Homeopathy & Fever Remedies

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You aren't treating the fever, but the whole

child and when the child is improved, the fever goes

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FEVERS

Materia Medica

ACONITE (3). Colds, inflammatory, and simple

remittent fever. Useful at the onset of fevers,

especially if they are caused by exposure to dry

cold winds, chilling the body after heating and

check perspiration. The onset is sudden and

accompanied by general dry heat, red face,

burning, intense thirst, and a full bounding

pulse. In some cases there may be immediate chill

immediately followed by a hot head, red face

which spreads to the entire body. This remedy

suits plethoric, robust individuals who become

fearful, anxious and restless with agonized

tossing about with fever. Wants to be uncovered.

Worse < evenings, night and midnight, in a warm

room, when rising from bed. Better > by a critical sweat, open air.

ANTIMONIUM TART (1). Gastric and intermittent

fever. Coldness, trembling, and chilliness.

Copious cold clammy sweat with great faintness.

Tongue is coated thick white, with red edges.

Gastric and bilious concomitants, nausea comes in

waves, retching and vomiting. Patient is

increasingly weak, sweaty, becomes drowsy and

relaxed with lack of reaction. Great rattling of

mucus in the chest when breathing. Pulse

extraordinarily accelerated form the slightest

motion. Vertigo alternates with drowsiness, great

despondency. Worse < warmth, warm rooms, warm

wraps, warm weather, sour things and milk. Better

< belching, expectorating, vomiting, eructation,

lying on right side, and sitting erect.

ARSENICUM (2). Colds, flu, hectic, septic and

continued fevers. Fever worse < midnight and 2

AM. Externally cold internally burning, chills

irregular, shaking, craves hot drinks but drinks

in sips. Burning pains relieved by heat.

Shortneess of breath, wheezing and fears

suffocation. Anxiety, restlessness with great

exhaustion with nightly aggravation. Continually

changes places. Thinks it is useless to take

medicine. Worse midnight or after midnight, 11 PM

to 2 AM, periodicaly, very 14 days, yearly, ices,

cold drinks or foods, vegetables, watery fruits,

bad meat, food, exertion. Better > company, heat,

warm drinks and food, waram wraps, hot

applications, motion, sweating, open air, lying

with head elevated. Head feels better > by cold but limbs are > by heat.

BELLADONNA (3). Colds, inflammatory and simple

remittent fevers. Intense heat, very high fevers

with a hot head, flushed face, glistening red

eyes, dilated pupils, throbbing carotids dry heat

and burning but little or no thirst. Violent,

sudden onset with a tendency toward delirium and

spasm. Heat may steam out of the body with a

sweat that does not relieve. Some may have a hot

head yet cold feet and extremities. Fever

accompanied by spasms, shocks, jerks, twitching,

starting in sleep, and convulsions. Desires to

escape, hallucinations, frightful images, and

furious responses. Worse < touch, motion, noise,

draught of air, looking at bright, shinning

objects, 3 PM, night, after midnight, while

drinking, uncovering the head, summer heat, lying

down. Better > Rest, standing or sitting erect, warm room.

BRYONIA (2). Very useful in flu, simple

remittent, colds and continued fevers. Fever with

intense, dull, stupefying headache with

sensations as if the head would burst at the

temples, sharp pains over the eyes, faintness on

rising up, and dry lips and mouth with tongue

coated white in the center, and great thirst for

large amount of cold water at fairly long

intervals. Chill with hot head and red face, dry

cough with stitches, rheumatic pains all over the

body that are worse < motion and better > rest.

Sour oily sweat after slight exertion. Pull is

full, hard, tense and quick. Irritable, wants to

be left alone, everything put him out of humor.

Worse < least motion, raising up, stooping,

coughing, exertion, deep breathing, becoming hot in room.

FERRUM PHOS (2). Colds, inflammatory and simple

remittent fevers. Useful in early stages of fever

where it stands midway between sthenic remedies

like Acon. and Bell. and asthenic remedies like

Gels. and Bapt. Simple fever without concomitant

symptoms and of unknown origins esp., in those

who are nervous, sensitive, and anemic with false

plethora and easy flushing. Full, soft, round

flowing pulse, less bounding than Aco. and less

flowing then Gels. Drowsiness with rush of

thoughts, eyes half open in sleep, and

prostration. Worse < night, 4 to 6 AM, motion,

jar, cold air, checked sweat. Better > cold application, lying down.

GELSEMIUM (3). Useful in colds, flu, simple

remittent and continued fevers. Chills run up and

down the back, or chill alternates, or is mixed

with heat. Fevers marked by aching, tiredness,

heaviness, weakness and soreness. The patient is

dull, drowsy, dizzy, droopy eyed, faint and

trembles. Great muscular weakness, relaxation,

lack of co-ordination and prostration. Thirstless

with the heat. Wants to half recline, be held, or

lie down quietly. Apathy and indifference

regarding his illness answer question slowly.

Desire to be left alone because they feel so

tired. Worse < humid weather, spring, dampness,

10 AM, motion, bad news, thinking about his

ailments. Better > sweating, reclining with head

held high, bending forward, profuse urination.

MERCURIUS (2). Flu, colds, gastric and hectic

fever. Profuse perspiration without relief. Sweat

oily, foul, our or with sweetish penetrating odor

on head and chest, stains things yellow. Creeping

chilliness or heat and chill intermixed. Tongue,

moist, swollen, flabby, yellow, indented with

increased saliva and bad smell. Intense thirst

for cold drinks. Slowness in answering questions,

irresolution, constantly changes his mind. Worse

< at night, sweating, drafts, taking cold, lying

on the right side, when heated, extremes of cold

and heat, cloudy, damp weather. Better > moderate temperature, rest.

NATRUM MUR. (1). Colds and Intermittent fevers.

Chill between 9 and 11 AM. Heat with violent

thirst which increases with fever. Heat with the

most intolerably violent head pains, shuddering

over the back, and sweat in arm-pits and on soles

of feet. Fever-blisters around the mouth.

Irritable, gets in a passion over trifles,

depressed worse < by consolation. Worse <

alternate days, periodically, 9 to 1 AM. Better >

open air, cold bathing, sweating, rest, going without regular meals, rubbing.

NUX VOMICA (2). Flu, colds, gastric fevers.

Chilly, must be covered at every stage of fever.

The body is burning hot, esp. face, yet can not

move or uncover without feeling chilly. Aching in

the back and limbs with gastric symptoms and

constipation. Perspiration, sour on one side of

the body only. Very angry, sensitive to all

impression, can't bear noises, odors, light, etc.

Sullen, irritable, and faultfinding. Worse <

morning, after eating, touch, mental exertion.

Better > from a nap, if allowed to finish it, in evening, while at rest.

PHOSPHORUS (1). Remittent and Hectic fevers with

small, quick pulse, viscid night-sweats. Heat

comes up from the spine, palpitations with

anxiety, patient craves cold, iced drinks. Strong

ebulitions of blood and throbbing of carotids,

heat flying all over the body, but first the

hands. Fever towards evening, with anxiety, on

going to bed, in bed, at 5 PM, then heat with

thirst and internal chilliness, then heat and

sweat all night. Excitable, impressionable,

anxious and restless toward evening and twilight.

Wants company and sympathy, fearful when alone.

Worse < change of weather, wind, cold

thunderstorms, lightning, putting hands in cold

water, getting wet, twilight, lying on left or

painful side, on back, emotions. Better > lying

on right side, cold food, cold, open air, washing

with cold water, sleep, massage, eating, in the dark.

PULSATILLA (2) Simple fevers, colds, flu. Chilly

yet averse to heat in warm stuffy rooms with

pain, on lying down at night. Chilliness or heat

without thirst. One-sided pains, sweats, coldness

and numbness. Dry heat of body in evening, with

distended veins and burning hands, that seek cool

places, at night in bed, night and morning. Fever

with heat of one part and chill of another,

perspiration usually profuse during the night.

Suitable for mild, gentle, yielding, emotional,

tearful persons who crave sympathy and feels

better from consolation. Worse < warm stuffy

rooms, in bed, getting feet wet, evening, night,

at twilight, rest, beginning motion, eating rich

foods, fats, ice cream, pork, eggs. Better > cool

fresh air, gentle motion, cold applications,

uncovering, erect posture, cold foods and drinks though not very thirsty.

RHUS TOX (2). Colds, flu, hectic, inflammatory

and continued fevers. Chilly, as if cold water

were poured over him followed by heat and

inclination to stretch the limbs. Sweat < during

the pain with sleepiness. Yawning with stretching

during a chill. Easily chilled, worse < least

uncovering with pain in limb. Rheumatic pains,

tearing, shooting, stitching, worse < rest and

first motion and better > by continual motion.

Continued fevers, typhoid like, with dry brown

tongue, sordes, loose bowels, and great

restlessness. Extreme restlessness with continual

change of position. Great apprehension at night,

can't remain in bed. Mind and senses becomes

cloudy. Worse < cold, wet rainy weather, after

rain, at night, exposure to wet, cold, air,

draught and storms and at rest. Better >

continued motion, heat, hot bath, warm wrapping,

rubbing warm application, warm dry weather.

SUPLHUR (2). Remittent fevers. Frequent flushes

of heat, violent ebullitions of heat throughout

entire body, dry skin and great thirst. Constant

heat on top of heat, hot, burning, sweaty hands,

burning of the soles at night, wants to put them

out from under the covers. Ascending affects,

rushes of blood, flushes of heat, vertigo, etc.

Night sweats on the nape and occiput. Useful

after other remedies when fever seems to burn the

patient up, the tongue is dry and red. Patient is

first sleepless and restless but soon becomes

drowsy. Worse < at rest, standing, stooping,

warmth of bed, washing, bathing, morning, 11 AM,

night, periodically, suppressions. Better > dry,

warm weather, lying on right side, drawing up limbs.

Repertorium

- ACO., Ant-t., Ars., BELL., BRY., Ferr-p.,

GELS., Merc., Nat-m., Nux-v., Phos., Puls., Rhus-t., Sulph..

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http://www.mirandacastro.com/articles/fever_in_children.php

Fever In Children

by Miranda Castro FSHom

Homeopathy and Fevers

Do’s | Dont’s

The Remedies

Seek help from your doctor or homeopathic practitioner if

Caring for a sick child can be a frightening

experience for a parent, especially if a fever is

involved. Don't panic! Fevers are not all bad. In

fact, medical research over the past twenty years

has consistently shown them to actually help in fighting infections.

Hippocrates said, ‘Give me a fever and I can cure

the child'. A weak child may be endlessly ‘sick',

neither very ill nor very well, but with no

significant rise in temperature. A more robust

child whose temperature soars may look and feel

very ill, therefore giving more cause for

concern, but is usually ill for a shorter time and recovers more quickly.

A high temperature generally indicates that the

body's defense mechanism is fighting an infection

and temperature variations indicate how it is

coping. During a fever many of the body's natural

healing processes/all the metabolic functions are

speeded up: the heart beats faster, carrying the

blood more quickly to all the organs; breathing

is quickened, increasing oxygen intake; and

sweating increases, helping the body to cool down naturally.

Often, the first symptom that your child is ill

is a fever. Fevers can be a helpful and necessary

healing stage of an acute illness­something

positive, to be encouraged rather than

suppressed. Attempts to control a fever with

Tylenol are likely to confuse the body's natural

efforts to heal itself and can prolong the

infection. Many doctors are now suggesting that a

moderate fever be left to ‘run its course'.

The average normal temperature in a healthy human

is said to be 98.4°F (37°C), but this can vary

quite markedly. Most people, adults and children,

can run a fever of up to 104°F (40°C) for several

days with no danger. It is normal for healthy

infants and children to throw high fevers 103°F

(39.5°C) and over with an infection. A

temperature of 105°F(40.5°C) is a serious cause

for concern, but it is only when it passes above

106°F (41.0°C) that there is a risk to life.

Delirium and tantrums in children sometimes

accompany high fevers and, although these are

distressing, they are not dangerous. A one time

convulsion that occurs with a fever is not a

cause for concern (although they are unpleasant).

It is the (rare) tendency to repeated convulsions

with fevers that needs medical attention.

Take the temperature with a thermometer, tucked

under the armpit for 5 minutes, for an accurate

reading. It will read about a half degree

Fahrenheit lower than that taken under the

tongue. A fever strip (for the forehead) is a

rough guide only and a hand held on the forehead

is next to useless, babies that feel hot to the

touch can have a normal temperature. The newer

digital thermometers are much easier for young

children and give a quick and accurate reading.

(Always keep a spare battery in the house!)

Fevers usually peak towards night-time and drop

by the following morning, so that if your baby

has a temperature of 104°F (40°C) in the evening

it may recur on subsequent evenings. A drop in

temperature in the morning does not mean that the

fever is past its peak. Don't worry if it rises

and falls several times over several days before finally returning to normal.

Don't forget­small babies can throw a low fever

if they become overheated (either in hot weather

or an over-heated house) and will quickly revert

to normal with undressing and/or a tepid sponging down.

to top

Homeopathy and Fevers

A fever is often the first symptom of a cold, a

flu, a sore throat, an earache, a childhood

illness or even an episode of teething. Each baby

has their own pattern of falling ill and will

experience different fever symptoms. One baby

will feel hot with a high fever, will kick off

the covers; another will be irritable, intolerant

of any disturbance and need to be kept warm; one

baby will sweat profusely, be thirsty and

slightly delirious; another will be dry and hot

and refuse liquids. Each of these babies will

need a different homeopathic remedy to help them

depending on their emotional state and general

symptoms. Prescribe on the whole picture to help

your baby fight their infection safely and effectively.

to top

The Remedies

It's as easy as ABC! and P

The first remedies to think of if your baby is feverish are the following:

Aconite

This fever comes on suddenly, often after a chill

(especially from a cold wind). She is fine on

going to bed and then wakes around midnight with

a high fever. She is hot and sweaty and thirsty,

kicks the covers off and then feels cold. Her

cheeks alternate between being hot and red and

pale and ghostly or one cheek may be hot and red

if it is a teething fever. She can also be very

restless and distressed, you suspect that she may have a pain somewhere.

to top

Belladonna

Fevers calling for Belladonna come on suddenly.

Your baby gets so hot she radiates heat. It is a

dry heat (without sweating) and can alternate

with chills. She may become delirious, her pupils

are more dilated than usual and she may grind her teeth (if she has any!)

to top

Chamomilla

Fevers in teething babies, or those that

accompany an earache or sore throat. You will

recognise this one easily because your child is

very hard to please, she wants to be carried

constantly but even that doesn't help much, she

cries and shouts a lot and may even hit out.

There are red, round patches on one or both

cheeks. The face can be hot whilst the body is cold.

to top

Phosphorus

For fevers in babies who do not appear as ill as

they should! Their appetite doesn't change, they

play happily in spite of a moderate to high

fever. They have a dry, burning fever with a

thirst, especially for cold drinks.

to top

Pulsatilla

Fever in teething babies or those who are coming

down with an infection. Gets easily overheated,

kicks the covers off and then gets cold. These

babies refuse drinks and are much better for

fresh air. They want to be cuddled constantly and feel better for it

to top

Do's | Dont's

Seek help from your doctor or homeopathic practitioner if

Do's

talk reassuringly to your baby about what is

happening. The sound of your voice is comforting to them­and to you!

keep your sick baby close to you­many babies want

to be carried constantly and sleep better if they

are tucked up in bed with their mothers during

this time! Remind yourself that it won't last and

you can restablish a routine once she is well again.

provide a calm environment for your feverish

child. This is not a time to go visiting!

encourage your baby to drink plenty of fluids,

preferably water, herb teas or diluted natural

juices, or at least sips of water at frequent

intervals. Older babies who are reluctant to

drink will often suck on a (clean!) wet sponge or

flannel, especially if the water is warm, or try

an ice cube or frozen fruit juice. If you are

breastfeeding a sick baby continue to nurse as

often as your baby asks, as this is probably all

that will be wanted. The breast is especially comforting when they are unwell.

sponge your baby down with tepid water if the

fever goes above 103°F/104°F (40°C) and your

child feels hot and sweaty. Expose and sponge one

limb at a time until it feels cool to the touch.

Dry it and replace it under the covers before

going on to the next limb. This will help the

temperature to drop by 1-2°F (up to 1°C) and can

be repeated as often as necessary. Sponging the

face and forehead alone can also give relief. Or

you can immerse a feverish but not desperately

ill child in a bath of tepid (not cold) water

from time to time to bring down a fever. In any

case keep a hot, feverish baby cool, and a chilly

feverish baby (one who feels cold to the touch and shivers) warm.

prescribe homeopathic remedies when the fever is

one of a number of symptoms, for example, where

the patient is clearly suffering from, say

earache, teething or a sore throat and a fever.

If the first symptom to arise is a fever then

wait for a while for other symptoms to surface

before prescribing for the whole picture. Contain

the fever, again if necessary, by sponging down (see above).

suppress the fever with Tylenol in an emergency ,

that is, where the fever rises above 105°F

(40.5°c), or if your child is in severe pain

from, say, teething in the middle of the night,

and homeopathic first-aid prescribing isn't

helping. Ring your homeopath or doctor in the

morning or during the night if you are anxious.

watch for signs of dehydration in infants under

six months old, and especially in children who

are refusing to drink or who are drinking less than usual.

to top

Don'ts

encourage sick children to eat­especially if they

don't want to. Fasting encourages the body in its

process of healing. Give babies who are hungry

small, light, nutritious meals such as fruit or

vegetable purees, soups and porridge.

give any form of aspirin to a feverish child.

This has been known to lead to dangerous,

although rare, complications, in particular

Reye's syndrome, which affects the brain and

liver. You can use Children's Tylenol in an

emergency, or if your baby seems to be in pain

and you don't have a homeopathic remedy to

hand­but never exceed the recommended dose.

to top

Seek help from your doctor or homeopathic practitioner if:

your baby under six months old has a fever.

an older baby has a fever of over 104°F (40°C)

that doesn't respond to sponging and homeopathic treatment within 24 hours.

there is a history of convulsions accompanying

fevers in your family. Keep a close eye when your

baby has a fever­it is the rapid rise in temperature that can cause a fit.

the baby or older child is also refusing to drink

(is thirstless) as dehydration can occur. Signs

of dehydration are: limpness, poor muscle tone,

sunken eyes, a sunken fontanelle. Small children

who develop a fever, especially infants under six

months old, must be watched carefully because

they are vulnerable to becoming quickly dehydrated.

there is a general lack of reaction (listlessness

and limpness) and your baby is distressed, which

can mean that a more serious illness (such as

pneumonia or meningitis) is developing.

you are worried and need reassurance about your

sick baby­contact your doctor or homeopath

immediately, it is always better to be on the

safe side when it comes to your baby's health.

See guidelines for using homeopathic remedies