How to Reduce a Fever Without Medication

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If you or your child is running a fever, you naturally want to reduce it as quickly as possible. A fever does serve a purpose, however, since it’s a sign the body is trying to fight an illness or infection. [1] You do want to control the fever so you or your child can be comfortable while the immune system does its job. Fortunately, the following home remedies can help.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Cooling Down

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  1. Start by drawing room-temperature water that feels slightly cool to you. [2] Have the person suffering from the fever get in the tub and relax while the temperature of the water slowly drops. Because the temperature of the water drops slowly, the person slowly cools down as well.
    • You want to avoid cold baths and showers because the skin will constrict its blood vessels and trap body heat. The cold may also cause shivering, which generates more heat. [3]
  2. Some believe this overnight method can alleviate symptoms of a cold, flu, sinus or ear infection, or upper respiratory congestion. Take a pair of pure cotton socks, long enough to cover the ankles, and thoroughly wet the socks in cold running water. Wring out the excess water and put them on. Cover the cotton socks with pure wool socks to provide insulation. The person wearing the socks should bundle up and go to bed for the rest of the night. [4]
    • Most kids will be cooperative since they should start to feel cooler within a few minutes.
    • This treatment is a traditional naturopathic approach. The theory is that the cold feet stimulate circulation and an increased response from the immune system. The result is that the body expends heat, dries up the socks, and cools the body.
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  3. Take one or two hand towels and fold them lengthwise. Soak the towels in either very cold or ice water. Wring out the excess water and place the towel on the forehead or the back of the neck. [5] Don’t do this if it makes the person with the fever uncomfortable. [6]
    • The cool towel draws heat out of the body, which can lower body temperature. Repeat when the towel is dry or not cool enough to provide relief. This can be repeated as often as needed.
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Part 2
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Adjusting Diet to Reduce Fever

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  1. This includes citrus fruit, strawberries, leafy greens, broccoli, and potatoes. [7] Some limited research shows that vitamin C may reduce the duration of a virus, such as the common cold. [8]
    • Avoid greasy, fatty, or spicy foods, which can cause GI discomfort and inflammation. [9]
  2. While you can have chicken broth on its own, you could also eat chicken soup with rice and vegetables. Studies show the steam from chicken soup may open up congested noses and throats. [10] Soup also provides fluid, helping to thin mucus and prevent dehydration.
    • Adding chicken to soup increases your protein and iron, which can help boost your immune system. [11]
  3. Fever can lead to dehydration, making it harder for the body to fight off an illness. Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water, herbal tea, or an oral rehydration solution, like Pedialyte. [12]
    • If you are breastfeeding your baby, you can and should still do so, even if you feel sick or have the flu. [13]
    • Kids can enjoy frozen popsicles or Jell-O to stay hydrated. [14] Just try to avoid ones with a lot of sugar. Look for all-natural fruit popsicles, frozen Italian ices, frozen yogurt, or sherbet. Just don't forget to keep drinking water too!
  4. You can either buy these teas or make them yourself. Simply add one tablespoon of dried herbs for every cup of water. Steep the herbs in boiling water for at least 20 minutes. [15] For small children, reduce the herbs to ½ a teaspoon and make sure the tea has cooled down! Don’t give tea to infants, except with the advice of a physician. Try an herbal tea made from the following herbs: [16]
    • Peppermint
    • Echinacea
    • Hibiscus
    • Elderberry
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Recognizing When to Get Medical Attention

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  1. Body temperature can vary throughout the day, but a normal temperature for adults and older children is between 97.6°F (36.4°C) to 99.6°F (37.6°C). [17] The average rectal temperature for infants up to 12 months old is 98.6°F (37°C). If they have a rectal temperature of 104°F (40°C) or more, immediately call your physician for advice. [18] Any person 6 months or older with a fever of 102°F (38.9°C) should visit their doctor. [19] If your child has any fever, along with any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care as soon as possible: [20]
    • Non-stop crying
    • A bulging or sunken in soft spot (in infants)
    • Extreme irritability or fussiness
    • Sluggishness or trouble waking up
    • A rash or purple bruise-like spots that didn’t exist before the sickness
    • Blue lips, tongue or nails
    • A stiff neck
    • Severe headache
    • Limpness
    • Trouble breathing
    • Seizures
    • Moderate to severe belly pain
  2. Call your physician for advice, even if you are just seeing mild signs of dehydration, especially in babies. This can turn into serious dehydration quickly. Symptoms of dehydration include: [21]
    • Infants and young children:
      • Urinating less than usual or no wet diapers for three hours.
      • Dry mouth.
      • No tears when crying.
      • Rapid heart rate.
      • Sunken eyes, cheeks or soft spot on top of the skull.
      • Lacking energy or being cranky.
      • Skin that doesn't flatten back right away after being pinched.
    • Adults:
      • Extreme thirst.
      • Urinating less.
      • Dark-colored urine.
      • Tiredness.
      • Dizziness.
      • Being confused.
      • Skin that doesn't flatten back right away after being pinched.
      • Sunken eyes or cheeks.
  3. If you or a loved one has any of the following symptoms, call your family healthcare provider right away. Severe dehydration symptoms include: [22]
    • Diarrhea for 24 hours or more.
    • Crankiness or confusion.
    • Sleepiness or less activity than usual.
    • Can’t keep down fluids.
    • Bloody or black stool.
    • A fever of 102 degrees or higher.
  4. A febrile seizure is a convulsion that can happen in children with a fever. They are scary, but most are usually over quickly and do not cause any brain damage or major harm. Febrile seizures usually happen in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. [23] In rare cases, they can recur in children over the age of 5. [24] If your child has a febrile seizure: [25]
    • Make sure there aren’t any sharp edges, steps, or objects nearby that could hurt the child.
    • Do not hold or try to restrain the baby.
    • Place the child or baby on their side to prevent choking.
    • If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, call emergency services (especially if your child has troubling breathing or turns blue, isn’t responding normally, or the seizure involves only some parts of the body instead of the whole body).
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the best way to reduce a fever during the day?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Try using cool compresses over your ankles, wrists and forehead. Take a clean washcloth and soak it in cool or lukewarm water. Wring out all the extra water and wrap it around your wrists, your ankles or place it on your forehead. Replaces the cool compress when it warms up.
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  • Question
    How can you decrease your body temperature?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    One of the best ways to reduce a fever is by taking a lukewarm bath.  The water shouldn't be too cool or too hot, but a degree below your normal body temperature.  Lukewarm showers can help as well.
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  • Question
    Do herbal teas help treat coughs? Which herbs should I try?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Yes, herbal teas are often used for coughs. You can add a bit of honey and lemon to any herbal tea — the honey and lemon can help as well. The herbs to try first include hyssop, thyme, licorice, echinacea, mullein and lungwort.
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      Tips

      • Rectal temperatures tend to be higher than oral temperatures by 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C). [26]
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      • Rectal temperatures are considered the most accurate measurement of body temperature, but they sometimes differ significantly from oral temperatures or those taken by a forehead scanner or ear temperatures. [27]
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      • A forehead measuring device (scanner) is usually 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature, and 1°F (0.6°C) to 2°F (1.2°C) lower than a rectal temperature. [28]
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Pedialyte is an excellent source of electrolytes. Gatorade can be used in a pinch, but is full of sugar and dyes, so it's not the greatest.
      • If you're feeling sick and can't bring your fever down, spend time with your pets to relieve your stress. They'll make you feel better.
      • If your child is running a fever, put a BeKoool gel sheet on their forehead. It should cool your child down.
      • Avoid all alcoholic drinks if you're running a fever.
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      Warnings

      • If you have a thyroid disorder known as thyroid storm (a very high level of thyroid hormones), this is an emergency, and you should call emergency services. [33] The approaches listed here will NOT treat your problem.
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      • If you have a fever, avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol. They can elevate your body temperature, increase sweating, and lead to dehydration. [34]
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      • Never give infants and children aspirin unless directed by a physician. Avoid giving anyone under the age of 19 aspirin. [35]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/breaking-a-fever
      3. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fever#self-treatment-suggestions-for-fever
      4. ↑ https://ismhealth.org/2023/07/what-exactly-is-the-wet-sock-treatment/
      5. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/breaking-a-fever
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/reduce-fever-naturally
      7. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/feed-a-cold-starve-a-fever
      8. ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-does-vitamin-c-help-us-when-were-sick/
      9. ↑ https://www.saintalphonsus.org/blog/blogs/health-care-101/to-feed-or-not-to-feed-the-flu
      1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002067.htm
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/feed-a-cold-starve-a-fever
      3. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/breaking-a-fever
      4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/infant-feeding-emergencies-toolkit/php/faqs.html
      5. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/reduce-fever-naturally
      6. ↑ https://thebotanicalbus.org/herbal-tea-for-fever/
      7. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/teas-for-health
      8. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/body-temperature-what-is-and-isnt-normal
      9. ↑ https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/symptoms/fever-0-12-months
      10. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fever#self-treatment-suggestions-for-fever
      11. ↑ https://health.choc.org/guide/fevers/
      12. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/basics/symptoms/con-20030056
      13. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086#symptoms
      14. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/febrile-seizure/symptoms-causes/syc-20372522
      15. ↑ https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/febrile-seizures/
      16. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/febrile-seizures-sheet.html
      17. ↑ https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/temperature-measurement
      18. ↑ https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/11600/Is-a-temperature-ever-normal?autologincheck=redirected
      19. ↑ https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/temperature-measurement
      20. ↑ https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/temperature-measurement
      21. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html
      22. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/body-temperature-what-is-and-isnt-normal
      23. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/reduce-fever-naturally
      24. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23203-thyroid-storm
      25. ↑ https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-flu
      26. ↑ https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=reye-syndrome-in-children-90-P02620

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To safely reduce a fever without medication, soak in a lukewarm bath to help lower your body temperature. Lower your temperature even further by applying towels soaked in cold water to your head. In addition to lowering your body temperature, snack on fresh fruit to keep yourself hydrated, and eat a light, tasty soup like chicken noodle to give yourself some protein and carbohydrates. Avoid fatty or oily foods and don’t eat too much so your body can focus on fighting the sickness rather than digesting a meal. Be sure to drink lots of water to stay hydrated and try herbal tea to reduce fever. Watch for signs of dehydration like dizziness, decreased or dark urine, and dry skin. Call your doctor if your fever persists or gets worse. For more advice on when to call your doctor from our Medical co-author, keep reading!

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