The 1 Common Remedy You Should Never Use When Your Child Has A Fever

It might seem like a no-brainer to use a cold wet sponge or flannel to cool kids down when they’re roasting hot with a fever. But experts heavily warn against it. Recently, Dr Christabel Akinola shared a cautionary tale on Instagram about a mum who sponged her child with cold water from the fridge when she noticed he was burning up.The parent apparently sponged his chest, back, neck and head, the doctor explained. The boy then shivered violently and stopped moving – he was then rushed to hospital.“Do you know that you should not use cold water for tepid sponging during a fever?” said Dr Akinola, adding that this is because “using cold water causes blood vessels in the skin to constrict, trapping hot blood in the core, preventing heat loss and worsening the fever”.She said the sudden temperature contrast “can trigger a seizure or even collapse the cardiovascular system”.Is this true?You see it in films and your parents’ generation might’ve relied on this method, too. However HuffPost UK spoke to two GPs who confirmed that cool water sponging is never recommended. The NHS website also advises parents not to sponge children down to cool them and a fever in children leaflet from NHS North Tees and Hartlepool goes one step further and warns: “Never tepid or cold sponge your child as this can cause shivering which can make their temperature rise further.”Why is this?Dr Kevin Barrett, a GP from Hertfordshire, told HuffPost UK that sponging children with cold water when they have a fever is not recommended for a few reasons.“Firstly, fever is part of the body’s natural responses and lowering it can interfere with the ability to fight infections,” he explained.This could also potentially prolong the illness or make the child feel worse, added Dr Naveed Asif, a GP at The London General Practice.“Secondly it can be an uncomfortable experience for the child who may already be feeling cold despite having a fever,” said Dr Barrett.Dr Asif noted that using cool water can also cause the child’s body temperature to drop too quickly, triggering shivering, which could raise their temperature instead of reducing it.“If the water is too cold or the child is left exposed for too long, there is a danger of hypothermia, particularly in younger children or infants,” he added.Cold water sponging can also be “dangerous”, said Dr Barrett, as in extreme cases it can “divert blood to the skin away from the critical organs and can contribute to these shutting down, with potentially fatal consequences”.“There is little solid evidence to support the effectiveness of sponging for reducing fever in children,” Dr Asif concluded.“Most clinical guidelines suggest alternative methods of management since the benefits of sponging haven’t been proven in well-conducted studies.”What to try insteadIf your child has a fever, Dr Asif recommends the following instead of cold water sponging:Dress the child in light clothing and keep the room at a comfortable temperature, avoiding excessive layers.Ensure the child stays well-hydrated to prevent dehydration, which can accompany fever.Monitor the child regularly, including during the night, to keep an eye on their comfort and any changes in their condition. As per the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, fever-reducing medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen can be used to alleviate discomfort. However, they shouldn’t be given routinely just to lower fever in an otherwise healthy child. It’s also crucial to remember that these medications don’t prevent febrile convulsions and shouldn’t be used specifically for that purpose. Encourage the child to eat if they feel like it, as maintaining nutrition is key to recovery.The main focus in managing fever should be treating the underlying infection rather than just lowering the fever. Antibiotics may be necessary for children who seem unwell or distressed, as this may indicate a bacterial infection needing treatment.He added: “It’s also important to remember that high temperatures are a natural response to infections, and most fevers in children are linked to minor, self-limiting illnesses such as viral respiratory infections like colds or coughs.“If a fever persists or is accompanied by concerning symptoms, parents should consult a healthcare professional.”Related...This Is When Parents Should Be Worried About A Child's FeverThe One Painkiller You Should Never Give To Kids With ChickenpoxParents Slammed For Chickenpox Party Plans – Here’s Why The NHS Warns Against It

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