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Tepid sponge baths, which were once commonly used to help manage fevers in children, are now questioned due to new research. Studies show that these baths might not help reduce fevers as much as we used to think, and they can sometimes make children feel worse.
Are Tepid Sponge Baths Effective?
Research suggests that tepid sponge baths may not be as helpful as medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. While they may cool a child’s body quicker in the first hour, after two hours there is no big difference in temperature compared to children who did not receive the bath. Also, many children who receive tepid sponge baths feel uncomfortable and show signs like crying, shivering, or goosebumps. This discomfort may add unnecessary stress to a child who is already sick.
ref: pubmed article
What Do Medical Experts Say?
Today, experts like those from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK do not recommend tepid sponge baths for children with fevers. Many studies have found little proof that these baths help reduce fevers effectively. Medical advice has shifted to focus on safer, more effective ways to manage fever, such as using medication.
ref: NICE guidance
What Works Better Than Tepid Sponge Baths?
Studies show that medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) are much better at lowering fevers than tepid sponge baths. One study found that medicine was far more effective at reducing fever within two hours. Experts recommend using medicine first and only considering a tepid sponge bath if the fever is very high and the medicine alone doesn’t seem to help.
ref: jamanetwork article
Other Ways to Manage a Fever
Even though tepid sponge baths are no longer a primary method for fever management, other simple things can help. Keep the child’s room cool and well-ventilated. For high fevers over 40°C (104°F), it’s important to contact a doctor and give proper doses of fever medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If the child is still uncomfortable after the medicine, you can try a lukewarm (not cold) sponge bath. However, if the child seems upset or there’s no improvement, it’s best to stop.
ref: acta-ape article