“Don’t take a bath when you have a fever! It will only make you feel even sicker later” These are words that should be very familiar to Moms when their little one falls ill. A lot of Moms have doubts regarding whether or not their little one is allowed to take a bath when they have a fever. Of course, this is based on a feeling out of fear that your little one's body temperature will rise if they take such action. However, is that truly the case?
Moms who are still mistaken must think fever is a disease. In fact, fever is the result of inflammation that occurs in the body. This situation is caused by the child's immune system which is facing an attack of infection in the body. As a result, the body temperature rises and gives a signal that there is an infection in the body part. It is said that you have a fever if your body temperature reaches 38-39 degrees Celsius. As for children, if the body temperature reaches 37 degrees Celsius, then your little one is certain to have a fever.
Truth is, there is no link between fever and bathing. On the other hand, it is important for Moms to always clean their little one's body when they have a fever so that no disease or other bacteria can stick. There is no doubt that bathing when sick is an uncomfortable thing to do. However, keeping the body clean especially when your little one is sick is an obligation.
Even though bathing when your little one has a fever is not prohibited, keep in mind that it cannot be done carelessly, Moms. Due to an increase in body temperature, it would be better if your little one takes a bath using warm water. Conversely, if you use cold water, your little one's body will later perceive it as something that interferes with the process of fighting infection. As a result, the body will try harder to raise the body temperature so that the fever will get worse. In addition, bathing using cold water can also close the pores and trigger the body to shiver.
Based on Halodoc.com, there was a study in India that stated that children who bathed in warm water and were given fever-reducing drugs would experience a faster decrease in body temperature when compared to children who were only given fever-reducing drugs. If your little one is also experiencing flu symptoms, then bathing with warm water can help loosen and expel mucus that is trapped in the airways. Not only that, bathing with warm water can also help reduce aches and pains in your little one's body.
Bathing activities can also still be done not only during a fever, but also when your little one has skin problems such as rashes, chickenpox, or measles, Moms. Just like a fever, bathing will not make your little one's skin worse. Precisely by bathing, the itchiness experienced by your little one can be reduced.
Before bathing your little one, Moms should also be aware of what to consider. Ensure the water temperature is appropriate, not too hot or too cold. When bathing a child with a fever, the recommended water temperature is between 37-38 degrees Celsius. If you don’t have a thermometer at home, a simple way to check the water temperature is by using the back of your hand. Also, remember not to let your child bathe for more than 15 minutes.
It's equally important to continue using soap, Moms! It’s even better if you use antibacterial soap. The Red Shiso content in Zen Antibacterial Soap has been clinically proven effective in fighting germs and bacteria anytime, anywhere. Not only that, Zen Antibacterial Soap is gentle and won’t dry out the skin. So, Moms don’t need to worry about your child’s skin becoming dry! Now, you understand that bathing won’t worsen your child’s condition when they’re sick. However, remember the correct steps to bathe your little one to help them recover quickly!
