Heat can reduce fever

Cooling applications such as calf compresses or antipyretic medication are the most common measures against fever in this country. In a new systematic review, Prof Dr David Martin and his team from the Chair of Medical Theory, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) have found evidence that heat applications can also help with fever.

At first it seems paradoxical to apply heat while the body temperature is rising. However, hydrotherapeutic heat applications such as warm foot baths or grain pillows are common in the Middle East and Asia to support feverish patients. Data from the present systematic review show in some cases that body temperature decreases after these heat applications. Most of the studies analysed here mention temperatures around 40° Celsius.

"We assume that heat applications relieve the body during the energy-intensive and unpleasant phase of fever build-up. After all, the patient has to produce less heat themselves in order to fight the infection," summarises Prof Martin. This relief can therefore make people feel a little better despite their fever and prevent it from rising unnecessarily.

Further research planned

The findings from the systematic review are being researched further at the Chair. Studies are currently underway to clinically investigate the links between heat and fever, the results of which are still pending. Prof Dr David Martin and his team have been researching the topic of fever since 2016. Previous results can be found on the project website www.feverapp.de, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Original publication on the overview study

Krafft, H. S., Raak, C. K., & Martin, D. D. (2022). Hydrotherapeutic Heat Application as Support in Febrile Patients: A Scoping Review. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine.https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2022.0565