thermometers
Thermometers: Understand the options
Thermometers come in a variety of styles. Understand the different types of thermometers and how to pick the right thermometer for you.By Mayo Clinic Staff
Choosing the thermometer that's best for your family can be confusing. Here's what you need to know about the most common thermometers.
Digital thermometers
Regular digital thermometers, which use electronic heat sensors to record body temperature, can be used in the rectum, mouth or armpit. The most accurate way to take a child's temperature is to use a digital thermometer, either rectally or orally. Rectal temperatures provide the best readings for infants, especially those 3 months or younger as well as children up to age 3. If you use another type of thermometer to take a young child's temperature and you're in doubt about the results, take a rectal temperature. For older children and adults, oral readings are usually accurate — as long as the mouth is closed while the thermometer is in place. Armpit readings tend to be less accurate than rectal and oral readings.
Pros. Most digital thermometers can record temperatures from the mouth, armpit or rectum — often in a minute or less. A digital thermometer is appropriate for newborns, infants, children and adults.
Cons. Parents may worry about causing discomfort when taking a child's temperature rectally. Wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking to take an oral temperature. Having nasal congestion may make it difficult to keep your mouth closed long enough to get an accurate oral reading from a digital thermometer. If you plan to use a digital thermometer to take both oral and rectal temperatures, you'll need to get two digital thermometers and label one for oral use and one for rectal use. Don't use the same thermometer in both places.
Digital ear thermometers
Digital ear thermometers, also called tympanic thermometers, use an infrared ray to measure the temperature inside the ear canal.
Pros. When
Thermometers come in a variety of styles. Understand the different types of thermometers and how to pick the right thermometer for you.By Mayo Clinic Staff
Choosing the thermometer that's best for your family can be confusing. Here's what you need to know about the most common thermometers.
Digital thermometers
Regular digital thermometers, which use electronic heat sensors to record body temperature, can be used in the rectum, mouth or armpit. The most accurate way to take a child's temperature is to use a digital thermometer, either rectally or orally. Rectal temperatures provide the best readings for infants, especially those 3 months or younger as well as children up to age 3. If you use another type of thermometer to take a young child's temperature and you're in doubt about the results, take a rectal temperature. For older children and adults, oral readings are usually accurate — as long as the mouth is closed while the thermometer is in place. Armpit readings tend to be less accurate than rectal and oral readings.
Pros. Most digital thermometers can record temperatures from the mouth, armpit or rectum — often in a minute or less. A digital thermometer is appropriate for newborns, infants, children and adults.
Cons. Parents may worry about causing discomfort when taking a child's temperature rectally. Wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking to take an oral temperature. Having nasal congestion may make it difficult to keep your mouth closed long enough to get an accurate oral reading from a digital thermometer. If you plan to use a digital thermometer to take both oral and rectal temperatures, you'll need to get two digital thermometers and label one for oral use and one for rectal use. Don't use the same thermometer in both places.
Digital ear thermometers
Digital ear thermometers, also called tympanic thermometers, use an infrared ray to measure the temperature inside the ear canal.
Pros. When