The correct way to wipe down a fever will help dissipate heat from the body effectively, reduce fever, and help the patient feel more comfortable. The correct steps for wiping down the body are as follows:
- Choose a room that is not too hot or too cold. Turn off the air conditioner and fan.
- Take off your clothes properly and cover your chest with a cloth.
- Prepare room temperature water or slightly warm water. Never use cold water.
- Use a small towel soaked in water, wring it out, and use it to wipe your body, starting with your face, neck, and behind your ears. Then change the towel and place it on the crook of your neck.
- Wipe the chest and abdomen and leave the cloth on the heart area for a while. Repeat 2-3 times.
- Wipe both hands and have the patient hold the cloth in their hands for a few moments.
- Wipe each arm one at a time, wiping from the end of the arm towards the heart, then rest the cloth on the armpit fold for a while. Repeat 2-3 times.
- Wipe each leg one at a time, wiping from the tip of the leg towards the heart, then rest the cloth on the fold below the knee or groin for a while. Repeat 2-3 times.
- Let the patient lie on their side facing the person wiping. Start wiping from the back, neck, and buttocks. Repeat several times.
- Use a towel to dry yourself and wear comfortable, breathable clothing.
- After wiping the body for about 15-30 minutes, measure the temperature again. If the temperature does not decrease, wipe the body again.
Tricks to help reduce fever with wiping
- While wiping the body, have the patient try to drink plenty of fluids.
- If the patient has chills while wiping the body, stop immediately and do not wipe the body for more than 20 minutes.
- When wiping the patient, move as little as possible because the body will burn more calories, causing the fever to not go down.
- Patients should not be allowed to drink hot water after wiping themselves.
- You should not wipe your body with vigorous rubbing, ufabet http://ufabet999.app especially for small children with sensitive skin.
- Avoid using cold water to wipe your body because the coldness causes blood vessels to constrict and prevents heat from being released through the skin. It may also cause you to feel cold and increase your body temperature.
- After wiping your body, you should not use loose powder on your face, body, arms or legs because loose powder will clog your pores, making it difficult for you to dissipate heat as well as you should.