How quickly do calf compresses reduce fever?

The effect of calf wraps occurs after a very short time. After an application of about half an hour, as described above, the temperature has usually dropped by half a degree to a whole degree Celsius. The temperature should not drop even further after a single application. Especially since the effect of the wraps unfolds comparatively quickly, circulation problems can otherwise occur during longer application.

What do you have to consider with babies, children and pregnant women?

With babies, the principle that every fever should first be clarified by a pediatrician is even more urgent. Calf nappies should be used on babies from the age of six months at the earliest. But even older babies and toddlers often have problems with calf nappies, as many babies do not tolerate damp nappies or do not hold them to their calves by kicking them.

In this case it is recommended to use stockings instead of cloths, as already mentioned for vinegar wraps. These hold better on the lower leg and are not so easy to remove. As with the vinegar wraps, a second dry stocking is pulled over the damp, no longer dripping and hand-warm stocking.

Again, it is especially important that the stockings reach to the back of the knee, but not over the knee. With babies it is also more difficult to determine whether the application is uncomfortable for the little patient. Parents should observe their baby or toddler during therapy with calf nappies and remove the nappies or socks if their baby is uncomfortable.

In this case it is recommended to use stockings instead of cloths, as already mentioned for vinegar wraps. These hold better on the lower leg and are not so easy to remove. As with the diapers, a second dry stocking is pulled over the damp, no longer dripping and hand-warm stocking.

There are a few things to consider before using calf nappies for children. As fever is a common sign of infectious diseases, a pediatrician should be consulted first, especially for small children, but also generally for safety reasons. This doctor can then clarify the cause of the fever and, if necessary, agree to treatment with calf compresses.

The temperature of the compresses plays a major role in the actual application. In children, the wraps should not be too cold. As already mentioned, hand-warm or at least lukewarm wraps are recommended.

Often, a single change of compresses is sufficient for children. After another 20 minutes or so, the compress should be removed and the fever measured again. Special care should be taken with children to ensure that the fever is not reduced by more than one degree Celsius.

During treatment with calf compresses, the child must be observed closely. A parent should be present the whole time to detect any symptoms such as discomfort or freezing under the treatment. Then the calf compresses must be removed.

In pregnancy, calf compresses are a special alternative to fever reduction, as many antipyretic drugs are either not allowed or have not been sufficiently researched in pregnant women. In addition to the precautions already mentioned before, such as measuring fever and determining the temperature of the hands and feet, special attention must be paid to the circulation in pregnant women. Caution should be taken in and around pregnancies when fever occurs suddenly or rises very high, when fever occurs after a scraping and when fever occurs in conjunction with milk congestion.In these cases and in general in case of uncertainty, a doctor should always be consulted.

Fever during pregnancy
Postpartum fever