Using underarm temperature is a safe and effective way to monitor body temperature, especially in younger children. There are several pros and cons to consider when determining if…. Rectal Thermometer Use . Each long mark is the same as 1 degree. Oral temperature is considered to be almost as accurate as rectal temperature. Otherwise healthy adults should also seek help for a high fever or a fever that lasts longer than a day. CARE OF THE THERMOMETER To clean a thermometer, pull it through a cool, soapy cotton ball or tissue. However, the general guidelines show what’s considered a fever using the different body temperature measurement methods: Symptoms of a fever depend on its cause. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Avoid using the teeth to keep the thermometer in place. For those who prefer the old tried and true, this glass thermometer offers an accurate reading without the risk of mercury poisoning common with outdated models. Underarm (axillary) and forehead temperatures are considered to be the least accurate because they’re taken outside of the body rather than inside. If you are using a digital thermometer, it should beep when it is finished measuring. You can buy these from supermarkets and pharmacies. Press the child’s upper arm against his chest to keep the arm still and the thermometer in place. 1. These numbers are your temperature. Keep the thermometer tightly … Fever strips and pacifier thermometers do not give an accurate temperature. Before each measurement of body temperature, check the thermometer, examined it carefully. Sinus-related pain that feels like a headache and migraine can have very similar symptoms, such as sinus pain. Keep it under your arm for about 5 to 10 minutes and you'll get a good reading. Place the tip of the thermometer under your child’s arm so it only touches skin. Place the thermometer beside your bed within easy reach, so that you can pick it up while still lying down the next morning. If you use the thermometer in the rectum it should only be used in this area from now on. Using mercury thermometers is risky in families. Hold your arm down tightly at your side. "Fever" is a word used for a temperature that is higher than normal for the body. This thermometer can be used orally, rectally or under the arm, and it’s waterproof. Contact your local trash collection program to see if there's a hazardous waste … How to measure an infant or toddler’s temperature, Other thermometers to measure temperature, The Future of Prosthetics Might Be in This Mind-Controlled Bionic Arm, How the COVID-19 Vaccines Are Providing Hope to a Hard-Hit Navajo Nation. Oral temperature measurement is a common way to take a body temperature. Mercury is inside the silver tip and line. If you have a glass thermometer that uses alcohol or galinstan as its means of measurement, leave the thermometer under the arm for at least five minutes. Glass thermometers with red or blue alcohol inside may also be used for axillary temperatures. Although you can use a digital probe thermometer to take a rectal temperature reading, this isn’t recommended. Do NOT use a mercury thermometer. To use a digital thermometer: Clean the tip with cold water and soap, then rinse it. It involves observing your thoughts and emotions as they are, without judging or dwelling on…, While Himalayan salt lamps are generally considered safe to use in your home, there are risks you should be aware of. Turn the thermometer on. Hold the thermometer by the top end and shake it down sharply until the mercury falls below the 35C (95F) mark. Sit your child on your lap, facing away from you. All rights reserved. Clinically proven for accuracy, this oral thermometer is easy to use and comes with both Fahrenheit and Celsius markings. Once a staple in most medicine cabinets, mercury thermometers use mercury encased in glass to measure body temperature. Oral thermometers aren’t recommended for young children, as they often have trouble keeping the thermometer under their tongue long enough for a temperature reading to be taken. Once a staple in most medicine cabinets, mercury thermometers use mercury encased in glass to measure body temperature. Hold the thermometer by the end opposite the colored (red, blue, or silver) tip. Low body temperature can also be a cause for concern. Wait about 1 minute or until the thermometer beeps. Tips. The normal axillary temperature is usually a degree lower than the oral (by mouth) temperature. A normal axillary temperature is between 96.6° (35.9° C) and 98° F (36.7° C). These thermometers use electronic heat sensors to record body temperature. Do not use a mercury thermometer. There are many kinds of digital thermometers. Rinse it with cool water. Yes, for the most accuracy. Glass thermometers need to be held in place for 7 to 10 minutes. How to Take a Temperature: Children and Adults. Body temperature is often measured by placing a thermometer in the mouth. 5. According to the Mayo Clinic, about a third of children who have one febrile seizure will experience another, often within the following 12 months. Mercury thermometer under the child`s hand. This will take about a minute or until it beeps. Temporal Thermometer Use . Mercury is bad for your health, as well as for the water, wildlife, and waste systems on earth. Turn the thermometer on and place it under your child’s arm so the tip of the thermometer sits at the center point of his armpit, touching only skin and no clothing. The idea is to insert the thermometer sensor or probe into the mouth, wait for a minute and get the exact temp reading. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. If the line reads more than 96° F (35.6° C), firmly shake the thermometer downward several times. Turn the thermometer on. Copyright © 2012. The above information is an educational aid only. Do not try to clean up the spill. Keep the thermometer in your armpit until the digital thermometer beeps. Glass thermometers with galinstan (GAL-in-stan) may also be used to check an axillary temperature. 4. Put the tip under … Tooth Extraction Recovery: How Long Does It Take for the Hole to Close? Keep the thermometer under your arm for 5 minutes or longer. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Here’s how to use it: Forehead temperature is the next most accurate reading behind ear, oral, and rectal temperatures. Sit your child on your lap, facing away from you. It can be a good way to screen for changes in body temperature. Axillary, or armpit temperature is the least accurate of the three. Older adults should also seek prompt medical help for a fever. Oral and axillary temperature readings are about ½° to 1°F (.3°C to .6°C) below rectal. Put the tip under … Do not use a mercury thermometer. A course of antibiotics can usually wipe out the infection that’s causing a fever. Speak to a pharmacist if you have any questions when buying a thermometer. Contact the following: 24-Hour Nationwide Poison Control Hotline. This method is used for adults and children 4 and over who are able to hold thermometer in mouth. Hold the thermometer in place with the lips and fingers. 4. An armpit temperature is generally 1 degree lower than an oral temperature. A digital thermometer is useful for taking underarm temperature. Place a clean thermometer under the arm and place the arm back down on top of it snugly. See if your thermometer has a dial. The boy holds under his arm a. Having a temperature that’s much warmer or cooler than your usual temperature, though, may indicate some kind of health problem, such as fever caused by infection or low body temperature caused by hypothermia. Write down the time and your axillary temperature each time you take it. The steps for taking a child’s rectal temperature are outlined above in the section “How to measure an infant or toddler’s temperature.”. Use the following chart to find the ear, oral, or rectal reading that corresponds to the axillary reading. This method is user-friendly and is accurate if kept firmly under the arm for the time required. The EPA recommends the use of mercury-free thermometers but it does not endorse any specific brand and suggests choosing a thermometer that is easy to use and read. Put the end with the covered tip securely in your armpit. Hold your arm down tightly at your side. 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