspberries help get rid of sore throats and coughs. For children, raspberries are less likely to be allergic, however, just like with cranberries, you should be very careful.
Do not self-medicate if the child has a very high fever. If the fever is high and does not go astray, you should immediately call an ambulance. It is also worth urgently contacting specialists if, after taking this or that medication, the baby's condition worsens. Diarrhea and vomiting are also signs that this drug has caused a side effect.