Patient's question:
In the afternoon, my temperature was a bit high, 37.7 degrees, with a fever. After using the physical cooling method, I slept for a while. At night, in addition to the same temperature, I used the physical cooling method again (giving him a hair wash, applying alcohol to the palms and soles for heat conduction). When sleeping at night, it seemed that touching the forehead was no longer hot...Doctor's answer:
The basal body temperature of children is much higher than that of adults, so a temperature of 37.6°C is not considered low-grade fever. If the child has no other symptoms of fever or inflammation, it is normal. The body temperature regulation center of children is not very stable, making them prone to repeated fluctuations in body temperature. Unlike adults, whose body temperature regulation centers are fully developed. Therefore, if the child's temperature is around 37.7°C and they show no discomfort, there is no problem. The temperature fluctuation is due to the body temperature regulation center of the child not being fully developed yet, rather than any organic disease causing the temperature change.Advice: Regarding your question about how to reduce fever, if the child has a fever at home, you can use physical cooling methods. The most effective methods are ice bag cooling and alcohol bathing. Ice bag cooling involves placing an ice bag on areas where major blood vessels run, such as the forehead, armpits, and groin, to lower the temperature. If you don’t have an ice bag, you can fill a soda bottle with water, freeze it in the refrigerator, wrap it in a towel, and use it for cooling on the child’s forehead, armpits, and groin.
For alcohol bathing, you have already tried it. It’s recommended to use high-proof liquor, as alcohol’s ability to dissolve and conduct heat helps lower the temperature. Apply it every half hour to the child’s limbs.
I hope this helps, and I wish your child good health!