Perhaps one of the scariest ailments to occur at home is a raging fever. While the body uses a fever to rid itself of pathogens, it can leave you or a loved one feeling very ill. Oftentimes, we just wait for the fever to break because we don’t think there is much to do about it. The truth is that some fevers can’t just be “waited out” and there are a few ways to break the fever before you get any sicker. Read ahead to get a few ideas about how you can get rid of a fever using things you have around the home.
Cool Off
Although shivering and teeth-chattering commonly occur with high fever, one of the very best ways to bring that fever down is to cool off. Drink cold water, undress and take a cool bath or shower to quickly reduce your body’s temperature. Run a cloth under cool water and wrap it around your head or neck. These will likely be the hottest areas of your body, so getting them to a cool temperature will make your entire body feel much better.
Basil Tea
A famous natural fever reducer is basil tea. One teaspoon of honey, 1 and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper can be brought to a boil in one cup of water. The tea should be left to steep for about twenty minutes while the spices and honey blend. The liquid provides hydration, which is necessary for fever relief. Basil’s essential oils are proven to aid in several ailments, including fevers.
Popsicles
Adults and children often have little interest in drinking fluids during a fever, but hydration is necessary due to the rapid fluid loss that happens with fever.. A solution to this comes in a form that nearly anyone can enjoy. Popsicles and frozen fruit bars offer a tasty way to ensure kids and grown-ups get the fluids they need while febrile.
Over-the-Counter Medication
Store-bought medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin are well-known fever reducers. According to the medical professionals of Urgent Care of Beverly Hills, these drugs work with the body to reduce body temperature, and they can work in as little as thirty minutes. Directions should also be followed as stated on the label, and children under two years old shouldn’t take anything other than age-appropriate acetaminophen without their doctor’s approval.
Starve the Fever
Once thought of as a mere wives’ tale, the phrase “feed a cold, starve a fever” now has significant scientific value. In the case of bacterial infection, research has shown that consuming foods while feverish can lead to a worsening infection. As it turns out, the body “hides” certain minerals during a bacterial infection to protect your body from bacterial growth. If waiting to eat is possible, the fever might break sooner than later.
Wait it Out
Fever is the body’s way of discharging an invading bacteria or virus. While it might seem as if the fever is the culprit, it really is just trying to help. Allowing a low-grade fever to run its course is advisable. If above remedies bring the fever down but do not completely break it, that is okay. However, if the fever spikes to 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above for more than a few hours without treatment, one or more of the above remedies can be used.
While a fever can leave you feeling fatigued, disoriented and uncomfortable, the above six home remedies can help you overcome it. If the fever is caused by a virus, it will generally break and get better. In the case of bacterial infection, or if you have the flu, the fever will persist. If this is the case, you should seek medical attention for possible antibiotic treatment.
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