Warning over ‘dangerous’ method most use to reduce a child’s fever after mum’s ‘mistake’ almost cost her son’s life

WHEN your child has a fever, reaching for a cold flannel might seem like an obvious fix.

However, doctors generally advise against it, as it can sometimes make the fever worse or trigger fatal complications.

The warning comes after Dr Christabel Akinola shared a tale on Instagram about a mum who sponged her child with cold water from the fridge when she noticed he was burning up.

The parent tried to cool down his chest, back, neck and head, the doctor explained in a social media post.

The boy then shivered violently and stopped moving – he was then rushed to hospital.

“Do you know that you should not use cold water for tepid sponging during a fever?” Dr Akinola, said.

She said the sudden temperature contrast “can trigger a seizure or even collapse the cardiovascular system”.

This is because applying something cold to the skin causes the blood vessels near the surface to constrict, in a process called vasoconstriction, Professor Franklin Joseph, consultant physician and head of Dr Frank’s Clinic, explained.

"This can paradoxically make the core body temperature even higher, worsening the fever," he told Sun Health.

This level of stress on the body can also impact the heart.

The Prof told Sun Health: “In extreme cases, especially if a large part of the body is suddenly cooled, this can put immense strain on the cardiovascular system.

"The body’s response to sudden cold exposure is to preserve heat around vital organs like the brain, heart, and lungs."

Cooling the skin too quickly also pulls blood away from the heart, he said.

"This can cause dangerous instability, including shock, hypothermia, and even cardiovascular collapse," he added.

Rapid cooling can also “confuse the body’s thermal regulation system,” the professor warned.

"This can lead to a cascade of problems — including reduced blood supply to critical organs - which can, in extreme cases, be fatal.”

Young children are particularly vulnerable, he explained, as “their bodies are less able to regulate sudden changes in temperature".

Instead of using a flannel, the best thing you can do for a child suffering from a fever is to keep them cool, not cold.

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"Dress them in light clothing," Prof Franklin said.

"Keep the room at a moderate temperature, and ensure they’re well hydrated," he added.

"You can also give age-appropriate doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen to help bring the fever down."

That said, it is sometimes important to let a fever run its course.

“Fever is a natural and important part of the body’s immune response," Prof Franklin said.

"When the body detects an infection, it raises its internal temperature because many bacteria and viruses cannot survive at higher temperatures," he added.

"In other words, the fever is a defence mechanism, helping the body fight off infection more effectively.

“Automatically suppressing every fever can sometimes prolong illness by interfering with this natural response."

According to the NHS, parents should seek medical attention if their child is under three months old with a temperature over 38°C - or if the fever lasts more than five days.

"Other red flags include difficulty breathing, a rash that doesn’t fade under pressure, seizures, unusual drowsiness, persistent vomiting," Prof Franklin said.

"Also look out for signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth and no wet nappies.

"If in doubt, trust your instincts and speak to a doctor.”