How to Bring Down a Fever Naturally

Fever is an increase in body temperature that occurs naturally when your body is fighting an infection or bacteria. Your immune system is designed to automatically raise your body temperature because these bacteria and viruses cannot survive at high temperatures. Therefore, a fever can be good. It's only when the temperatures get very high that some concern can arise.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• cool clothes
• cool washcloths
• cool bathwater
• time to nurture your patient

1. Especially in children, high fever can be alarming. There are things you can do to ride out a fever and bring down a fever that might be getting too high. Here are a few tips to help you learn how to deal with and bring down a fever naturally.

2. The most important thing is to avoid panic. For the most part, in an otherwise healthy child or adult, fever means that the body is doing its job. If you are dealing with a child and you begin to panic, the child will sense that panic and this will not help the situation at all and certainly won't help to bring down a fever. Try to prevent panic and the immediate call to a doctor or hospital. If fever is very high, this may be necessary, however, you could try the following at-home remedies to bring down a fever before you resort to medical advice.

3. Touch is very important. Have faith that your own immune system is capable of fighting off any infection and give as much hugs and gentle rubs to your patient as you can muster. Especially for a child, the nearness of a parent or other caring adult will work wonders. Don't forget that the psyche plays a huge role in sickness. If a child feels comfort and touch as often as possible, that child will feel loved and secure. This will create a restfulness that the body needs to help fight the infection more quickly.

4. Try to avoid solid foods while treating a fever, but have the patient drink as much healthy liquids as possible. Water is great, or 100% fruit juice with no added sugar. Avoid high fructose corn syrup or juices from concentrate. Proper intake of liquids will prevent dehydration which can lead to a host of other problems and a definite call to a medical professional.

5. Use cool and loose clothing and loose blankets. You'll want to do your best, whether in bed or in bath, to make sure your patient doesn't get too hot, or too cold. Just think about when you've had a fever and try to make your patient as comfortable as possible.

6. An old-time home remedy to bring down fever involves placing an onion or potato around the wrist or at the heel. When you're caring for a sick child, and trying to avoid medication or a doctor visit, this is worth a try. I believe whole-heartedly in home remedies, and though I have not personally given this a try, I heard from family members and read on the internet that this natural remedy works wonders.

7. Give the fever a couple days to do its job. Pay close attention that your patient doesn't appear dehydrated or start to hallucinate. These are causes for concern and may require further professional assistance. Remember the most important factor in bringing down a fever is to avoid panic. Keep cool both literally and figuratively.

Tips & Warnings

• stay calm
• use your intuitive judgment before calling a doctor
• if your patient begins to experience dehydration or hallucination, that's the time to call a doctor

[FrazzledNanny]

on 5/19/2009 Great natural tips for bringing down a fever. Thanks for the helpful article. 5*