Many people, when they think they have a fever, head for the shower to see if it will help them feel better. However, they may question whether they should take a hot or cold shower. Fever is an elevation of the body temperature that often comes with fatigue and discomfort. This elevation of body temperature is usually the result of an illness or infection that the body is trying to fight off. In addition to the fever, the person may sweat or have chills, feel achy all over, feel weak, and have a headache.
The shower may help relieve and reduce these symptoms. A hot shower can make a person sweat, help them relax, and ease muscle tension. Taking a cold shower, in contrast, will reduce their body temperature and inflammation. They will feel refreshed when the shower is over. As both provide benefits, should a person take a hot or cold shower for a fever?
A person can determine what makes them feel best. A hot shower may help them sleep and relieve any muscle aches. A cold shower will cool them down and reduce their body temperature. However, precautions should be taken regardless of which option they choose. They don’t want to make themselves more uncomfortable or shock their body. A short shower can provide relief without making them overly tired and dehydrated.
Fever Symptoms
A person can often tell they have a fever even if a thermometer is not handy. They struggle with chills and sweating because the body is trying to regulate its temperature naturally. Headaches, muscle aches, joint aches, and body aches are associated with a fever.
The individual will likely feel fatigued and weak, with no energy to complete their everyday activities. They may have no appetite and find their heart rate is elevated. This elevation is the body trying to fight the illness or infection. Dehydration is common, as well. A fever indicates that something is wrong within the body, and the individual may need to seek treatment.
Reducing a Fever with a Shower
A shower can help a person reduce their fever. The shower increases blood circulation, lowering the fever and body temperature. The water cools the skin. As water evaporates from the body, its temperature decreases. The person will be more comfortable and relaxed, which will help them sleep and fight off the illness. However, the shower alone likely won’t resolve the fever or the underlying disease.
Hot Water and a Fever
A hot shower can reduce a fever by increasing circulation and prompting sweating. Furthermore, it relaxes them and makes them feel more comfortable. The steam produced during the shower will help moisturise the nasal passages and throat, reducing the risk of dehydration. The shower will also help reduce any congestion the person is experiencing, as well as their chills and body aches. However, a person should be careful when taking a hot shower. If they feel light-headed or notice their fever is worsening, they need to get out of the shower, get dressed, and go to the doctor.
Cold Showers and Fever
A cold shower can also help a person reduce their fever. The cold water lowers the body temperature by constricting blood vessels and minimising blood flow. It may help reduce inflammation and make the person feel better. The cold water pulls heat from the body, naturally cooling the individual. Individuals sensitive to cold, however, should avoid taking cold showers; the same applies to those with specific medical conditions that make them sensitive to cold.
Which to Choose?
While the choice between a hot and a cold shower is mostly a matter of personal preference, each option has benefits worth considering. In addition to the benefits outlined above, a hot shower may boost the body’s immune system, allowing the person to recover from the fever and illness more quickly. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean a cold shower is a bad idea. The cold water will reduce the individual’s body temperature, helping relieve their symptoms. They will feel better, and blood circulation will improve, which allows the immune system to fight off the illness. Cold water has anti-inflammatory properties that can also benefit a person with a fever.
Take Care When Showering with a Fever
People shouldn’t use extremely hot or cold water when showering while they have a fever. Lukewarm water is best, and the shower should be brief. While a long shower might sound nice, it could leave the individual fatigued. Staying in the water too long can also lead to dehydration, worsening the symptoms. Anyone who wants a shower but feels weak may need help to avoid falling and injuring themselves.
Extremely hot water can raise body temperature and worsen the fever. It can leave the person dehydrated and will strip natural oils from the skin. The skin may then become dry and irritated, adding to the individual’s discomfort. Hot water can also raise a person’s blood pressure and put additional stress on their cardiovascular system. Neither is good when a person already has a fever.
A cold shower will help lower the body temperature, but it can also make symptoms worse. Cold can constrict blood vessels, making a person uncomfortable. Keep this in mind when determining which type of shower to take.
How Long is Too Long?
Some people want to stand in the shower for a long time because they feel better under the water. However, medical professionals recommend keeping the shower to 15 minutes or less. That period will allow them to cleanse their bodies and relieve their symptoms without overstraining themselves. A short shower will help prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Furthermore, ensure the water is the desired temperature before stepping into the shower. When a person with a fever steps into a freezing shower, they put additional stress on their immune system, which may prolong the fever.
A shower is excellent when a person has a fever. If the individual does not feel like taking a shower because their symptoms are severe, they can place cool compresses on their head to help lower their temperature and use over-the-counter medications to bring down the fever. Furthermore, they should seek medical treatment to learn why they are running a fever and what steps they can take to treat it and get better quickly.
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