How to Reduce a Fever Naturally
Having a fever doesn't mean you have to run to the doctor. Here are some simple ways to bring your temperature down without medicine.
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Stop the sniffles, sneezing, and wheezing fast with these home remedies.
You Will Need
- A bed or couch for sleeping
- Water
- A bathtub
- Washcloths
- Two pair of socks
- A thermostat
- A thermometer
Steps
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Step 1
Get lots of rest
Your body is running a high temperature because of an infection, so get plenty of rest. This lets your body concentrate fully on fighting the infection.
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Step 2
Drink lots of fluids
Drinking a lot of water – 10 8-ounce glasses a day at least when you're sick – keeps your body hydrated, and will also lower your internal temperature.
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Step 3
Take a lukewarm bath
Take a nice lukewarm bath. Not too hot, which could escalate the fever, and not too cold, which could shock your system. This will lower your skin temperature gradually.
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Avoid cooling off the body too quickly, or you won't rid yourself of the infection your body is fighting.
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Step 4
Cool washcloths
Place cool – not cold – washcloths on the wrists, under the arm, on the forehead, and over the groin. Using cool, damp rags over these four key areas will slowly cool the body.
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Step 5
Put damp socks on your feet
While you're putting cool rags over various body parts, put a pair of cool, damp socks on your feet, with a dry pair over the top. This lets your ankles cool while still allowing you to walk around.
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Step 6
Keep the home a moderate temperature
Even though a person running a fever may feel cold, do not overheat the home. Instead, keep the house at a moderate temperature of 70 to 74 degrees.
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Step 7
Don't wear heavy clothing
A person running a fever should not wear heavy clothes or wrap themselves in heavy blankets. Doing so makes it difficult for the body to shed extra heat; instead, wear light clothing.
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Step 8
Monitor the fever
If these remedies don't work and a baby less than 3 months old is running a temperature of more than 101 degrees, or a child or adult's temperature is over 103 degrees, see a doctor.
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Fever is also known as Pyrexia, which comes from the Greek word meaning fire.
