When body temperature rises above 37.8ºC for oral measurement and above 38.2ºC for measurement made in the rectus, it is a sign of fever.
This temperature change usually occurs due to the following conditions:
- Infection, such as tonsillitis, otitis or urinary infection
- Inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or giant cell arthritis
Although rare, fever can also be caused as a result of cancer, especially when there isn’t any other cause such as flu or colds.
When the fever is above 38º C, it is advisable to resort to homemade and natural methods such as taking a warm bath or drinking white willow tea. If the fever does not subside, consult the doctor so that you can begin treatment using antipyretic remedies such as paracetamol, which must always be used according to the prescription of the doctor.
Natural treatments to lower fever
Contents
There are various natural methods that can be used to lower fever before resorting to take antipyretic remedies. They include:
- Remove excess clothingg
- Stay close to a fan or in an airy place
- Place a wet towel in cold water on the forehead and wrists
- Take a bath with warm water, not too hot or too cold
- Keep the home at home, avoiding going to work
- Drink cold water
- Take orange, tangerine or lemon juice because it strengthens the immune system
However, if the child is below 3 years of age or the individual has heart disease, lung disease or dementia, the doctor should be consulted immediately, especially if the fever rises above 38ºC and there is loss of thermal sensation.
Top Pharmacy Remedies
If the fevere rises above 38.9ºC and the homemade methods do not provide any relief then the doctor may prescribe the use of antipyretic remedies such as:
- Paracetamol, such as Tylenol or Pacemol
- Ibuprofen, such as Ibufran or Ibupril
- Acetylsalicylic acid, like Aspirin
These remedies should be used cautiously and only when there is a case of high fever and they should not be taken regularly. If the fever is not suppressed, the doctor should be consulted again so as to assess the need to perform other tests which will diagnose the cause of the fever. It may also be necessary to use antibiotics so as to fight a possible infection.
For children, the dosage of this drug varies according to weight and for this reason, one should always inform the paediatrician before using the remedy.
Home remedies options
A good way to lower fever before taking antipyretic remedy is to warm tea which will provoke sweating, hence decreasing the fever. It is important to note that this medicinal plant should not be given to babies without consulting the paediatrician.
Some of the teas that help lower the fever are:
1. Ash Tea
Ash tea aids in lowering fever as it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which will relieve discomforts that are caused by fever.
Ingredients
- 50g dry ash bark
- 1 litre of hot water
Preparation mode
Place the dry ash peel in water and let it simmer for 10 minutes then filter. Drink 3 to 4 cups per day until the fever subsides.
2. Quineira Tea
Quineira tea lowers fever and it also has antibacterial properties. Its action is enhanced when it is used together with white willow and the ulmária.
Ingredients
- 0.5 g very thinly sliced bark of quineira
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
Place the quineria peel in water and let it simmer for ten minutes. Drink 3 cups a day before meals.
3. White willow tea
White willow tea aids in lowering fever because it has a saline bark which contains anti-inflammatory, analgesic and febrile action.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 g white willow bark
- 1 cup of water
Preparation mode
Place the white willow peel in water and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Filter and drink 1 cup before taking your meals.
Other teas that can be taken to lower fever include macella, tea, holy thistle or basil.
What not to do when fever arises in the child
When a child has fever, it causes a lot of anxiety in the family. Here are some of the things that you should not do so as not to worsen the situation:
- Try to warm the child by wearing him more clothes, or putting more clothes on the bed
- Use medicines to lower fever at fixed hours
- Decide to treat fever with antibiotics
- Insist on the child to eat in a normal and abundant way
- Assume the fever is high due to a tooth rash
In some cases, it is normal for children to experience seizures because they still have immature brains, and the nervous system becomes vulnerable due to a rapid increase in temperature. In such a case, it is important to note the start and end times of the crises and place the child aside under room temperature until the seizures reduce. If it is the first febrile seizure, you should immediately go to the emergency room.
When to go to the pediatrician
It is advisable to consult the pediatrician when the fever in the child is accompanied by:
- Vomiting
- Severe headache
- Irritability
- Excessive sleepiness
- Difficulty breathing
Moreover, children under the age of 2 years and their body temperature is above 40ºC should be evaluated by a paediatrician as this could be a sign of other complications.
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