Body temperature
Parents often worry when they notice the temperature of their children. Indeed, temperature rise may be a hazard, but it often means that the body works the right way to resist pathogens that fall into the body. Properly measured.
The temperature of the body reflects the body’s ability to produce or remove heat, as the body maintains its temperature despite the difference in external temperatures, by controlling the flow of blood through blood vessels. When the temperature rises, the blood vessels expand into the skin to carry excess heat to the surface of the skin, the body begins to sweat, and when the sweat evaporates, the body temperature drops. When the temperature is low, the blood vessels in the skin narrow, the blood flow decreases so that the heat does not allow the skin to exit through the skin. The body may tremble and the muscles start to tremble, producing more heat.
The normal body temperature ranges between 36.4 – 37.6 ° C, depending on the activity of the child, and the place of temperature measurement. The normal temperature measured from the ear or rectum is slightly higher than the mouth, and those measured from the armpit are lower than the mouth, and the most accurate way to measure the temperature is from the rectum.
Heat, or hyperthermia in adults is defined as a rise in body temperature of more than 38 degrees Celsius in the case of measurement of the mouth or 38.3 of the rectum or ear. In children, ) ° C if measured from rectum.
Measuring the temperature of the child
There are many types of thermometers that can be used to measure the temperature of the child:
- Mercury thermometers : The disadvantages of these scales that the glass is broken, and then it can be inhaled mercury evaporated, which leads to poisoning.
- Digital Thermometers : This type of scales contains electronic temperature sensors, and can be used in the rectum, mouth, or armpit.
- Digital thermometers by ear : Infrared is used to measure the temperature inside the ear canal. The disadvantage of this type of balance is that the presence of wax and curvature of the ear canal may reduce the accuracy of the temperature measurement.
- Balance of the temporal artery of heat : These scales use the infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the child’s front. This type of balance can be used during a child’s sleep.
- Digital lasers are not recommended as a sucker , Thermometers and thermometers.
Ways to reduce heat
Before trying to reduce the temperature of the child it is necessary to know the causes of the temperature of the body and treatment. There is no need to worry if the child’s activity is normal, but if the temperature rises too much and becomes annoying for the child it is necessary to intervene and work to reduce it. Many parents wonder about the best way to reduce children’s temperature. In fact, there is no particular way, but several ways, including:
- Place compresses wet with cool water on the baby’s brow.
- Take a lukewarm bath or put it in a lukewarm water bath; when water evaporates the body temperature will drop. Do not use cold water, because it causes the blister that will cause the temperature to rise again, and you should avoid rubbing the body with alcohol; because it raises the temperature and may cause poisoning of the child.
- Give the baby plenty of fluids, and fresh foods to help calm the body from the inside out and keep it moist.
- Reduce the baby’s clothing and covers.
- Keep the house temperature low, keep the child indoors, and be careful to be in the shade if outside the house.
- Garlic is used as a preventive method to fight the factors that lead to high body temperature, as garlic is effective in the elimination of bacteria and fungi, and treat fever.
- Use apple cider vinegar to reduce the child’s temperature; a piece of cloth can be mixed with apple vinegar and water and placed on the baby’s wrist and feet.
- The use of famous low-temperature drugs, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and others, are effective in lowering the temperature in conjunction with anti-inflammatory treatment to treat the cause of the rise in temperature.
Signs of high temperature of the child
There are several signs of high temperature of the child, including:
Causes of high temperature
When the symptoms of heat appear on the child, it means that the immune system is resistant to pathogens, but sometimes there are no obvious reasons for explaining the high temperature.
- Colds.
- flu.
- diphtheria.
- Sore throat.
- ear infection.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
- The virus that causes skin rash, such as pink rash, chickenpox, hand, foot and mouth disease.
- Teething.
- High heat after taking the vaccine.
When to see your doctor
Parents should consult a doctor and seek treatment for the child in the following cases:
- If the baby is less than three months old and has a temperature of 38 ° C or more.
- If the baby is between 3-6 months old and the body temperature is 38.9 ° C, the child will show signs of agitation, discomfort, or deep sleep.
- If the baby is 6 months to 2 years old, the temperature continues for several days.
- If the child suffers from headaches, stomach aches and vomiting several times.
- If the child shows signs of inactivity and loss of ability to communicate visually with others.
- If the child has immune problems or has chronic diseases.
- If the child has signs of dehydration, such as frequent thirst, urine changes to darker than normal, and can not drink fluids to compensate for loss.
- If the child has symptoms of shortness of breath.
- If the child suffers from recurrent pain in one area.