What thermometer to choose

There are three essential conditions when it comes to taking the temperature well, always measuring it in the same body area, always using the same type of thermometer and always keeping it clean.

The ideal time to take the temperature is after a half-hour rest period, and in a place where the ambient temperature is not extreme, neither by cold nor by heat. You also have to keep in mind that body temperature varies during the day depending on physical exercise and outside temperature.

But, what thermometer to choose? Each thermometer has its characteristics, for example mercury offers a more reliable measurement, although it takes several minutes to perform it. It can be placed in the rectum, in the groin, in the armpit or under the tongue. Both the temperature taken in the rectum, and under the tongue, have 0.5º more because the interior temperature is warmer than on the surface. In case of diarrhea or constipation the result may be altered. The digital thermometer was one of the first that appeared on the market after the classic mercury thermometer. This can be used in several parts of the body, being able to adopt the one that best tolerates the baby, its measurement is also fast, although you have to be patient until it emits the acoustic signal, which happens after a couple of minutes.

The atrial thermometer is a very useful option for children over 6 months, since its measurement is done in a few seconds. The thermometer probe should be well placed, in fact, it measures the blood flow of the eardrum that is the same as that of the hypothalamus, the center of body temperature control in the brain. A disadvantage is that the correct position is not achieved, so the temperature will not be reliable, in addition the temperature can vary in each ear and can lead us to repeat the measurement unnecessarily.

The front thermometers capture body heat on the forehead through an infrared sensor. A few millimeters from the skin of the forehead passes the temporal artery that carries the flow from the heart to the brain. It is very comfortable because it can be used even if the child is sleeping and it is very fast, in addition there are some who do not need contact with the skin. The bad thing is that external conditions can influence the outcome of the shot.

Which one do you decide?

Video: What I Look For In a BBT Thermometer. Choosing Your First One (March 2024).