How to Correctly Use Alcohol Rubs for Fever Reduction?

Update Date: 2024-10-04 Source: Network

Fever is a relatively common issue in daily life, as there are numerous causes for it, and the degree of fever varies, leading to diverse methods of reducing fever. In the absence of fever-reducing medication, using alcohol as an alternative is also a consideration. Alcohol wiping can be an effective way to reduce fever, but it is crucial to follow the correct method. So, what is the proper way to use alcohol wiping to reduce fever?

1. Concentration

Medical alcohol has an ethanol concentration of 75%. When using it to cool down the body during a high fever, it needs to be diluted to 25%-50%, roughly equivalent to mixing one part of medical alcohol with an equal amount of water. An overly concentrated alcohol solution can irritate the skin and absorb a significant amount of moisture from the epidermis.

2. Temperature

When mixing the alcohol with water, the water temperature should be slightly higher than body temperature, with the principle of not feeling hot when testing the water with the inside of the wrist. This ensures that the mixed alcohol has a temperature close to body temperature, avoiding discomfort from being too cold and preventing excessive evaporation due to high water temperature.

3. Gauze

When wiping, it is best to use a small piece of pure cotton gauze or handkerchief, which has good water absorption and moderate friction. Dip the gauze in alcohol, wring it to semi-dry, and then use it to wipe the body. If gauze is unavailable, a small towel can be used instead. To avoid waste, it is best not to fully saturate the towel but only dip one corner in alcohol.

4. Areas

Wipe areas with abundant blood vessels from top to bottom. Start from both sides of the neck to the arms, then from both sides of the armpits to the palms, followed by wiping down the back from the back of the neck. Next, wipe the lower limbs, from the hips through the outer legs to the tops of the feet, from the inner thighs to the soles, and from the back of the thighs through the knee pits to the heels. Wipe each area of the upper and lower limbs and the back for 3-5 minutes. Pay special attention to wiping large blood vessels such as the armpits, elbows, groin, and behind the knees to enhance heat dissipation. The chest, abdomen, and other areas sensitive to cold stimulation should not be wiped.

5. Other Considerations

It is important to note that alcohol wiping is only suitable for patients with high fever who are not shivering and not sweating. When sweating is unimpeded, it indicates that the body temperature has already started to drop, and this method is not suitable. Alcohol is irritating and is best avoided for children under 2 years old. Additionally, alcohol with a concentration of 40%-50% can also prevent bedsores. For patients who are bedridden for extended periods, their backs, waists, and buttocks are prone to bedsores due to prolonged pressure. During massage, a small amount of 40%-50% alcohol can be poured into the hands and evenly massaged into the pressure points to promote local blood circulation and prevent the formation of bedsores.