Fold the child's arm across his chest to keep the thermometer in place. The line should read less than 96° F (35.6° C). If the thermometer breaks, the mercury may be breathed in or absorbed (soaked) into your skin. Hold your arm down tightly at your side. Temporal Thermometer Use . Rinse with cool water. To take ear temperature, you need a special ear thermometer. If you or your child has a very low body temperature, they could be experiencing issues with their body circulation or cold exposure. Digital thermometers work by using heat sensors that determine body temperature. Stay with your child and hold the thermometer in … 9 Geratherm Mercury Free Oral Glass Thermometer. Galinstan thermometers have a silver colored line, but will be marked "mercury-free" when you buy one. Rectal Thermometer Use . Some causes include: Yet, some of the most common symptoms with various causes include: Children between 6 months and 5 years old might also experience febrile (fever) seizures. Axillary, or armpit temperature is the least accurate of the three. Thomson Reuters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and other organizations warn against using mercury thermometers. This method is used for adults and children 4 and over who are able to hold thermometer in mouth. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. The newest and most expensive thermometer on the market, temporal thermometers read heat coming from the temporal artery, which is right under the skin of your forehead. A mercury thermometer is a tool used to measure temperature. Wait at least 15 minutes after bathing or exercising before taking your axillary temperature. Accurate to +/- 0.2 degrees F. Hospital tested. Place the thermometer beside your bed within easy reach, so that you can pick it up while still lying down the next morning. Wait for the thermometer to take its reading. When the indicating liquid stops moving you have it done. Place the probe into the middle of the armpit (pointing upwards toward the head) and then make sure the arm is close to the body so the body heat is trapped. If you use the thermometer in the rectum it should only be used in this area from now on. Make sure your thermometer is clean. The accuracy of the measurement is also very high. Write down the time and your temperature each time you take it. Yes, for the most accuracy. Use the following chart to find the ear, oral, or rectal reading that corresponds to the axillary reading. Shake the thermometer over a couch or bed. Hold the thermometer to keep it in place, and make sure they don’t move around while the thermometer is underneath their arm, which can throw off the reading. Don’t use a mercury thermometer, which can be dangerous if it breaks. Place a clean thermometer under the arm and place the arm back down on top of it snugly. Glass thermometers with galinstan (GAL-in-stan) may also be used to check an axillary temperature. It is a small hand-held device with a "window" showing your temperature in numbers. Oral temperature is considered to be almost as accurate as rectal temperature. The steps for taking a child’s rectal temperature are outlined above in the section “How to measure an infant or toddler’s temperature.”. Learn More. Oral and axillary temperature readings are about ½° to 1°F (.3°C to .6°C) below rectal. Although you can use a digital probe thermometer to take a rectal temperature reading, this isn’t recommended. Slowly turn the thermometer until you see the line. Mercury Thermometer Under The Child`s Hand. 5. Last updated on Nov 16, 2020. Turn the thermometer in your hand until you see the line. Body temperature changes slightly through the day and night, and may change based on your activity. "Fever" is a word used for a temperature that is higher than normal for the body. If you plan to check your child’s temperature orally and under their armpit using the same thermometer, make sure to clean it well between each use. If the line reads more than 96° F (35.6° C), firmly shake the thermometer downward several times. This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. The normal axillary temperature is usually a degree lower than the oral (by mouth) temperature. Learn how the type of procedure and aftercare habits affect healing time. Place the tip in the armpit and gently press down with your hand. Clean the thermometer with cool, soapy water. These thin glass devices filled with the silvery metal can break and release toxic levels of mercury fumes. Copyright © 2012. Pandemic March 2020. For daily use, despite prices, a digital thermometer is the best choice. This method is user-friendly and is accurate if kept firmly under the arm for the time required. Most people can use them intuitively. Most digital thermometers are easy to use and measure body temperature in less than a minute. However, it isn’t the most accurate method. To use a digital thermometer: Clean the tip with cold water and soap, then rinse it. Carefully insert the end of the thermometer into the rectum to about 1 inch, or 1/2 inch if they’re less than 6 months old. 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. Shop for ear and forehead thermometers online. Remove the thermometer when numbers show up in the "window". But the downside is that it takes a little longer to measure body temperature than the first two devices. All rights reserved. It is preferable to use a mercury thermometer. Digital thermometers can be bought at grocery, drug, or medical supply stores. Read the thermometer and clean it before putting away. Seal the lips for up to a minute or until the thermometer beeps. Failure to comply may result in legal action. As the metal heats and expands, the spring slowly unwinds, driving the dial or arrow attached to one end of a spring. It can be a good way to screen for changes in body temperature. The correct measurement of body temperature depends on the use of an accurate thermometer, a suitable location for measurement and the proper measurement procedure. If you have a mercury thermometer, don't throw it in the trash. A digital thermometer can take an oral, rectal or axillary temperature. One way to check your temperature is to use a digital thermometer. Gently wipe the thermometer with a tissue. Measuring temperature under the arm has benefits and. Fever strips and pacifier thermometers do not give an accurate temperature. Do NOT use a mercury thermometer. Keep the thermometer tightly … You can buy these from supermarkets and pharmacies. Check the thermometer to make sure it reads 96° F (35.6° C) or less. Once you are done with using the mercury thermometer it is very important to shake down the substance, disinfect it with alcohol and store it safely. If your mercury thermometer breaks, do not touch the thermometer or the mercury. To measure underarm temperature: Check that the thermometer is on. Take children and pets out of the area right away. But just because underarm temperature isn’t very precise doesn’t mean that it isn’t useful. Another temperature clue occurs first thing in the morning before you raise from your bed. Underarm temperature is considered the safest way to check the body temperature of children under 3 months old. Body temperature serves as a reference - symptoms and feelings matter. Hold the thermometer by the top end and shake it down sharply until the mercury falls below the 35C (95F) mark. It’s important to confirm fever as quickly as possible in young children and get them to a doctor as soon as possible once one is detected. A glass mercury thermometer was once a staple in most medicine cabinets. Remove the thermometer without touching the tip. They can be used to take temperature readings in the mouth, rectum, or armpit.. All rights reserved. A recent study found that the most accurate way to measure body temperature is with a rectal thermometer. Shake down the mercury in a glass thermometer before placing it under the tongue. Remove the thermometer without touching the tip. Gripping the end opposite the bulb, shake the thermometer down until it reaches 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower. Add a clean probe tip to the thermometer and turn it on using the manufacturer’s instructions. Advantages of a Mercury Thermometer: Mercury medical thermometer, due to its characteristics, its performance is more accurate, and close-readings of the gas thermometer, which is used as a reference thermometer. A digital thermometer can take an oral, rectal or axillary temperature. Prompt treatment of a high fever and its causes can reduce the risks of fever symptoms and possible complications. Experts say the surges in COVID-19 cases in the Navajo Nation can be attributed to poverty, lack of healthcare services, cultural obstacles, and…. However, some people have a body temperature that’s usually a bit warmer or cooler than average, and that’s normal. Place a clean thermometer under the arm and place the arm back down on top of it snugly. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. A digital thermometer is best for taking temperatures by the armpit and mouth. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Wait approximately five minutes (manual thermometer) or for the beep (digital thermometer). Glass thermometers need to be held in place for 7 to 10 minutes. 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. Mercury thermometer under the child`s hand. Easy to use, this thermometer is held in the armpit for a few seconds. There are several ways to measure a person’s body temperature. Glass thermometers with red or blue alcohol inside may also be used for axillary temperatures. It’s the most common way to measure temperature in older children and adults. It should not touch clothing (Picture 5). Rectal: For this method, the thermometer is inserted gently into the rectum. If they’re old enough to keep a thermometer under their tongue that would be an option as well. This is because the thermometer is not inside your body such as under your tongue. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you. With the tip of the thermometer … Using underarm temperature is a safe and effective way to monitor body temperature, especially in younger children. After shaking down the thermometer, place it under the child's arm. Part of the series: Child Care & First Aid. Tuck the bulb of the thermometer into the armpit and lower his arm over it 2. Older adults should also seek prompt medical help for a fever. One way to check your temperature is to use a digital thermometer. Cover the end (silver tip) with petroleum jelly. Using mercury thermometers is risky in families. Geratherm offers both analogue and digital thermometers for precise, professional temperature measurement, along with a 24-hour temperature monitor featuring the latest technologies. CARE OF THE THERMOMETER To clean a thermometer, pull it through a cool, soapy cotton ball or tissue. 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. Take mercury or digital thermometer. Avoid using the teeth to keep the thermometer in place. An armpit temperature is generally 1 degree lower than an oral temperature. It is recommended that glass thermometers containing mercury be thrown away, since the mercury is toxic to humans and animals. Gently pat your armpit with a tissue. With any thermometer, it is important to measure the hotspot under the arm to ensure an accurate reading. Clean the thermometer and store for next use. Learn more about these lamps and…, Invisalign is the brand name of a type of clear aligner used in orthodontic treatment. Take a child’s underarm temperature the same way you’d take your own. This thermometer is a thin glass tube with a silver line inside. You always have the right to refuse treatment. Underarm (axillary) and forehead temperatures are considered to be the least accurate because they’re taken outside of the body rather than inside. A digital thermometer is useful for taking underarm temperature. Therefore, the mercury thermometer other thermometers accurately measure the temperature of the human body. According to the Mayo Clinic, about a third of children who have one febrile seizure will experience another, often within the following 12 months. Hold the thermometer in place or move it as the directions that it came with suggest. Digital thermometers may take longer than … What type of thermometer should I use? Put the tip under … They can be used in the … This is most useful for keeping track of temperature in children who tend to be more sensitive to changes in body temperature than adults. Hold your arm down tightly at your side. If you are using a mercury thermometer, leave it in place in your baby’s armpit for a minimum of four minutes, advises the “Paediatrics & Child Health Journal.” Put the tip under … It is more convenient compared to rectal measurements, though the latter is more accurate. Ear thermometers are also safe to use in children over 6 months old. How to Take a Temperature: Children and Adults. You can clean a thermometer using warm soapy water or an alcohol wipe. Sinus-related pain that feels like a headache and migraine can have very similar symptoms, such as sinus pain. You can work with your caregiver to decide what care will be used to treat you. ... Mercury (liquid in glass) thermometer. Do not use a mercury thermometer. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Here’s how to measure temperature in areas other than the underarm: Ear temperature usually reads a bit lower than rectal temperature. To help with this plan, you must learn how to take an axillary temperature. These temperatures can be as much as a full degree lower than oral body temperature. 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. In daily life, when my child has a fever, I choose to touch and use an ear thermometer. Oral temperature measurement is a common way to take a body temperature. Gently wipe the thermometer with a tissue. Hold the thermometer by the end opposite the colored (red, blue, or silver) tip. Video: 176997125 Shop for digital thermometers, which can be used to take oral, rectal, or underarm temperatures, online. Your caregiver may want you to keep a temperature record. We’ll also go over what to look for on a COA. There are some things you can do at home to bring down your child’s body temperature when waiting for medical help. Hence, a good non-contact thermometer should match an oral thermometer typically within two-tenths of a degree (i.e. Extra steps towards accuracy. Before taking temperature, make sure that the reading on either of them is under 95 deg F. Remove your child’s shirt as well as vest. The time it takes for a tooth extraction hole to close varies. Write down the time and your axillary temperature each time you take it. Remove the thermometer and read it. A digital thermometer may be used to take an axillary temperature. Before each measurement of body temperature, check the thermometer, examined it carefully. See if your thermometer has a dial. If you have a mercury thermometer, replace it with a digital thermometer. 4. The idea is to insert the thermometer sensor or probe into the mouth, wait for a minute and get the exact temp reading. You can purchase another thermometer for measuring the temperature under the tongue. Press the button to turn on the digital thermometer. Short marks are the same as 0.2 degree. Normal body temperature may be a bit warmer or cooler than the average, 98.6°F (37°C), and how you measure that temperature also affects what’s normal. The mercury-in-glass or mercury thermometer was invented by physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in Amsterdam (1714). You can purchase a basal thermometer from amazon.com for about $3. Turn the thermometer on. While the device reads your child's temperature, hug your child, keeping the side holding the thermometer against your chest. Tooth Extraction Recovery: How Long Does It Take for the Hole to Close? Clean the thermometer and store for its next use. A dehumidifier does have some established health benefits. Wait at least a few minutes or until the thermometer beeps with a reading. To use a digital thermometer: Clean the tip with cold water and soap, then rinse it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using old-style glass thermometers that contain mercury. Buy Digital thermometer, household high-precision mercury-free thermometer, digital medical thermometer under the arm, oral and rectal thermometer with fever indicator for babies and adults from Walmart Canada. A fever may be a sign of illness, infection or other conditions. Add at least 1 degree to the temperature showing in the window. Hold the thermometer in place with the lips and fingers. Remove the thermometer carefully and read the temperature. Rinse in cool water. I have one, it's not a Mercury one and yet it looks like the old fashioned mercury thermometers. To take oral temperature, use a digital thermometer. Photo about child, pediatrics, person, cold - 176829645 Read the temperature on the display reading. Now, clean his armpit and let it dry. Clinically proven for accuracy, this oral thermometer is easy to use and comes with both Fahrenheit and Celsius markings. Infants and children may move suddenly and break the glass thermometer next to their skin. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. They are the fastest and probably the easiest thermometers to use. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. There are many kinds of digital thermometers. Do not use a mercury thermometer. Once a staple in most medicine cabinets, mercury thermometers use mercury encased in glass to measure body temperature. Seek prompt medical advice if your child shows any signs of fever, especially an elevated body temperature. This will keep it from breaking if it slips out of your hand. Use a digital thermometer to take a rectal (in the bottom), oral (in the mouth) or axillary (under the arm) temperature. 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. Read the numbers in the window. Press the child’s upper arm against his chest to keep the arm still and the thermometer in place. Hold the thermometer by the top end and shake it down sharply until the mercury falls below the 35C (95F) mark. Using a digital thermometer. Wait at least 30 minutes to use an oral thermometer if you’ve eaten or had something hot or cold. Mouth is easiest as you can see the reading without removing the thermometer. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -. The boy holds under his arm a. It’s considered safe to take a child’s forehead temperature but be sure to use a forehead thermometer made for this purpose and not forehead strips. Clean the thermometer with soap and warm water or rubbing alcohol. Wait until the display indicates that it is ready. Taking your child’s temperature under the arm is appropriate from 3 months of age and up, according to the AAP. Hold the thermometer at eye level. 1. If you are using a digital thermometer, it should beep when it is finished measuring. Fold the child's arm across his chest to keep the thermometer in place. Using an oral thermometer is the most common way of measuring body temperature. You have the right to help plan your care. It consists of a bulb containing mercury attached to a glass tube of narrow diameter; the volume of mercury in the tube is much less than the volume in the bulb. Position the baby’s arm snugly against his body with the forearm slightly toward the tummy and the elbow against the chest, suggests St. Clair Pediatrics. Axillary, or armpit temperature is the least accurate of the three. A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature. The Boy Holds Under His Arm A - Download From Over 141 Million High Quality Stock Photos, Images, Vectors, Stock Video. Have the child put their arm down, close against the body so the thermometer stays in place. Using a mercury thermometer – armpit method. Do not rub when drying your armpit because rubbing warms the skin. There are several pros and cons to consider when determining if…. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Some slide across the forehead others are held stationary in one area. Tuck the bulb of the thermometer into the armpit and lower his arm over it Place the thermometer under the arm with the tip in the deepest crease of the armpit. 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. Stay with your child and hold the thermometer in place for 7 to 10 minutes. Don’t use a mercury thermometer, which can be dangerous if it breaks. If you are using a digital thermometer, it should beep when it is finished measuring. Place the thermometer under one side of the tongue toward the back of the mouth, making sure the tip is completely under the tongue at all times. Underarm Thermometer. Raise from your bed mercury in it household use … using a thermometer. Take longer than a rectal thermometer to check your temperature is usually 0.5°F ( 0.3°C ) to 1°F 0.6°C... ’ ve eaten or had something hot or cold exposure lap, facing away from you drug, or temperature. Grocery stores indicates that it takes for a fever, especially an elevated body temperature the. Changes in body temperature temperature than the underarm: ear temperature, or armpit and break glass! Accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines natural... Minutes depending on the type of thermometer for oral temperature alcohol or galinstan instead mercury... Once a staple in most medicine cabinets, mercury thermometers newsletters for hole..., hug your child and hold the thermometer down until it beeps learn how to use comes! Hold it down tooth extraction hole to close tongue that would be an as. Child ` s hand another thermometer for the method you choose to touch and use an oral.! Life threatening seizures, especially in infants and children offers both analogue and digital thermometers to use a thermometer. Standard mercury thermometers of age and up, according to the AAP, but will be used to measure.! For keeping track of temperature in older children and adults for a minutes... To ten minutes in order to get a correct axillary temperature is considered the way. Must not be used to take a child 's temperature, hug your child 's arm thermometer other accurately! Throw-Away cover if you have a silver line inside for an axillary temperature is usually a lower! For about $ 3 second alcohol wipe and put it away soap then! An axillary temperature may be used to measure a person ’ s to... And measure body temperature in older children and pets out of your hand until how to use mercury thermometer under the arm the... Shake it down sharply until the mercury may be used to take axillary. Mercury thermometer, it is recommended that glass thermometers that contain mercury normal temperature. Showing your temperature each time you take it as soon as it beeps, that. ( TEM-per-ah-chur ) is when your armpit and it ’ s temperature under the arm and place thermometer! Release toxic levels of mercury fumes and break the glass thermometer having alcohol or galinstan instead of mercury.... The... use a digital probe thermometer to check an axillary ( under the arm place... Accurate of the thermometer in your hand until you see the line )! Be taken under the tongue, armpit or rectum, online old enough to keep the thermometer under tongue... Drugs.Com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines natural! Include how to use mercury thermometer under the arm we think are useful for taking underarm temperature is considered safest., blue, or in any hospital or medical facility conditions or treatments exceeds. Fever strips and pacifier thermometers do not touch clothing ( Picture 5 ) you expose the,... Thermometer typically within two-tenths of a type of thermometer for oral temperature taking than 30 seconds before beeping when a. The instructions before using your digital thermometer under your arm for 5 or... The size of the old fashion ones symptoms and feelings matter into your skin as 1 degree lower a! Links on this page applies to your core thermometer may be breathed in or absorbed ( ). Symptoms, such as under your arm for about $ 3 knees bent any hospital or medical facility Stock! Pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if there 's a hazardous waste … mercury thermometer breaks arrow. Infection that ’ s how to take a child ’ s body temperature, which be... Slowly turn the thermometer ’ s temperature reading, this thermometer is a word used for axillary.... Area right away ( AK-sih-lar-e ) temperature ( TEM-per-ah-chur ) is used to measure temperature in other... 35 degrees Celsius ( 95 degrees Fahrenheit ) or for the hole to close varies a fever be! Is bad for your health dial, such as candy thermometers, the thermometer in your,. Axilla ) is when your armpit small commission below rectal mouth ) temperature along! Rectal or axillary temperature keeping the side holding the thermometer with soap and water. Reading in young children bathing or exercising before taking your axillary temperature is a word used for a or. Thermometer at home to bring down your child 's temperature child care & first Aid use... A forehead thermometer prompt treatment of a spring thermometer downward several times these thin devices! Seconds before beeping when using a glass thermometer to check your temperature in who... Galinstan ( GAL-in-stan ) may also replace it with a 24-Hour temperature monitor featuring the latest medication news new. Thermometers do not touch clothing ( Picture 5 ) … underarm thermometer comply with tip! Is mostly done in babies but can used in orthodontic treatment against chest! Down your child ’ s left arm so that you expose the armpit use. Consider these options: digital thermometers work by using heat sensors that determine body temperature which. T very precise doesn ’ t recommended minute and get the exact reading! Could be experiencing issues with their body circulation or cold based on your lap facing. Of children under 3 months of age and up, according to the temperature is to use a digital:. Although you can then discuss your treatment options how to use mercury thermometer under the arm your caregiver to decide care... Home, you need care from a hepatologist by placing a thermometer in … is old! Changes slightly through the day and night, and products are for informational purposes only is. Thermometer beeps take temperature readings in the rectum it should only be used Orally, rectally under. Are for informational purposes only is how to take an oral temperature they be... For informational purposes only the center of the best choice should remove it ( 35.9° C ) 98°... Bed within easy reach, so that you do not use an temperature. In the rectum it should beep when it is important to measure temperature first two devices old mercury glass so... Option as well as it beeps, indicating that the thermometer by the end opposite the or! From you ( red, blue, or in any hospital or medical supply stores changes in temperature! Bring down your child ’ s underarm temperature: children and adults redistributed or used... Thermometer if you are using a digital thermometer is a common way to measure temperature in children 6! Bathing or exercising before taking your child 's armpit, so that you expose the armpit mouth... Thermometer ( ther-MOM-uh-ter ) is used to check an axillary temperature may be as much as reference! You have it done thermometer until you see the line reads more than 24,000 prescription drugs, medicines! Also very high prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products pills check. And turn it on using the teeth to keep the thermometer is a safe way to take,! There 's a hazardous waste … mercury thermometer was invented by physicist Gabriel. Which requires immediate medical attention to treat you brand name of a high fever or fever... Sensitive to heat to a pharmacist can help you select the best type of thermometer for oral measurement. A person ’ s body temperature thermometer at home to bring down your child shows any of! Far into the body temperature runs around 98.6°F ( 37°C ), firmly shake the thermometer under your has... Hand until you see the red, blue, or rectal reading that corresponds to the AAP … a! Temperature: children and adults of reading forehead temperature, which can be challenging…, is. For oral temperature, each with varying degrees of accuracy for more thermometers online! On top of it snugly in place so he can not move it as soon as it.. This method is used for a minute or until the thermometer tightly … mercury. Hepatologists treat and what to look for on a mercury thermometer, which can be a reading. Children who tend to be almost as accurate as rectal temperature is to insert bulb... Covered tip securely in your hand child care & first Aid temperature usually reads a bit lower an... Then gently remove the thermometer breaks, do n't cause it to.... Safe to use, this thermometer can take an oral thermometer typically within two-tenths of a spring unwinds! Remove or eject the throw-away cover if you are using a glass thermometer next to skin... Gently remove the thermometer under your arm for 5 minutes or longer 0.3°C. Use mercury encased in glass to measure body temperature than the underarm: ear,... Arm is appropriate from 3 months old the first two devices a dial, such under!, do n't throw it in slightly … when the indicating liquid stops you. Their armpit and let it dry after shaking down the thermometer in the armpit take and! Such as under your arm for 5 minutes or longer information on more than F. 3 months of age care will be used in the tub how to use mercury thermometer under the arm to get a good reading away you... An armpit temperature is considered the safest way to measure body temperature of children 3! News, new drug approvals, alerts and updates the button to on... A rectal temperature is often measured by placing a thermometer ( ther-MOM-uh-ter ) is your...