Your body's temperature varies during the day, depending upon your activity level, heart rate, or even the room temperature. The Medical Center at the University of Maryland defines a fever as a body temperature exceeding 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit on an oral thermometer. A high fever, over 103 degrees F, may indicate an infection or a medical emergency. Consult your doctor, but you may also try a few natural remedies to help bring down that fever.
Cool Down
Sitting in a bathtub filled with lukewarm water may lower a high fever. A sponge bath with lukewarm water may also help. If the water is too cold, it may encourage shivering, which may cause the body's temperature to rise.
Physical activity can keep the fever up. You should lie down in a cool bedroom with lightweight clothing, a light blanket or bed sheet until the fever subsides.
Herbal Treatments
Sipping lukewarm or cooled tea made from boneset, peppermint, yarrow or elderflower may help bring down a high fever, according to the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.
Essential oils of eucalyptus, hyssop, lemon and camphor may ease a high fever when added to a massage lotion.
Hydrate
Avoid dehydration and drink plenty of fluids to replace water lost through sweating. Frozen fruit juice pops are soothing to a parched throat and may lower the fever while supplying necessary hydration.
If you can't get down liquids, or if your fever is very high and accompanied by a severe headache and neck stiffness, seizures, confusion or other symptoms, it may signify a medical emergency and you should seek professional treatment.
References
- University of Maryland, Medical Center: Fever
- Mayo Clinic: Lifestyle and Home Remedies for Fever
- Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 2; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
