What are the physical cooling methods for adults?

Fever is an extremely common disease. Generally, drug treatment is not recommended if the temperature does not exceed 38 degrees. Correct physical cooling can also achieve good cooling effects. Common methods include alcohol baths, wet compresses, baths, etc. Patients who are allergic to alcohol should use them with caution. If the body temperature continues to rise under physical cooling, you must seek medical attention in time to avoid high fever.

1. Physical cooling method for fever - alcohol bath

Effect: When using alcohol to scrub the patient's skin, it can not only stimulate the expansion of skin blood vessels in patients with high fever and increase the skin's heat dissipation capacity; but also because of its volatility, it can absorb and take away a large amount of heat, thereby lowering body temperature and relieving symptoms.

Method: Soak gauze or a soft towel in alcohol, wring it until half dry, and gently wipe the patient's neck, chest, armpits, limbs, palms and soles of feet. The concentration of alcohol used for bathing should not be too high, otherwise using high-concentration alcohol over a large area may irritate the skin and absorb a large amount of moisture from the epidermis.

2. Physical cooling method for fever - wet compress

Effect: Wet compresses help lower body temperature. Hot wet compresses can reduce fever. However, when the patient feels very uncomfortable with the heat, cold wet compresses should be used instead.

Method: Place a cold wet towel on the forehead, wrists, and calves, and cover other parts with clothes. When the cold compress reaches body temperature, it should be changed and repeated until the fever subsides. You can also wrap ice cubes in a cloth bag and place it on your forehead.

3. Physical cooling method for fever - bathing

Effect: Taking a bath can take away the heat from the body surface, help dissipate the heat in the body, and cure fever quickly.

Method: Be careful not to make the bath water temperature too high, it can be about 2 degrees lower than body temperature. The bathing time should not be too long, no more than 10 minutes. After washing, dry yourself immediately and put on proper clothes to avoid catching a cold again.

4. Precautions for fever

If the following situations occur, you should see a doctor immediately.

1. Babies under 4 months old have fever.

2. Fever is associated with neck stiffness.

3. When the fever is above 40.5℃ and home remedies are ineffective.

4. High fever above 41.1C.

5. Fever lasting more than 5 days.

6. For children under 6 years old, if the oral temperature exceeds 38.8℃, it may cause convulsions.

7. Adults with chronic diseases, such as heart disease or respiratory diseases, may not be able to withstand a persistent high fever.