The Benefits of Having the RIGHT Thermometer at Home

A thermometer is a medical instrument used to measure the body’s temperature. And while it’s a staple in medicine cabinets in every household, never before did we feel the need to stock up on thermometers or question their accuracy. The right kind of thermometer can help detect a fever in seconds, which can further help in the diagnosis of certain health issues, such as an infection.

A thermometer is a must, and every family should have the right kind of thermometer in their home. And please note that we’re emphasising on the word ‘right’.

Now before we delve into what constitutes a right thermometer (or understand its benefits), let’s take a look at the different types of thermometers available today.

Types of Thermometers

1. Mercury Thermometers

These are the traditional thermometers which were used for a long time before they were declared unsafe. These glass thermometers contain mercury in them. Their glass is usually very sturdy. However, in case the glass does break accidentally, and mercury is released, it can be poisonous. While widely popular, mercury thermometers are very uncomfortable, not easy to use, and need a very strict hygienic approach as they are invasive.

2. Digital Thermometers

Digital thermometers which have now taken over mercury thermometers may provide accurate readings in less than a minute, given stable circumstances. They are readily available in pharmacies. There are three ways in which a digital thermometer can be used.

• Oral: In this method, the thermometer is placed under the tongue to measure the temperature. This method works for adults and older kids, who can hold a thermometer in their mouth for a minute or two. However, do note that checking temperature through this method can be influenced by multiple factors, such as:
  1. drinking something warm or cold before placing the thermometer under the tongue.
  2. and how far it is placed inside the mouth. If it’s placed further inside the mouth, it is warmer.
• Axillary: In this method, a thermometer is placed under the crease of the armpit of a person to check the temperature. This method works for kids and adults who can’t keep a thermometer in their mouth for long, but again this method is very uncomfortable. You will need to hold it in a certain position for a longer time. For a young sick child, this will for sure be a challenge.
• Rectal: Rectal temperature is taken by gently inserting the thermometer into the rectum. This method is mostly used for babies and toddlers, but it’s not safe and can cause discomfort to a child. As it is invasive, it requires a baby to stay still for quite some time, and you need to undress your child for a big part. This method is very uncomfortable, and you will have to use hygienic measurements as this is an invasive method and a lot of germs can be found in the rectum.

3. Tympanic Thermometers

A tympanic (ear) thermometer measures the temperature inside the ear by reading the infrared heat. It is generally used for older kids and is not recommended to babies under three months of age simply because of the size. A downside of using this thermometer is that it won’t give the right readings if the child doesn’t stay still. You have to be very careful while using this thermometer, positioning it just right, so that it doesn’t touch the eardrum of the child, or else it can be painful for him and cause a lot of discomfort. Needless to say, this thermometer should not be used in case a child has an ear infection.

4. Temporal Artery Thermometers

These thermometers are used in hospitals, and this year, they have become a popular choice among parents because of their accuracy and ease of use. A temporal artery thermometer measures the arterial heat via the temporal artery on the forehead. A good temporal artery thermometer like The Exergen Temporal Artery thermometer with its infrared scanner technology can provide an accurate reading in 2-3 seconds. This non-invasive thermometer measures the temperature with a gentle swipe straight across the forehead, which makes it perfectly safe for people of all ages, from babies to older people. This advanced thermometer can retain up to eight temperature readings and features a soft glow light, which allows easy reading at night without the necessity of undressing and waking up your child. Measuring temperature is very convenient with this temporal artery thermometer.

5. Strip Thermometers

A strip thermometer measures the body temperature by placing a strip on the forehead of a sick person for a few minutes. But it doesn’t provide an accurate reading, which is why it’s no longer used or recommended.

Now that you are aware of the different types of thermometers, you probably know what will work best for you and your family. So, go ahead and pick one that suits your needs.

Benefits of Using the Right Thermometer

Thermometers have gone through a lot of research and development, which is why we have the best quality thermometers today. Find out how having the right thermometer as opposed to just any thermometer can save the day!

1. You get accurate readings.

What’s the point of having a thermometer if you can’t trust its readings? Getting accurate readings at the right time can help you dig further and find the cause of fever and take quick action. Temporal artery thermometers have become very popular in a very short time due to their ease of use and correct readings; they are used in hospitals as well by families. Also known as contact forehead thermometer, a temporal artery thermometer measures the body temperature via the blood of the temporal artery based on the forehead with their infrared scanner technology. The Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer is one of the best thermometers that can be used for kids as well as adults.

This non-invasive thermometer can be used with a gentle swipe across the forehead to measure the arterial heat in less than three seconds. The Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer is clinically tested for accuracy and can be used to measure temperature even when the person is fast asleep.

2. You get faster readings.

A good thermometer gives accurate readings and quickly, i.e., in less than 4 seconds. If you, your child, or someone in your family is sick and you take their temperature, you will want to know if they have a fever and soon, and you will want the exact temperature reading. Digital and temporal artery thermometers can do the job in seconds.

3. You can record and maintain temperature readings.

Some of the best thermometers available today are programmed to retain the previous temperature readings. They can be very useful for those who fall sick often to check the fluctuations in temperature. The Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer can record up to eight temperature readings and keep track of changes in the temperature throughout the day. The soft glow light allows for easy readings at night. You won’t need to maintain a diary to record the temperature anymore with this thermometer. It also gives readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit; you can select the temperature scale you want to record the readings in. No need to open the conversion tool every time you take the temperature!

4. You don’t have to think hard trying to understand how a thermometer works.

A thermometer won’t be ‘right’ for you or your family if you have to spend considerable time to figure out how it works, especially when someone is sick in the family! A good thermometer is easy to use and comes with easy-to-follow instructions. And a temporal artery thermometer makes measuring temperature so easy, all you need to do is to swipe it across the forehead of the sick person, and you will get the reading within seconds. Similarly, oral digital thermometers can also be used with the press of a button to get the readings in less than a minute.

5. You can take your ill child’s temperature conveniently.

Yes, you read that right. A good thermometer is only ‘good’ if it makes taking a child’s temperature seem like a child’s play. We bet you already know that having to make your child sit still while you take his temperature is challenging.

A thermometer, which is non-invasive and easy to use, can make your life a bit less difficult, especially when you have to take care of your sick child. With a press of a button, you get the readings without having to struggle to keep your child still.

Thermometers are more than just ‘one of the things’ in your medicine cabinet, especially in these times. A good thermometer is the need of the hour. If you’re still using that old thermometer from the last decade, it’s time you go through the above benefits and buy the ‘right’ one and keep your loved ones safe!