How and with what to wipe the child with fever?

All mothers know how hard it is when your dear and beloved son or daughter gets sick. The baby has a fever, his cheeks are burning, and he runs around the room as if nothing had happened, cheerful and happy, while the mother can't find a place for herself. When you yourself are sick, the temperature problem is solved simply: take an aspirin or another antipyretic, and the fever disappears. But when it comes to our children, mothers are inclined to think that stuffing them with pills is not a solution, because there is a simple and effective way - wiping the child with vodka, vinegar and even plain water when he has a fever, which helps to quickly and relatively safely reduce the body temperature that we see on the thermometer.

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Indications for the procedure

No matter how worried we are about our children, it is important to remember that an increase in temperature, called fever, is nothing more than a protective and adaptive reaction of the body, which is trying to fight the pathogenic factor on its own. And there is nothing bad about it.

We observe an increase in thermometer readings with various active bacterial and viral infections, burns and mechanical injuries, internal bleeding. An increase in temperature can also be observed in the postoperative period. Allergic reactions can also be accompanied by fever.

An increase in temperature stimulates the reaction of the immune system, which in the human body is designed to protect the body from all kinds of infections (in particular viruses and bacteria).

Read also: How to bring down a child's temperature and is it worth doing?

The increase in temperature itself is a physiologically determined factor that is not capable of causing harm to a small organism until its indicators reach certain values, at which the process of blood thickening begins. But this already poses a danger not only to the well-being, but also to the life of a small patient, and is a reason for taking urgent measures, such as taking antipyretic drugs or wiping a child with a temperature.

But don't be scared right away. A critical, i.e. life-threatening, body temperature is considered to be 40 degrees and above. An increase in body temperature slightly above 37 degrees is due to adaptation factors and changes in the thermoregulation process. However, for many bacteria and viruses, such a temperature is already fatal.

What happens to the rest? At 38 degrees, the real fight against the disease begins with the help of antibodies (interferons) synthesized in the body. They are the ones that are able to modify viruses, forcing them to "get sick" and gradually leading the pathogenic flora to death.

In principle, even a temperature of 38 degrees does not pose a danger to a person, and it does not matter whether it is an adult or a child. This means that until the body temperature reaches 38 degrees, there is no point in trying to bring it down. Let the immune system do its job without interference from us.

It's a different matter if the child reacts badly to the increase in temperature, which happens quite rarely. Many mothers, on the contrary, are surprised that their babies remain active and cheerful even at a temperature of 39 degrees. However, doing nothing at such a high temperature is fundamentally wrong, because under the influence of a temperature of 38 degrees, processes begin to occur that interfere with the normal functioning of the body.

From all of the above, we conclude that the indications for the procedure of wiping a child are:

• an increase in his body temperature above 38 degrees,
• if the baby does not tolerate high temperatures well, rubdowns can be carried out at lower temperatures (preferably not lower than 37.5 degrees),
• the appearance of febrile seizures, which sometimes occurs in children with high temperatures.

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Preparation

Despite the fact that rubbing the child and other measures to reduce the temperature are recommended when the baby's body temperature is above 38 degrees, you need to start acting based on the situation.

If a child becomes lethargic at 37.5, looks sick or tired, then the first thing you need to do is put him to bed, provide peace and quiet. Doctors recommend giving the child as much liquid as possible at this time. You can drink both clean boiled water and juices, sweet tea or compote. Drinks should not be cold, but they should not be too hot either.

Warm tea with raspberries or currants has a remarkable effect on fever caused by an infectious factor. Products rich in vitamin C also help to reduce the temperature without pills and rubbing.

The temperature in the room where the sick child is located should be between 18 and 21 degrees. In such conditions, the child will feel most comfortable. To maintain the required air temperature, you can use an air conditioner and a fan, the main thing is that the cold air coming from electrical appliances is not directed at the baby.

It is necessary to ensure that there is access to fresh air in the room, i.e. it must be regularly ventilated.

If the baby feels well and does not want to lie in bed, do not forcibly restrict his movements. It is enough to give him more to drink.

Clothes should be natural, preferably cotton. This is necessary so that the child does not overheat during active games and does not provoke an even greater increase in temperature.

Particular attention should be paid to children who wear diapers. When the temperature rises, they will have to be abandoned, since they will interfere with normal heat exchange, creating a greenhouse effect that does not contribute to a decrease in temperature.

To begin with, you can try placing a wet napkin on the baby's forehead, having previously soaked it in cool water and wrung it out slightly. As soon as the napkin has warmed up, it is cooled again in water and placed on the baby's forehead.

If after all these measures the temperature continues to rise, you need to be prepared for active physical action that helps cool the baby's skin, improving heat transfer. This is the effect of rubbing the baby down at a temperature, which our mothers and grandmothers practiced.

Preparation for wiping comes down to preparing water or a solution with which we will moisturize the baby's skin, and completely undressing the child. There is no need to worry that the child might freeze. It is worse if you start wrapping him in warm blankets. An air temperature of about 20 degrees is considered the most comfortable with an elevated body temperature.

There are some disagreements about what the temperature of water or other liquid used for rubbing should be. Some advise rubbing with water whose temperature does not exceed 30-31 degrees, citing the fact that the body should be cooled already at the time of the procedure.

But most people still tend to think that the temperature of the water for wiping a child should correspond to normal body temperature, i.e. be within 36-37 degrees. In this way, you can avoid chills that occur when a person's body suddenly cools down. It is not recommended to use warm or especially hot water for wiping in order to reduce the temperature.

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Technique baby rubs for fever

After the water or special solution for wiping the child at a temperature has been prepared, and the baby is undressed, you can proceed directly to the procedure itself.

To wipe the child, you can take a soft waffle towel, a cotton (not synthetic) napkin or a bandage folded in several layers. Wet the cloth well in water, herbal decoction or prepared solution, squeeze it out slightly and begin to gently wipe the child's entire body.

It is recommended to start wiping the baby's arms, then move on to the legs, and only after that moisturize the entire body, including the face and neck. The movements should not be too intense, especially if the child is very small. It is enough to gently blot the skin with a napkin, leaving it moisturized. The moisture will evaporate from the surface of the body, and the temperature will gradually drop (usually by 1-1.5 degrees).

When wiping a baby with a high body temperature, special attention should be paid to the cute folds on the baby's arms, legs and body, as well as the armpits, so that moisture evaporates over the entire surface of the skin.

During the procedure, you need to control the temperature of the liquid used for wiping. The water should not be cold. If the water has cooled down, you can dilute it with hot water.

After finishing the rubbing procedure, it is advisable to leave the child's body uncovered. If the child is very small or the room temperature is slightly below 18 degrees, you can cover the baby with a thin sheet or diaper.

Rubbing with water and herbal mixtures

So, we have figured out how to properly wipe a child, and at what body temperature it is carried out. It's time to figure out what liquids and compositions can be used for the above procedure.

The most popular and safe liquid used for wiping is clean, warm water. Wiping with water at a high temperature is suitable for a child of any age, starting with infants, since it does not cause discomfort or allergic reactions.

Even doctors themselves recommend rubbing with water when you have a fever, either as an independent remedy or in combination with other methods of reducing the temperature.

But water is not the only liquid that can be used to wipe a child with a fever. Instead of water, you can use a decoction of medicinal herbs that the mother usually uses to bathe the baby. Rubbing should be done with a decoction (infusion) at room temperature.

This rubdown has a positive effect on the child's skin, which is prone to drying out in hot weather. The main thing is that the use of herbal infusion or decoction does not cause an allergic reaction in the child.

Read also: Rubbing with vodka at a temperature: proportions and how to do it

Rubbing with vinegar and vodka

Water and herbal compositions that the child is not allergic to cannot harm the child's body, which cannot be said about vinegar. Doctors and parents have two opinions about wiping with vinegar when a child has a fever. Some of them consider such a procedure not useful, but, on the contrary, harmful for the baby, since vinegar can cause burning and overdrying of delicate baby skin.

Doctors most often oppose wiping children with vinegar, especially if they are under 3 years old. They refer to the fact that such a procedure contributes to the intoxication of the child's body, because the acetic acid itself in the vinegar can penetrate through the pores of the skin, and its vapors get into the baby's respiratory tract. But if there is no other way to quickly bring down the temperature, you can resort to wiping with vinegar.

However, many parents successfully use this method of combating high temperatures, considering it more effective than wiping with plain water. The effect of such wiping is noticeable much faster, because vinegar removes fat from the skin, reducing the surface tension of droplets of liquid and sweat, and therefore the process of moisture evaporation occurs more actively.

It is clear that pure vinegar, which can leave burns on the skin, is not used for wiping. We are talking about an aqueous solution of vinegar (9% table or apple). It is not recommended to use acetic acid for these purposes, since it will be difficult to maintain the optimal proportions so that there is an effect and no harm to the baby's health.

The following ratio of water and vinegar is considered optimal: 1 tablespoon of vinegar per 500 ml of warm water. The water should be warm so that after adding vinegar its temperature does not fall below 36 degrees and does not cause the baby to shiver. It is recommended to mix water with vinegar in glass, ceramic, porcelain or enamelware.

Another effective composition, practiced since time immemorial, is an aqueous solution of alcohol. Most often, at home, alcohol is replaced with regular 40% vodka.

Rubbing a child with vodka at a temperature is carried out in the same way as with vinegar. Add 1 tablespoon of vodka or half as much alcohol to warm water, after which gently wipe the child's skin all over the body with a water-alcohol solution.

Such rubdowns are unacceptable in the treatment of children under 7 years old. Our ancestors thought so. As for the opinion of doctors, the overwhelming majority of them are categorically against such a procedure. In small children, the strong smell of alcohol (as well as vinegar) can cause spasm of the respiratory tract. Passing through the baby's skin, alcohol causes poisoning of the body, and besides, its effect does not quite correspond to the circumstances. The fact is that by cooling the skin, alcohol simultaneously contributes to an increase in the temperature of the internal organs, which is very dangerous for the body.

Alternatively, some practice vodka-vinegar rubdowns on a child with a high temperature. To prepare the rubdown mixture, mix equal parts of vodka, vinegar, and water. The mixture is prepared in a preheated container so that its temperature is not lower than room temperature.

And again, having a sharp unpleasant smell, such a composition for wiping can provoke a respiratory spasm in the baby, and its effect on the child's body will be more negative (intoxication) than positive (lowering the temperature).

Experience shows that the temperature in most cases decreases when using any composition for rubbing. But since the effect of this procedure is most often temporary and may require multiple repetitions, when choosing an effective method, it is worth thinking about its safety.

Even a single rubdown with vodka or vinegar can harm a baby, let alone two or three times or more. So maybe it's worth not taking risks and sticking to the safest method of reducing a child's temperature - rubdown with water?

Read also: Rubbing with vinegar at high temperature: the right proportions

Contraindications to the procedure

Despite the fact that rubbing a child with a temperature is considered the safest method of fighting fever, its use should be approached with caution. There are situations when the most seemingly elementary and harmless procedure, if approached incorrectly, brings with it big problems. And the parents themselves are to blame for this, who did not take into account that any drug or treatment method may have its own contraindications for the use of the drug or the procedure.

The least dangerous thing for the baby's health is to rub it with plain water. The only relative contraindication to this procedure is a temperature above 39.5 degrees and close to critical. It is unlikely that such a high temperature will be brought down by regular rubbing, but complications from it can be expected with a high probability if the treatment is ineffective.

But before practicing rubbing with vinegar or vodka, you need to take into account the physiological characteristics of the baby's body and any illnesses he has.

Vinegar and vodka can have an irritating effect on damaged skin. This means that rubbing with such aggressive solutions is not allowed if the child's skin has wounds, scratches or other damage, including manifestations of many skin diseases (skin irritation, rash, prickly heat).

Alcohol and acetic acid vapors can cause a child to have a spasm of the respiratory system. This means that the procedure of wiping the baby's body with aqueous solutions of vinegar and vodka is contraindicated for children with bronchial asthma due to the risk of an attack of the disease. Allergy sufferers and children with a cough can also react negatively to strong odors.

By and large, most doctors agree that vinegar and vodka rubdowns are generally contraindicated for small children. They are definitely not recommended for children under 3 years old.

Pediatricians do not recommend rubbing a child down if he has a fever, if he feels unwell or if he is shivering. Rubbing down is also not done in case of diarrhea, acute stage of any disease, exacerbation of any chronic pathology, tendency to allergic reactions.

If the child has a fever, but his hands and feet remain cold, rubbing is also not done.

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Consequences after the procedure

The consequences of short-sightedness of parents who practice rubbing children with vodka-vinegar solutions, noticeable already during the procedure or some time after it, are respiratory spasms, allergic reactions, poisoning of the delicate child's body with harmful toxic substances in alcohol and vinegar. Hence, diseases of the respiratory system, liver and kidneys, a significant decrease in immunity, and as a consequence, new diseases, with or without fever.

Complications after the procedure

Undoubtedly, a sudden rapid increase in temperature in a child is dangerous for the child's body. What are febrile seizures worth, lasting up to 15 minutes and so frightening for the baby's parents, not to mention the pathological changes in the body.

But the sharp drop in temperature that we observe after wiping a child with a high temperature with water solutions of vinegar and alcohol is no less dangerous. True, not everyone knows about it. The optimal decrease in body temperature within 1 hour is considered to be 1-1.5 degrees. If this figure doubles, there is a high risk of the child developing acute vascular insufficiency, scientifically called collapse.

Such a complication after the procedure of wiping a child at a high temperature is considered very dangerous, since it is accompanied by disturbances in cerebral circulation and, as a consequence, oxygen starvation of the brain.

As for rubbing with vodka, the following picture is observed: the procedure causes a spasm of the central and peripheral vessels, which provokes a weakening of the blood flow, a slowdown in heat transfer occurs, and the amount of sweat released decreases. It turns out that only the skin and muscle tissue cool down, while the temperature of the internal organs continues to rise, posing a danger to the life of the baby.

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Care after the procedure

It is advisable to wipe the child with a fever for 15-20 minutes, after which the child is left undressed so as not to interfere with heat transfer and temperature reduction. If desired, you can blow air on the child for 5 minutes using a hair dryer turned on at low power. In this case, the air will be warm, not hot, which can provoke a new attack of fever.

If the room is cool, it is better to put the child to bed and cover it with a light cotton sheet, leaving the baby's arms and legs exposed. But under no circumstances should you wrap the child in warm clothes or a blanket, otherwise the procedure will have the opposite effect.

After wiping down infants, you can loosely cover them with a sheet, but again, not a flannel one, but a cotton one.

If the baby's skin becomes irritated after wiping with water solutions of vodka or vinegar, it is necessary to rinse it with clean water and then wipe it with a napkin soaked in a decoction (infusion) of chamomile, string or calendula. Lubricating the skin with anti-inflammatory or soothing baby cream will help relieve irritation.

If there is no effect and the temperature continues to rise, as well as if symptoms of intoxication appear in the child, it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance so that specialists can provide qualified assistance to the child.

It is up to parents to decide which method of reducing their child's temperature they choose. However, in a state of panic (and most mothers are prone to this), one should not forget that the end does not always justify the means, especially when it comes to the child's health.

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