Calf wraps in children: what to consider?

When children have a fever, calf wraps are a proven home remedy for many parents. What you should consider

Calf wraps are a proven home remedy

Fever occurs with many teething problems and other infections. Then you should first clarify by visiting a doctor whether there is a serious illness behind the fever that requires medical treatment. In many cases, home remedies to support the treatment are also suitable in consultation with the attending doctor. For example, calf wraps can lower the fever.

Important: No calf wraps on cold hands and feet

Children usually speak of fever from 38 degrees and high fever from 39 degrees. The increased body temperature has an important function: It increases metabolic activity and helps the body to fight pathogens. In most cases, it is not necessary to take antipyretic measures. If the hands or feet are cold, this indicates a centralization of the circulation. This means that the arms and legs are less supplied with blood in favor of the blood supply to the internal organs. Then you should definitely not use calf wraps.

With a high fever, calf wraps can improve well-being

If the child has a high fever, is increasingly exhausted, or is restless, it may be appropriate to lower the fever somewhat. In addition to antipyretic medications, calf wraps can also help. You should discuss both measures with the pediatrician. Calf wraps can lower your body temperature by half a degree and relieve drowsiness, agitation, or headache. Depending on how well the child participates, calf wraps are possible from six months or only around one year. Children under the age of six months should not receive calf wraps.

How to put on calf wraps

Calf wraps must fit tightly, otherwise they will feel uncomfortable and may not be fully effective. It is best to use three wipes for the wraps:

The inner cloth comes directly on the skin. Use a cotton or linen cloth, for example a dish towel or a cloth diaper. Old knee socks (no synthetic fibers!) Are also suitable, where you simply cut off the foot section.
Dip the cloth in lukewarm water, wring it out and put it around the lower leg.
On top of that comes a dry cotton wipe. It absorbs excess liquid and protects the outside cloth. The intermediate cloth must be a bit larger than the inner cloth.
Third, put a dry wool or terry cloth under.

The water should be lukewarm

Please do not use cold, but lukewarm water. The temperature of the wrap may not be more than one to two degrees below the measured body temperature. Too cold water would constrict the skin vessels, making it difficult for the body to give off heat.

How often the wrap changes?

If the fever is high, the first wrap is almost warm, when the second leg is wrapped, it must be replaced quickly.
The second wrap is changed after about ten minutes.
The third wrap stays a maximum of half an hour.

Stay with your child while the wraps are in place and watch the little patient closely – if he starts to freeze, remove the wraps immediately. In children in the first year of life, calf wraps are often hardly applicable, here you can wash your body with lukewarm water.

What cold calf wraps do

The cold water in the wraps cools the lower legs. This leads to direct heat loss. The cold stimulus also activates the autonomic nervous system. First the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, that is it "power nerve". It activates the metabolism, increases blood pressure and deepens breathing. As soon as the wrap is as warm as the skin, a reverse reaction begins: the parasympathetic nervous system – "the recreational nerve" – is activated, relaxation and pain relief are the result. In this phase the body can already warm up again. Fever-lowering wraps should be removed at this stage.

Consulting expert: Dr. med. Guido Krandick is a specialist in pediatric and adolescent medicine. After studying in Bonn, Vienna and Würzburg, she worked for almost ten years at the Schwabing Children’s Clinic at the Technical University of Munich. He has had his own practice south of Munich since 2000. He is married and has two children.

Swell:
1. Stellmann M. Treat teething troubles naturally, Munich Graefe and Unzer Verlag 2004
2. Kunze P, Weigert V wraps, teas and motherly love. The best home remedies for sick children, Munich Graefe and Unzer Verlag 2012
3. Bachmann R, Schleinkofer B Naturally healthy with Kneipp, Stuttgart, Trias-Verlag 2013
4. Uhlemann C, Lange U, Seidel E, basic knowledge of rehabilitation, physical medicine, naturopathy, Bern, Verlag Hans Huber, 2007
5. Melchart, naturopathic treatment, guidelines for medical education, further and advanced training, Stutgart, New York, Schattauer Verlag 2002

Important NOTE:
This article contains only general information and must not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor. It is unfortunately not possible for our experts to answer individual questions.

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