Taking a Bath With a Fever

What do you do when you suddenly start feeling chilly and feverish? You probably wrap yourself in a dozen blankets to protect yourself from feeling cold and perhaps hope to reduce the body temperature. At this time, taking a bath seems out of question, right? But, the fact is that you probably end up doing all the wrong stuff when you have fever.

Though, getting under a shower or in a bathtub sounds a cruel idea when you are shivering with cold, it can actually be beneficial for your fever treatment. Now, read on to know how fever and bathing can go together.

How Does Taking a Bath with a Fever Help

☛ Fever is characterized by a surge in body temperature and is often accompanied by chills. It is the body's own mechanism of getting rid of excess heat inside the body. Normally, people tend to wrap themselves in warm clothes, with layers of coverings.

☛ This is actually a wrong practice and is not effective in giving the desired effect. By covering your body in layers of clothing, you prevent the heat from escaping the body. The trapped heat does little to lower the body temperature.

☛ As a result, you may continue to remain feverish. On the other hand, when you take a bath, the water actually helps the heat to escape. Within a few minutes, you'll notice a steep decline in the temperature. However, this may be a temporary phase and you still need to continue with the conventional fever remedies.

Types of Fever Bath Therapies

During fever, bathing with lukewarm water helps in a number of ways, as it relaxes you while lowering your body temperature. Choose a fever bath therapy according to your age and body temperature.

Sponge Bath

☛ Sponge bath is particularly effective for babies and young children. Adults with high fever, who cannot bathe on their own, may also benefit from a sponge bath. For a sponge bath, take some lukewarm water or water at room temperature in a small tub.

☛ Soak a piece of sponge in it and then gently squeeze it to remove the excess water. Wipe the body of the person, suffering from fever, with this sponge.

☛ You may add a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile so that the person feels fresh. A sponge bath during high fever is quite effective in lowering the temperature quickly.

Bathtub

☛ If you feel energetic enough to bathe yourself, then you may try a bubble bath in a bathtub. Fill the bathtub with warm water and get inside it.

☛ Avoid using cold water as it may make you shiver, which can increase the body temperature. Relax yourself and spend sometime in the bathtub until the water begins to turn cool.

☛ When it does, either refill the tub with more warm water or get outside and dry yourself properly with a clean towel. You are bound to feel relaxed and in a better state than before. Taking a shower when down with fever may not be a good idea, as you may feel dizzy and unsteady while standing under a shower.

Please note that bathing during fever is helpful only if you have moderate to low-grade fever. If you have fever over 103°F, you should seek medical help to prevent the temperature from rising further. Placing ice packs on the forehead and back of the neck also helps in bringing down the temperature.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.