A fever is a temporary increase in your body
temperature, often due to an illness. Having a fever is a sign that something
out of the ordinary is going on in your body.
For an adult, a fever may be uncomfortable,
but usually isn't a cause for concern unless it reaches 103 F (39.4 C) or
higher. For infants and toddlers, a slightly elevated temperature may indicate
a serious infection.
Fevers generally go away within a few days. A
number of over-the-counter medications lower a fever, but sometimes it's better
left untreated. Fever seems to play a key role in helping your body fight off a
number of infections.
Depending on what's causing your fever,
additional fever signs and symptoms may include:
- Sweating
- Shivering
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- General weakness
High fevers between 103 F (39.4 C) and 106 F
(41.1 C) may cause:
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Convulsions
- Dehydration
The following are home remedies for fever
that you can use at home
1. Water
Take a bath.
It will relax your muscles and provide relief if you feel tired. If you don’t want
to take a bath, just wash your hands, legs and face with lukewarm water. This
will also provide relief in normal fever.
2. Reduce
the Temperature
Cool down
the temperature of your room. Keep the fan off if you are feeling cold. This
will provide comfort. Don’t bundle yourself in blankets and clothes. This will
make your fever last longer. Sleep and take rest.
3. Diet
Avoid
consuming heavy or junk food while you are sick. Drink fluids and water in a
sufficient amount. Take light food, especially cold yogurt and popsicles. This
really helps in cooling down the temperature.
4.
Aspirin
Consume
something light and take an aspirin after sometime.
5. Basil
Tea
Take 1
tablespoon of basil leaves (fresh and crushed), and ¼ tablespoon of pepper.
Boil them in a cup of water. Steep for 5 minutes and strain it afterwards.
Drink this in order to relax your body.
6. Tartar
Cream
Take 2½ cups
of water. Add ½ tablespoon of juice, ½ tablespoon of honey and 1½ tablespoon of
tartar cream. Mix it all together, and enjoy this amazingly effective tea.
7.
Oregano Tea
Take 1
tablespoon of oregano and 1 tablespoon of marjoram. Mix them with water.
Steep the mix for 4-5 minutes. Let it cool down and add it to your tea.
8. Apple
Water
Take an
apple and boil it in 1.5 cups of water. Boil till the apple becomes soft.
Strain the water and add honey in apple water. Drink it as this will make you
feel good.
9.
Lettuce Water
Take fresh
lettuce and add warm water to it. Soak lettuce leaves in it for several minutes
and strain it afterwards. Mix a tablespoon of honey in it. Allow the mix to
cool down. Drink it at a certain interval of times.
10.
Raisin Water
Take 7½ cups
of water and add ¾ cup of fresh raisins in it. Boil it for a couple of minutes.
Strain it afterwards. Drink this water 6 times a day in order to get relief.
11.
Garlic
Take 1 clove
of garlic and crush it. Add 1 cup of water to a heating pan. Add the crushed
garlic in it and steep for 5 minutes. Let the mixture reach to room temperature
and strain it. Drink this for treating the symptoms of fever.
12. Honey
& Ginger Tea
Make the
usual tea and add ½ tablespoon of ginger (fresh and crushed) and 1 tablespoon
of honey to it. Steep for a few minutes and strain it. Drink this hot. It will
soothe the throat and provide relief in cold and cough.
13. Mix
Herbs
Try this
home remedy when you feel feverish. Boil 2 cups of water and add 1 tablespoon
of yarrow, 1 tablespoon of elderberry flowers, and 1 tablespoon of peppermint.
Steep these herbs for 10 minutes. Drink this mix herb water hot to prevent
fever.
14. Vinegar
Add ½ cup of
vinegar in bath water and soak for 5-10 minutes. It is a natural fever reducer.
15.
Artichokes
Take
artichoke and boil it until it becomes soft. Let it cool down and eat the
middle part of the leaves of artichoke.
16. Onion
Cut a raw
onion into half. Put it underneath your foot, and envelop it in a warm blanket.
You can also put the slices of raw onion in your socks and wear them. This
remedy also works well in alleviating fever.
17.
Mustard Seeds
Take 1
tablespoon of mustard seeds. Boil them in a cup of hot water. Let them boil for
5 minutes and then, strain. Drink it afterwards.
18.
Potato
Slice a
potato and soak it in vinegar. Put it on your forehead, if your forehead feels
hot.
19. Olive
Oil
Heat 2
tablespoons of olive oil (do not over heat it) and add 2 crushed garlic cloves
when the oil reaches the lukewarm level. Put it in a bowl and rub it on the
soles of the foot. This will provide comfort and relief in fever.
20. Wet
Sock Treatment
Soak your
feet in lukewarm water. Dip your socks in cold water. Wear the wet socks just
before approaching the bed. Don a pair of woollen sock on the wet ones. This
will provide relief in fever.
21.
Orange
Eat a raw
orange or drink fresh orange juice. This will fulfil the need of vitamin C in
your body.
23. Cold
Water
Soak a hand
towel in cold water. Wring the surplus water and place it on your neck and
forehead.
25.
Cinnamon Tea
Drinking
cinnamon tea will give you relief in fever. Take 2 cardamoms, a pinch of
cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of powdered ginger. Steep for 5 minutes and drink
hot.
26. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Take a hand
towel and dip it in ACV (apple cider vinegar). Squeeze the towel and place it
on your forehead.
When to see a doctor
Fevers by themselves may not be a cause for alarm — or a
reason to call a doctor. Yet there are some circumstances when you should seek
medical advice for your baby, your child or yourself