Fever-reducing patches are widely available at pharmacies, relatively cheap, and easy to use, making them a common choice among parents to reduce fever in children. However, overuse or incorrect application of these patches can be harmful to children's health.
1. What are fever-reducing patches?
Fever-reducing patches are patches used to dissipate heat. Their primary component is hydrogel, a chain-form polymer that is water-insoluble but capable of absorbing a significant amount of water at the applied skin area.
Fever-reducing patches work by absorbing and dispersing heat from the applied skin area to the outside. Thus, when first applied, they give a cooling sensation, helping the child feel more comfortable. However, how long do fever-reducing patches actually work? If parents observe carefully, they will notice that the cooling effect of the patch does not last long. The skin area with the patch will quickly return to its original temperature.
Especially since these patches do not contain fever-reducing medication, they do not lower the body’s overall temperature. Some fever-reducing patches contain essential oils that, when evaporated, help reduce temperature but only provide limited fever-reducing capability as they are for external use only. Currently, there is no reliable scientific research proving that fever-reducing patches can replace medication in treating fever in children. Therefore, parents should not rely solely on patches as a substitute for fever-reducing medications when their child has a fever.
Trắc nghiệm: Sự phát triển tinh thần, vận động của bé thế nào là đúng chuẩn?
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2. Harmful effects when using fever-reducing patches
- Ineffectiveness in reducing fever: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended against using cold compresses for reducing fever in children because they are ineffective. Similarly, fever-reducing patches are essentially cold patches, and their ability to lower body temperature in children is very limited.
- Serious complications from fever: The fever-reducing capability of these patches is very limited. Therefore, if a child has a high fever and parents rely solely on the patch, it will be ineffective. Delaying the use of antipyretic medication and relying on the patch can be very dangerous, increasing the risk of febrile seizures and brain complications.
- Skin irritation: Children's skin is very thin and sensitive, making it prone to allergies. Some children may be allergic to the components in the fever-reducing patch.
- Negative impact on the respiratory system: The respiratory system of children, especially infants, can be severely affected if certain fever-reducing patches containing menthol are used. For children with fever due to pneumonia, using these patches can make the respiratory system work harder, causing damage and making it more difficult for doctors to treat.
3. How to use fever cooling patches?
If a child has a high fever, parents should give the child fever-reducing medication in the correct dosage as advised by a doctor. While waiting for the medication to take effect, parents can use a fever-reducing patch as a temporary measure to reduce the child's temperature. Using the patch is very simple: parents just need to peel off the film and place it directly on the child's forehead. However, parents should take note of the following points:
- Carefully read the instructions on the product packaging regarding usage, duration, and target users;
- Consult with a doctor about using fever-reducing patches for children;
- Purchase patches from reputable manufacturers to avoid counterfeit products;
- Do not apply the patch to vaccination sites or damaged skin areas;
- If the child has a history of allergies or respiratory issues, avoid using the patch to prevent dangerous side effects;
- Always monitor the child during the use of the fever-reducing patch, and discontinue use immediately if any unusual signs appear.
4. What to do when your child has a fever?
- When your child first develops a fever, parents should monitor the child’s body temperature and overall health for about 2-3 days. During this period, parents can use water that is 2°C cooler than the child's body temperature to wipe their body. Additionally, dress the child in loose, good sweat-absorbing clothes and ensure they rest in a well-ventilated area;
- Give the child antipyretic medication containing paracetamol as advised by a doctor (including the type of medication and dosage appropriate for the child’s weight and age). Parents should not give the child multiple fever-reducing medications simultaneously, as this can cause dangerous side effects due to drug interactions;
- Do not use alcohol to cool the child;
- For infants with a fever, ensure they are adequately breastfed. For older children, they need to drink enough water and eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to cool the body and prevent dehydration;
- Sometimes, a fever can be a warning sign of a more serious health issue. If your child shows symptoms such as a fever over 38°C, a fever lasting more than 24 hours (for children under 2 years old) or more than 72 hours (for children over 2 years old), lethargy, disturbed sleep, sore throat, earache, headache, rash, irritability, poor reflexes, seizures, or bluish skin, take them to the hospital immediately for medical examination and care.
In reality, using fever-reducing patches for children is just a temporary solution to help them feel more comfortable. Parents should not use patches as a substitute for fever-reducing medication. If parents still wish to use fever-reducing patches for their children, they should consult a doctor beforehand. Parents should avoid using patches when the child has allergies or a fever due to pneumonia and should not overuse them for extended periods. If the child’s fever does not decrease after using the patch, they should be taken to see a doctor immediately. If the child's fever has an unknown cause or the condition does not improve with home treatment, parents should promptly take the child to see a doctor.
As a key area of Vinmec Health System, the Pediatrics Department is well-invested in terms of personnel, technology, and equipment, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- A team of leading pediatric experts: Professors, associate professors, doctors, and experienced masters who have worked at major hospitals nationwide. They are well-trained both domestically and internationally and understand children's psychology. Comprehensive services: Vinmec offers a range of continuous healthcare services, from Neonatology to Pediatrics and Vaccination, adhering to international standards to care for your child from birth to adulthood.
- Advanced techniques: Vinmec has successfully implemented many advanced techniques to effectively treat complex pediatric diseases, such as neurosurgery and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in cancer treatment.
- Professional care: Understanding children's psychology, Vinmec creates play spaces for children, helping them feel comfortable and familiar with the hospital environment, thereby cooperating better during treatment and improving healthcare outcomes.
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