How to Reduce a Fever Fast and Safely

Have that familiar sensation in your body when something doesn’t feel quite right? A thermometer will usually confirm what you already suspect – you’ve come down with a fever. And you’ll consider it your sworn duty to monitor your temperature like a hawk.

Despite much campaigning, fever phobia still flourishes among the masses. The discomfort that comes with a fever doesn’t help popularize it either. Learning about a fever in detail can help you reduce a fever fast and safely without panicking.

Causes and Symptoms of Fever

• The average normal body temperature is considered to be 98.6° F or 37° C. A person is said to be febrile, or have a fever when the body temperature rises above 100.4° F or 38° C. (1)
• A fever is a symptom of some type of illness in the body. An elevated body temperature primarily occurs as an immune response, so that the system can fight off the infection.
• Infections and infectious conditions like a common cold, the flu, malaria, mono or HIV are the most common illnesses that cause a fever.
• Drug-induced fevers are caused by adverse reactions to or withdrawal from certain drugs like antibiotics, narcotics, and antihistamines. (1)
• A heart attack, a hemorrhage and any kind of surgery or trauma may also cause a fever.
• Symptoms that often accompany a fever are lethargy, depression, low appetite, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and increased pain sensitivity. The symptoms that you have help your doctor determine the illness that may be causing the fever.

Treatment of Fever

Consult your doctor or pediatrician if:

• Your body temperature soars above 103° F, especially if it’s accompanied with symptoms like a headache, stiff neck, earache, rashes, dehydration, diarrhea and vomiting.
• Your child under 18 months of age has a temperature that reaches 100.4° F.
• If you or your child has a persistent high fever or the fever lasts a week or more.

There is much debate about whether or not fevers should be reduced, given that they are your body’s natural defense against infection.

A recent study on patients given Tylenol in the ICU found that fever reduction did not result in any significant difference in the number of days in the ICU or odds of death after 90 days when compared to placebo. (2)

In other words, fever reduction may neither help nor harm your body’s ability to fight infection, so it may make sense to help yourself feel comfortable in the interim.

Your goal should not be to break the fever, especially if it’s new as it is part of your body’s way of combatting infection and coping with trauma. If you’re suffering from a high fever, your efforts should aim to bring the fever down to a more comfortable level.

Although Tylenol and Ibuprofen may be used to aid in fever reduction, there are also many remedies that may be used in combination with either of these medications that may help keep your fever in a safe zone without any side effects.

Here are some natural remedies that can help you reduce a fever fast and easily.

Method 1: Use Egg Whites

Primarily an old wives remedy, egg whites have been successfully used to reduce fever for a long time. While there is no scientific proof, overwhelming anecdotal evidence supports the credibility of this remedy. One working explanation is that the viscosity of egg whites contributes to its ability to absorb high amounts of thermal energy.

Things you’ll need:

• Eggs (absorb the body heat) – 2
• Brush

Step 1. Whisk egg whites from 2 eggs

• Crack 2 eggs and drain their whites into a bowl.
• Whisk the whites.

Step 2. Apply egg whites to the soles of your feet

• Apply the whisked egg whites to the soles of your feet with a brush. You may then wear socks to cover your feet.
• When the whites become dry or warm, reapply the egg white coating on the soles.

Continue this until the fever comes down to a more comfortable level.

Method 2: Use White Vinegar

That bottle of white vinegar in your kitchen can come to your rescue if you’re dealing with a high fever late at night. This is another home remedy that has proven effective to reduce a high fever to a comfortable level. (3) However, be mindful that vinegar has the potential to cause damage to sensitive skin, so use judiciously. (4)

Things you’ll need:

• White vinegar (helps reduce fever) – 1 to 2 tablespoons
• A pair of long, wool socks

Step 1. Combine vinegar and water

• Pour 1 cup of water into a bowl.
• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to it and mix thoroughly.

Step 2. Saturate the socks in the solution

• Immerse the socks in the vinegar solution, soaking them completely.
• Wring out the excess dripping liquid.

Step 3. Draw out the fever with the vinegar-soaked socks

• Pull the vinegar-soaked socks onto your feet and up to your calves to draw out a high fever.
• Replace the socks after 45 minutes if the fever doesn’t come down.

Repeat the treatment as needed until you bring down your fever.

Method 3: Use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a popular Austrian home remedy for a fever. It is similar to white vinegar in the application and may take up to 1 hour to work, which is just as well because the body should not be subjected to sudden changes.

As above, vinegar has been shown to have some benefits in reducing fever, but it is important to be mindful of potential damage on sensitive skin. (3) (4)

Things you’ll need:

• Apple cider vinegar (ACV) (lowers the body temperature ) – ½ cup
• A pair of long, wool socks

Step 1. Combine apple cider vinegar and water

• Pour 1 cup of water into a bowl.
• Pour in ½ cup of apple cider vinegar
• Mix the liquids thoroughly.

Step 2. Saturate the socks in the solution

• Dunk the socks into the apple cider vinegar solution.
• Take them out and squeeze them to remove dripping moisture.

Step 3. Use the apple cider vinegar-soaked socks to treat fever

• Put on the apple cider vinegar-soaked socks, covering your feet up to the calves to lower high body temperature.

Repeat as often as required until the fever has reduced.

Method 4: Use a Tepid Sponge

This is perhaps one of the most common ways to bring down a soaring fever. A tepid sponge bath can aid in cooling the body quickly, thus bringing down a high temperature.  This is particularly effective in children. (5)

Step 1. Soak the cloth in lukewarm water

• Simply soak a clean cloth or sponge in the water for 1 to 2 minutes and wring out the excess water.

Step 2. Apply the cloth to your forehead

• Gently apply on the forehead, the underarms, and the groin.
• When the compress warms up, soak the cloth in cold water again.
• Do this for about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Apply to extremities for about 5 minutes, then wipe back and buttocks area for about 5-10 minutes as well.

Repeat these steps as necessary.

Tips to keep in mind

• If your fever is accompanied by chills and shivering, don’t use a wet socks remedy.
• Cloths soaked in white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can also be placed over your wrists, forehead or stomach to bring down the fever.
• It is advised to lie down comfortably in bed while you apply apple cider vinegar or white vinegar wraps.

Resources:

1. Walter EJ, Hanna-Jumma S, et al. Acetaminophen for Fever in Critically Ill Patients with Suspected Infection | NEJM. New England Journal of Medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1508375. Published 2016.
2. Young P, Saxena M. Acetaminophen for Fever in Critically Ill Patients with Suspected Infection | NEJM. New England Journal of Medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1508375. Published December 3, 2015.
3. Mohammed FA, Ahmed EI. A Comparison of Vinegar Compresses vs. Cold Water& Water with Vinegar for treating of Fever at Tropical Hospitals. International Journal of Nursing Science. http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.nursing.20120204.03.html. Published 2012.
4. Korkmaz A, Sahiner U, Yurdakök M. Chemical burn caused by topical vinegar application in a newborn infant. Pediatric dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10720985. Published 2000.
5. Fever in children: How can you reduce a fever? Informed Health Online [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279453/. Published November 17, 2016.

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