Tepid sponging is a procedure used to control body temperature through evaporation and conduction, which is usually conducted on clients with high fever. It involves wiping the entire body of the client with warm water, which causes vasodilatation of blood vessels, pores of skin, reduction of blood viscosity, improving metabolism, and stimulating impulse through skin receptor which is sent to hypothalamus posterior to decrease the body temperature. The procedure can reduce body temperature by 1.4°C in 20 minutes.

Tepid sponging is often used in addition to antipyretic medication to reduce fever in children living in tropical climates. In a clinical trial, tepid sponging was found to be more effective than antipyretic medication alone in reducing temperature in febrile children. However, the effectiveness of tepid sponging as a treatment alongside paracetamol varies between studies, with some finding that it is of no benefit, whereas others suggest that it is helpful.

Tepid sponging is safe for practice in children with high-grade fever. Running tap water or lukewarm water with a temperature between 32 degrees centigrade to 35 degrees centigrade should be used for tepid sponging. The procedure should be done for around 20 to 30 minutes but not more than that.