When a child has a fever, we are not calm. Moreover, fever in children often occurs suddenly at night. When this happens, parents must know how to properly compress a child with a fever.
Fever is the body’s way of fighting infection,Parents. Your little one’s body raises its body temperature to kill germs. The body is said to have a fever when the temperature exceeds 37.5ºCelcius. In general, the fever will subside after 3 days.
Especially for babies under 3 months, if a fever occurs, take them to the doctor immediately.
Meanwhile, the first aid that we can do is to compress the child’s forehead and body.
But which is better, a warm or cold compress? Here’s how to properly compress a child.
The Right Way to Compress a Feverish Child
1. Check the Child’s Temperature
The best way to check whether a child has a fever or not is to use a thermometer.
Nowadays, mercury thermometers are no longer recommended because they can break and allow mercury to evaporate and be inhaled. This is not safe, especially for children.
When choosing a thermometer, consider using a digital thermometer that uses an electronic heat sensor to record body temperature.
This type of thermometer can be used rectally (through the anus), orally (through the mouth), and in the armpit.
For children, another safer option is to use a digital ear thermometer. These thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature inside the ear canal.
The temperature measurement process is also very fast so children don’t have to wait too long.
Here are several types of ways to measure body temperature using a thermometer:
The most accurate way to take a temperature is rectally for children under two years of age. To do this, turn on the digital thermometer and lubricate the tip of the thermometer withpetroleum jelly.
Position the baby or child on his or her back, raise his or her thighs, and insert the lubricated thermometer 1.3 to 2.5 centimeters into the rectum.
When doing this, the child can be placed on a bed, on a parent’s lap, or on another hard surface.
Do not insert the thermometer tip too deeply and try to force the rectal thermometer in if there is resistance.
Hold the thermometer in place until the thermometer has finished measuring the temperature. Remove the thermometer and read the number.
Turn on the digital thermometer , then place the tip of the thermometer under your child’s tongue towards the back of the mouth and ask your child to close his or her mouth.
Remove the thermometer when the temperature measurement is complete and read the number. If your child has just eaten or drunk, wait 15 minutes to take the temperature by mouth.
Turn on the digital thermometer and place the thermometer under the child’s armpit. Make sure the tip of the thermometer touches the skin, not clothing.
While the thermometer is reading the child’s temperature, hug the child and keep the side holding the thermometer on the parent’s chest.
Keep the thermometer firmly in place until the thermometer signals that the temperature measurement is complete, then remove the thermometer and read the number.
Turn on the thermometer and then gently place the thermometer in the child’s ear. Follow the thermometer’s instructions to ensureParentshave inserted the thermometer at the correct distance into the ear canal.
Hold the thermometer firmly in place until the thermometer beeps, then remove the thermometer and read the number.
If the temperature reaches above 38°C, the child can be said to have a fever. However, keep in mind that there is a slight difference in temperature between each method.
Quoting from Today’s ParentNatalie Orovec, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at McMaster University and a pediatrician in Stoney Creek, Ontario, says that the temperature on a thermometer alone does not dictate how to treat a fever, but rather how the child is doing.
If the child looks fine or is not weak, it is better to provide treatment to treat the discomfort, for example by applying a compress.
2. Dress your child in light clothes
When a child has a fever, the first thing Parents should do is make sure their little one’s clothes are not too thick. Make sure he or she is not wearing clothes or blankets that are too hot and thick.
Launching the pageKidsHealth,Babies and young children, especially newborns, can develop fevers if they overfeed or are in a hot environment because they cannot yet regulate their body temperature.
Wearing clothes that are too thick can also prevent body heat from escaping and can cause body temperature to rise higher.
Besides that,ParentsYou should also keep the room at a cool temperature. If it is too cold, give your child a thin blanket or dress them in long-sleeved pajamas.
However, if the temperature is too hot, make sure the room has good ventilation or try turning on the fan at low speed.
3. Prepare warm water
Children with fevers do not always need to be given fever-reducing medication . If a child has a fever and is feeling unwell, it is not always clear whether they are feeling unwell because of the fever or because of an underlying illness. So, reducing the fever does not necessarily make them better.
Basically there are two ways to reduce fever, namely using medication or using compresses.
Many parents, when their child is sick and has a fever, give them a cold compress because they think it can cool them down and lower the temperature.
However, this is the wrong thing to do.Parentsmust know the difference between hot and cold compresses.
Cold compresses serve to reduce blood circulation, tighten pores, thereby preventing heat loss from the body.
Meanwhile, warm compresses will cause the body’s pores to enlarge, widen peripheral blood vessels, increase heat dissipation so that it can reduce fever.
Warm water can reduce a child’s fever quickly, namely by lowering body temperature by 1-2 degrees Celsius.
To prepare a warm compress, fill a bowl with warm water.Parentscan mix hot and cold water and check the warmth of the water by dipping your elbow into the water. Then, prepare a washcloth that can absorb water well.
4. Apply a Compress
Lower body temperature with a warm water compress. The method is to dip a sponge, small towel, or washcloth into warm water, wring it out a little, then wipe it thoroughly over the child’s body, especially in the folds of the body.
In general, compresses can also be placed on the forehead. However, another great way to reduce a child’s fever is to place a washcloth on their wrist or groin.
These areas are where blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin and that will help cool the child’s body temperature.
5. Change Compress
Once the washcloth used for the compress has cooled, dip it again in warm water and place it back on the child’s forehead.
Change the compress every few hours, and stop using it after the child’s body temperature has been checked using a thermometer and shows a normal temperature.
Why is Cold Compression Not Recommended for Children?
Cold compresses or ice packs are not recommended. According to IDAI , cold compresses when a child has a fever can cause blood vessels to constrict and ultimately prevent the body from losing heat. The child can also shiver because of it.
However, some researchers suggest that we stop compressing when the body temperature drops to 38°C. Why?
Dr Paul Young, a doctor at Wellington Hospital New Zealand and a fever researcher, said there was some evidence that reducing fever could slow the healing of infections.
Meanwhile, CBS medical expert DR Jennifer Ashton told theEarly Showin USsaid, “This (fever) is the body’s response to fighting bacterial or viral infections.
And it’s really a jump-start that the immune system does to help fight off an infection. So a fever is definitely not a bad thing.”
Parents , if the fever does not go away after 3 days, seek medical help immediately.
First Aid for Children with Fever
Fever most often occurs when the body is trying to fight off an infection. The internal body temperature rises as a defense mechanism, trying to make the body hot enough so that the invading germs won’t survive.
Even though the intention is good, fever makes us feel unwell and hinders our activities.Parents, if your child has a fever but is still playing and active,Parentsno need to do anything to lower his body temperature.
It is natural ifParentsworry when your child has a fever. SometimesParentsshould take the child to the doctor when they have a fever, but it depends on the thermometer reading.
However, if the child is under 3 months old with a temperature of 40ºC, thenParentsIt is better to visit a pediatrician.
This is not because the fever will hurt them, but babies can have very serious illnesses that cause fevers and they may need to have special tests to make sure they get the right treatment.
If you are concerned about your child’s temperature , contact a healthcare provider to discuss symptoms and get recommendations for treatment.
Or, for first aid, parents can also take the following steps, quoting from Very Well Health.
1. Lower the Heat
Fever-reducing medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce fever.
However, it is best to consult a doctor first before giving any medication to your child, especially if the baby is under 3 months old.
2. Drink More Fluids
Staying hydrated is very important. Higher body temperatures can cause dehydration more quickly.
Drinking fluids can reduce the chances of becoming dehydrated and can even help cool the body.
3. Take a shower
Taking a bath can help reduce fever, but the most important thing is not to take a cold bath .
While it may seem more helpful than a warm bath, immersion in cold or ice water will cause the child to shiver and increase the internal temperature.
Bathing with normal water temperature, not too cold and not too hot will make your child relax and can reduce fever.
*** First aid that can be given when a child has a fever is to use a warm water compress.
Therefore, it is betterParentsknow the right way to compress a child with a fever.
We hope this information is useful and that your little one gets well soon!
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
