How do you use ice gel packs to reduce fever in adults and children?

Fever is a rise in body temperature to a higher than normal level. It is not an illness as such, but a sign caused by an infection or other pre-existing condition.

That is why it is important to be very clear about the symptoms associated with fever, as well as possible measures that can be taken to treat it. Today we'll talk to you about hot and cold gel packs to reduce fever in adults and children. Let's go!

What are the most common symptoms of fever?

What are the most common symptoms of fever?

The main symptom of a fever is a higher than usual rise in body temperature. Normally the body stays at about 98.6°F (37°C). Thus, the following thermometer readings are usually indicative of a fever:

  • 100.4 °F (38 °C) or more in the rectum, ear, or temporal artery
  • 100 °F (37.8 °C) or more in the mouth.
  • 99 °F (37.2 °C) or more at the armpit.

This heating is managed by an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. This is the body's biological thermostat, that is, it regulates the body's temperature through various mechanisms that allow the production and loss of heat. It does this by comparing the temperature throughout the body with the reference value of 98.6°F (37°C). During a fever, the hypothalamus sets a higher reference temperature, so the body begins to warm up.

Fever usually occurs in response to infection (by viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms) or disease (inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, among others). It can also be caused by the presence of a tumour or by the administration of certain drugs (antibiotics, anticonvulsants and others) or vaccines (such as those given for diphtheria and tetanus). However, sometimes it is not possible to detect the reason why it occurs.

In addition to rising body temperature, other symptoms of fever are:

  • Chills: When the feverish process starts and the hypothalamic adjustment occurs, the body is still at normal temperature. This produces a sensation of cold accompanied by tremors (shivering). In turn, these tremors and the coat that the patient can provide for himself raise the temperature.
  • Sweating: This occurs when the hypothalamic thermostat drops the thermal reference value. At this point the patient feels hot and sweats so that the body cools down.
  • Dehydration: Some indicators that the patient is dehydrated are: infrequent, dark-coloured urine, crying without tears and dry mouth.
  • Irritated eyes: This refers to the burning sensation in the eyes that is typical of fever.
  • Irritability: Patients with a fever tend to become more irritated or angry than normal.
  • Pain: Especially in the head, although muscle pain may also occur.
  • General malaise: Loss of appetite and general weakness.

Some babies and children with fever may also be more irritable than normal, with redness of the skin, difficulty swallowing, paleness, and refusal of food, drink, or breast milk.

In severe cases, fever can occur:

  • Colossal sleepiness: You will have abnormal sleepiness while you have a fever.
  • Febrile seizures: Caused by a sudden rise in body temperature, especially in children between 6 months and 6 years of age. These are non-epileptic seizures that cause loss of consciousness and tremors in the infant's limbs. However, they usually do not cause lasting effects.
  • Confusion or delirium: Affects reasoning, thinking, and memory, with sudden changes in consciousness during fever.
  • Severe pain in the head or other parts of the body: This pain can be throbbing, pounding, or pulsating, causing other symptoms such as sensitivity to light, noise, changes in vision, or nausea.
  • Irregular vaginal discharge and painful urination: Vaginal discharge may change in colour, odour and consistency, increasing or decreasing in amount.
  • Skin rash: The skin may become red or scaly, and blisters or scabs may appear. Especially after an episode of high fever.
  • Vomiting and diarrhea: Symptoms that together or separately could cause dehydration and need to be watched very closely.

Bestseller

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Protect Democracy
– 28/10/2024
This is pretty much the same thing as a child's "boo-boo pack" but eye-mask shaped. It stays cold for about 10 minutes.
Captain & Miss America
– 27/10/2024
This micro bead cooling eye mask comes in tangerine and pink (like a grapefruit). It does not taste like grapefruit, so DO NOT EAT! After placing in the refrigerator for four hours it’s ready to wear. It has a soft material side that rests against your eyes. There is an adjustable Velcro headband to hold it in place. It feels very nice when applied to tired, puffy eyes.
ICTV
– 25/10/2024
The adjustable strap hold the mask in place well enough, since my activities are naturally limited while using this. To prepare the mask for cold use, the instructions say refrigerator (not freezer). When pollen surges, my normal go-tos for relief sometimes needs the added cooling effects in the eye area, as the urge to rub grows. To sit with the relative darkness of the cool mask is soothing for the sinus as well. (I'll likely not have a lot of use for this mask for heating.)
A.H.
– 23/10/2024
It is a pleasant and comfortable mask to use. The mask is made of gel beads that don't freeze but do get cold. One side of the mask is covered in fabric that gets cold and you can place on your face without burning your eyes. It helps my eyes with inflamation so I recomend you use it.
RovingHogan
– 20/10/2024
It feels so good to take a break and have something cool and soothing on your eyes. This is a very easy to use eye mask that ready to use. The lavender has a very pleasant smell and is very mild. The eye mask once opened last about 25 minutes and is a single use. The eye mask is not too tight and is very comfortable. I'm not sure if really helps with puffiness, but it feels very nice when in use.
Mrs. ChaCha
– 16/10/2024
This eye mask can be used warm or cold, I prefer the cold. Feels good when you have a headache or puffy eyes.
Brain
– 16/10/2024
I like this mask way more than I expected. At only around 11 dollars I didn't expect much but, I was pleasantly surprised. The mask contains little beads of sort that doesn't freeze so it's quite comfortable. I've only tried it cold so far (the bag it comes with was a nice included accessory to keep it safe from food bits) and it did a good job. It doesn't stay cold for a super long time so I'd recommend getting 2 so you can have one ready after the first warms up.
Steph
– 13/10/2024
This eye mask really helps reduce eye puff. Especially if you have swollen eyes after a crying spell, spending 10 minutes with us on your eyes will really help reduce the bloat. This orbees-style mask shouldn’t be thrown into the freezer, just keep it in the fridge for a chilled effect.
Honest Nana
– 12/10/2024
This goes in the refrigerator and not the freezer which allows the beads inside to stay flexible making it very comfortable and not too cold to put on your face. I really like that it comes in a ziplock bag reminding you that it does NOT go in the freezer. I can see someone in my household being helpful and putting it in the freezer so the ziplock is very helpful. I have not tried it warm but I have enjoyed the cooling effect.
Rachel
– 11/10/2024
The mask is just as described. They can be cooled in the refrigerator or warmed up. I like the cooling option.

What are the advantages of applying cold to reduce fever in adults and children?

What are the advantages of applying cold to reduce fever in adults and children?

If you are wondering what the advantages are of applying cold to reduce fever, you should know that cryotherapy is contraindicated in patients with a feverish condition. It is not recommended in case of fever:

  • Apply ice or cold packs.
  • Administer or take cold baths.

Why? It happens that cryotherapy applied to a patient with a fever can cause chills. The latter cause an increase in temperature, rather than a decrease in temperature. Therefore, applying cold is not an option for reducing fever.

Now, is there a way to use hot and cold gel packs in the treatment of fever? Yes, and in the next segment we will give you all the details.

How to use cold gel packs to lower the temperature due to fever?

Hot and cold gel packs are compresses that can reach a very wide range of temperatures, cold, cool and hot. In case of fever, medical specialists recommend to use them in cool temperature (neither very cold nor hot) to decrease the high body temperature corresponding to a feverish picture. In our product catalogue we offer you the cold gel mask, ideal for treating the forehead area while cooling other areas of the body.

Now, you only have to follow these steps to lower the patient's body temperature using gel compresses for cold and heat:

  • Immerse the gel pack in fresh water for a few minutes (neither cold nor hot) to cool it down.
  • Remove the pack from the water and check the temperature. Immerse it again if you feel it is necessary.
  • Place the compress (without drying it) on the areas where the body loses heat (head, armpits, groin and feet). Note that some of our gel packs have a compression strap for a comfortable fit.
  • Remove the gel pcks or fresh water compress when it loses its coolness, becoming warmer than cool.
  • Repeat the procedure several times until you are sure that the temperature has dropped. In this case, there is no specific time protocol, as you must do this until the fever subsides.

However, you should also combine the use of fresh gel pads with other fever-reducing measures. Some of them are:

  • Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Use fresh, lightweight clothing.
  • The use of blankets is only indicated in cases of chills, otherwise it is recommended to expose the body to fresh air.
  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen according to the instructions given by the treating physician. Be very careful to respect the indications, especially if it is a child.
  • See your doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause of the fever, as fever will always be a symptom or warning of another pre-existing pathology.
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