When you have a fever, your body temperature rises as part of your immune system’s response. This can cause discomfort, and a shower is often used as a way to cool down. But what temperature should you take a shower for a fever? Hot or cold?
Hot Showers for Fever
In the past, it was thought that taking a hot shower could help to reduce fever. However, research has shown that this is not the case. In fact, taking a hot shower can actually make fever worse.
When you take a hot shower, your body temperature rises even higher. This is because your body works harder to cool itself down when it is exposed to heat. As a result, you end up feeling even hotter and more uncomfortable.
Cold Showers for Fever
Taking a cold shower can help to reduce fever because it helps to cool down your body. When you take a cold shower, your blood vessels constrict, which helps to reduce blood flow to the skin. This, in turn, helps to lower your body temperature.
Cold showers can also be helpful in relieving other symptoms of fever, such as headache, body aches, and nausea.
Which Temperature Shower is Right?
The best temperature shower for fever is a lukewarm shower, around 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is cool enough to help lower your body temperature, but not so cold that it causes discomfort.
How Long Should I Take a Shower for Fever?
The length of time you should take a shower for fever depends on the severity of your fever. If your fever is mild, you can take a shower for 5-10 minutes. If your fever is high, you can take a shower for 15-20 minutes.
Other Tips for Reducing Fever
In addition to taking a lukewarm shower, there are other things you can do to help reduce fever, including:
- Drinking plenty of fluids: Staying hydrated is important for preventing dehydration, which can make fever worse.
- Using a cool compress: Applying a cool compress to your forehead, neck, or armpits can help to lower your body temperature.
- Taking over-the-counter fever reducers: Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are common over-the-counter fever reducers that can help to lower body temperature.
- Getting plenty of rest: Rest is important for allowing your body to recover from fever.
Benefits of Hot Showers and Cold Showers
Benefits of hot showers:
- Can help to relax muscles and relieve tension: Heat can help to loosen up tight muscles and relieve pain.
- Can help to improve circulation: Hot showers can help to increase blood flow to the skin, which can improve circulation.
- Can help to open up the sinuses: Steam from a hot shower can help to open up the sinuses and relieve congestion.
Benefits of cold showers:
- Can help to wake you up: Cold showers can help to increase alertness and energy levels.
- Can help to improve mood: Cold showers can help to release endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
- Can help to reduce inflammation: Cold showers can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which can be helpful for conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Pros and Cons of Hot Showers and Cold Showers
Pros of hot showers:
- Can help to relax muscles and relieve tension
- Can help to improve circulation
- Can help to open up the sinuses
Cons of hot showers:
- Can make fever worse
- Can cause dehydration
- Can be uncomfortable for some people
Pros of cold showers:
- Can help to wake you up
- Can help to improve mood
- Can help to reduce inflammation
Cons of cold showers:
- Can be uncomfortable for some people
- Can cause hypothermia if taken for too long
Conclusion
The best temperature shower for fever is a lukewarm shower around 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot showers can make fever worse, while cold showers can help to reduce fever. It is important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest when you have a fever.
