"You give me fever..."

"Fever all through the night,  FEVER!".  Oh dear! The secrets out.  I love jazz!  Fever isn't as much fun as a song when you're experiencing it or watching a wee one go through it.  It's important to note that fever is a natural part of the healing.  When we lower it by using Panadol or Ibuprofen we are dulling the bodies own healing process.  The fever is designed, by our very clever bodies, to kill the viral or bacterial pathogen. 
​Of course there are times when the fever makes us miserable and we really want something to manage that.  Instead of reaching for something that dulls the immune system's ability to deal with illness have a look at Homeopathy to help manage the symptoms. You'll not only allow the body to get on with healing but support it to do so.

​There's lots of choice for the home prescriber!  Here's the main ones you need to have in your kit. 
(Please note the following remedies are traditionally used in Homeopathy to support and help reduce a fever that appears with the following set of symptoms)

Aconite- Fevers that come on suddenly.  The child may have an earache.  These fevers are often preceded by cold, windy days. Fever here is dry with a red face. Thirst and restlessness are present.

Belladonna- High temps with red faces.  The eyes are glassy, face red and the heat dry.  They are  typically thirstless.  Any headache will be throbbing.  They may be very irritable too!

Chamomilla- Typically a great teething remedy but can be used for general fever as well.  These folk are cranky too but specifically will reject everything offered even if they have requested it ie they can't be made happy!  You may see only one cheek is red as well.  If it's a smaller child you may find they settle easily in the car and insist on being carried all day.

Ferrum phos- Milder fevers that indicate the early stages of infection. The cheeks may be flushed but the face won't be red. The temperament is also milder and they won't be restless like Aconite or have the higher fever and crankiness of Belladonna.

Gelsemium- Dull, droopy, drowsy are the key words here!  This is a super flu remedy. The eyes will look droopy and be difficult to open, the body may ache and there will most probably be a headache.  The fever may present with shivering chills.

​Pulsatilla- I can't leave out such a lovely remedy for kids!  If the child (or adult) is in need of company and consolation then look to Pulsatilla.  They may be a little teary and children will be invariably clingy and want someone (usually mum) with them patting their head or cuddling them up.  Generally they aren't thirsty and will want fresh air.

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Other things you can try for comfort and nurturing are luke warm baths (not cold), cool face washer on heads, cool drinks and of course plenty of rest!  Lavender foot baths are also a lovely thing to do for fever (or any time).  Try not to use a scent stronger than this if you are taking Homeopathics. I'm thinking specifically of tea tree and Eucalyptus.

Have a look at the ​Royal Children's Hospital for some general guidelines for fever but basically if the child is under 3 months old with a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius take them to see a doctor.  If a child complaining of a stiff neck or light hurting their eyes, vomiting and refusing to drink much, a rash, more sleepy than usual, problems with breathing or if your child is in pain considering taking them to a doctor.

Disclaimer: Homeopathy is a traditional medicine.The TGA considers Homeopathy a low risk medicine. It may be used in conjunction with other medicines. For any ongoing chronic condition, it is important to be assessed or examined by your healthcare professional or specialist. Information given here is in no way intended to take the place of advice from your chosen healthcare professional or specialist. Any examples given from the authors life do not indicate that the remedy in question will work for everyone in every instance. They are used solely to illustrate the use the medicine in a practical situation.
Always seek medical advice in emergencies.
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Love and laughter til next week!
​Sarah