Can you sponge a child with alcohol to keep him cool during a heat wave, or is that dangerous?

Dangerous: Dangers avoid sponging anybody with Alcohol

Keep inside/cool: air conditioning or fan, cool fluids. Alcohol bath is an outdated mode of breaking fever.. I do not advise alcohol sponging in a heat wave.

Sta in cool place: Sponging child with alcohol is best reserved for bringing down fever say over 102 where advil doesn't work. Don't use Tylenol (acetaminophen) in children due to liver toxicity. When sponging is used to bring the temp down, mix the alcohol 50/50 with warm water, sponge and allow to evaporate. This will bring the temp. down. Sponging to keep cool not indicated.

Sponging with: alcohol is not a good idea. Alcohol can lower the body temperature too quickly and cause more fluid to evaporate from the body, which can be dangerous. Try to have the child stay in a cool place with air conditioning or a fan, if possible and have him/her drink plenty of fluids.

Not Dangerous: But not necessary. Stay in cool environment during peak heat, hydrate and avoid strenuous activity. Alcohol and ice baths is for child symptomatic (nausea, vomiting and lethargy) and temp >101.

If temp elevated: If the child's body temperature begins to rise, that may be a sign of impending heat-related injury (like heat stroke or heat exhaustion). Alcohol rubs will increase loss of temperature through skin, but a child with elevated temp during a heat wave needs to be brought to immediate medical attention, preferably in an air conditioned setting. If temp is normal, no reason to use alcohol sponge baths

Tepid water: Tap water sponging with a fever reducer is the right approach. It is not critical to bring the fever too agressively.

Do not sponge with: alcohol. Dress child down, use cool water and more important provide cool liquids to keep well hydrated, also limit activities outdoors when there is heat wave advisory. To improve compliance vary types of fluids offered, flavored water meets with greater compliance. Enjoy summer and be safe. www.healthtap.com/dr-nnebe