How to cool down your toddler’s high fever

Nothing is more valuable to a parent than their child. Therefore, your first instinct may be to panic if your child displays symptoms of a high temperature, such as a warm forehead or flushed cheeks. 

Don’t! It might be too soon to call the doctor. 

Your baby’s temperature may change for a variety of reasons, including physical activity, taking a warm bath, battling allergies, digestion, and an increased metabolism. Since body temperatures tend to rise in the late afternoon and early evening, even the time of day can have an effect.

Young children typically have a body temperature of around 37°C (98.6° F). Through the course of the day, this temperature may change by 0.5 degrees. Movement, wearing many layers of clothes, taking a hot bath, or being outside in the heat can all result in temperature increases. 

Officially, your toddler has a low-grade fever after their temperature reaches 38.1° C (100.5°F) or higher. The adult fever threshold is a little higher than this number.

Usually, body temperature rises when your body is fighting a sickness or infection. This should go back down once the body has overcome whatever it was fighting. The duration of a fever can depend on what ails your child.

Fevers in toddlers under 2 years old should not last longer than 24 hours. Children older than 2 should not have fever longer than 72 hours. If the fever persists or your child still feels sick once the fever is gone, call your doctor immediately.

If your baby is acting normal, is still interested in playing, and is still alert, the illness is probably not serious. In addition, don’t worry too much if he or she doesn’t have an appetite. As long as your child’s drinking and urinating normally, not eating as much, as usual, is common with infections that cause fever. As mentioned previously, a higher temperature could indicate the body’s attempt to fight infection.

Should your child seem uncomfortable or in pain, there are several things you can try to bring down your baby’s fever and help him or her feel better. 

Here are a few safe ways to treat your toddler’s high temperature at home:

• Give your toddler children acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which should reduce the fever by a few degrees for some hours.
• Dress your child in light clothing so their layers don’t hold in their body heat.
• In order to keep your child hydrated, encourage them to drink fluids such as water, Gatorade or juice. You can also give your toddler a popsicle. 
• Bathe your child in mildly warm water. Not cold enough so they shiver, as this can raise their body temperature. 
• Put cold washcloths or cooling patches on your child’s forehead or wrists to provide some relief.

Here are some symptoms that warrant a visit to the doctor:

• If your child is crying constantly and complaining about being sick.
• If your child is having difficulty getting out of bed.
• If your child has spent time in a very hot place, such as a hot car.
• If your child has a severe headache or stiff neck.
• If you notice an unexplained rash on your toddler’s body.
• If your child is taking steroids or has an immune system issue.
• If the fever rises to 40 degrees or higher.
• If the fever is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhoea.

If your child exhibits the following, take them immediately to the Emergency Room:

• If your toddler is unresponsive.
• If your child is having trouble breathing.
• If your child has blue lips or skin.
• If your child has a seizure or convulsion.

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