Do you know How to Take Temperature Under an Arm? Axillary or armpit temperature is the least accurate of the three.
An armpit temperature is generally 1 degree lower than an oral temperature. It can be nearly 2 degrees lower than a rectal temperature, which is the most accurate.
An armpit (axillary) temperature is typically 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) less than an oral temperature. A forehead (temporal) scanner is typically 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) less than an oral temperature.
Temperature Under Arm
The temperature under the arm, also known as axillary temperature, is the body temperature measured in the armpit using a thermometer. It is a common method to check for fever, which is an indication of an underlying illness or infection.
The normal range for axillary temperature is between 97.6°F (36.4°C) and 99.6°F (37.6°C). However, the accuracy of axillary temperature measurement can be affected by factors such as sweating, environmental temperature, and the type of thermometer used.
How to Take Temperature Under Arm
Taking a temperature under the arm, also known as axillary temperature measurement, is a common method to monitor body temperature, especially for children and adults when other methods like oral or ear measurements are not practical. Here are the steps to take a temperature under the arm:
Gather Your Supplies
1. A digital thermometer
2. A disposable thermometer cover, if available
3. A clean cloth or tissue to wipe away any sweat
Prepare the Thermometer
1. If using a disposable thermometer cover, make sure it is properly attached to the thermometer.
2. Ensure the thermometer is clean and free from any debris.
Prepare the Person
1. Ask the person to remove any excess clothing from the upper arm, so the thermometer can make good contact with the skin.
2. Make sure the person’s arm is dry. If it’s not, use a clean cloth or tissue to gently dry the area
Insert the Thermometer
1. Have the person sit or lie down comfortably with their arm at their side
2. Place the tip of the thermometer in the center of the armpit, ensuring it’s in contact with the skin, not clothing
3. Instruct the person to hold their arm close to their body to keep the thermometer in place
Read the Temperature
1. Once the thermometer indicates that it has completed the measurement, remove it from the armpit
2. Read and record the temperature displayed on the thermometer
Clean the Thermometer
1. Clean the thermometer with a disinfectant wipe or alcohol swab if necessary, following the manufacturer’s instructions
Record the Temperature
1. Make a note of the temperature and the time it was taken, as this information may be useful for medical purposes or tracking fever trends.
Axillary temperatures can be about 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.6 degrees Celsius) lower than oral temperatures, so it may not be the best choice when precise temperature measurements are required. If the person has a fever or any concerning symptoms, consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance.
When does your Child have a Fever?
A fever is usually defined as a body temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher. However, the exact temperature that is considered a fever can vary depending on the age of the child and the method used to take the temperature.
In infants under 3 months old, a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher is considered a medical emergency and you should seek immediate medical attention.
For children between 3 months and 3 years old, a rectal temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) or higher is considered a fever.
For children older than 3 years, a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, when taken orally, is considered a fever.
Where to Take the Temperature: How to Take Temperature Under Arm
Rectal temps are the most accurate. Forehead temps are the next most accurate. Oral and ear temps also are accurate if done properly.
Temps wiped out the armpit are the smallest amount accurate. Armpit temps are useful for screening at any age.
Age under 3 months old (90 days old). An armpit temp is the safest and is sweet for screening. If the armpit temp is above 99° F (37.2° C), re-check it. Use a rectal reading.
Reason: If young babies have a fever, they have to see a doctor now. New research shows that forehead temps can also be accurate under 3 months aged.
Age 3 months to 4 years old. Rectal or forehead temps are accurate. An ear thermometer can be used after 6 months old. An armpit temp is sweet for screening if it’s taken right.
Age 4 years and older
Safe to take the temp orally (by mouth). Ear and forehead thermometers are also good. Digital (electronic) thermometers are easily found in stores.
They do not cost very much. They can be used for rectal, armpit, and oral temps. Most of them give an accurate temp in 10 seconds or less. The AAP suggests you replace any glass thermometer in the house with one of these products.
1. Rectal Temperature: How to Take
1. Age: Birth to 4 years old
2. Have your child lie stomach down on your lap. Another way is on the back with the legs pulled up to the chest
3. Put some petroleum jelly on the end of the thermometer and the anus
4. Slide the thermometer gently into the anus no more than 1 inch. If your child is less than 6 months old, but it is no more than ½ inch. That means until you can no longer see the silvertip
5. Be gentle. There should not be any resistance. If there is, stop
6. Hold your child still. Leave a digital thermometer in until it beeps
7. Your child has a fever if the rectal temp is above 100.4° F (38° C)
8. Warning: do not take rectal temperatures in young children with leukemia or other cancers. Also avoid in other children with weak immune systems such as organ transplants, HIV, or sickle cell disease
2. Armpit Temperature: How to Take
1. Age: Any age for screening
2. Put the tip of the thermometer in an armpit. Make sure the armpit is dry
3. Close the armpit by holding the elbow against the chest. Do this until it beeps. The tip of the thermometer must stay covered by skin
4. Your child has a fever if the armpit temp is above 99.0° F (37.2° C). If you have any doubt, take your child’s temp by rectum or forehead
3. Oral Temperature: How to Take
1. Age: 4 years and older
2. If your child had a cold or hot drink, wait 30 minutes
3. Put the thermometer under one side of the tongue towards the back. It’s important to put the tip in the right place
4. Have your child hold the thermometer with his lips and fingers. Don’t use the teeth to keep in place. Keep the lips sealed until it beeps
5. Your child has a fever if the temp is above 100° F (37.8° C)
4. Digital Pacifier Temperature: How to Take
1. Age: Birth to 1 year. Only good for screening. Requires the baby to suck on it, which is not always possible
2. Have your child suck on the pacifier until it beeps
3. Your child has a fever if the pacifier temp is above 100° F (37.8° C)
5. Ear Temperature: How to Take
1. Age: 6 months and older
2. This thermometer reads the heat waves coming off the eardrum
3. A correct temp depends on pulling the ear backward. Pull back and up if over 1 year old
4. Then aim the tip of the ear probe between the opposite eye and ear
5. Parents like this thermometer because it takes less than 2 seconds. It also does not need the child to cooperate. It does not cause any discomfort
6. Caution. Being outdoors on a chilly day will cause coffee reading. Your child must be inside for a quarter-hour before taking the temp. Earwax, ear infections, and ear tubes do not keep from getting correct readings
6. Forehead Temperature: How to Take Temperature Under Arm
1. Age: Any age
2. This thermometer reads the heat waves coming off the temporal artery. This blood vessel runs across the forehead just below the skin
3. Place the sensor head at the center of the forehead
4. Slowly slide the thermometer across the forehead toward the top of the ear. Keep it in contact with the skin
5. Follow the box directions on the way to take the temp
6. Used in more doctor’s offices than any other thermometer
7. Parents like this thermometer because it takes less than 2 seconds. It also does not need the child to cooperate. It does not cause any discomfort
8. Caution: Forehead temperatures must be digital. Forehead strips are not accurate
How to Take a Temperature: Children and Adults
1. Under the armpit
2. In the mouth
3. In the ear
4. In the rectum
What Type of Thermometer Should I Use?
A digital thermometer is best for taking temperatures by the armpit and mouth. Fever strips and pacifier thermometers don’t give an accurate temperature. Do not use a mercury thermometer. Mercury is toxic and the thermometer could break.
Speak to a pharmacist if you’ve got any questions when buying a thermometer. A pharmacist can help you select the best type of thermometer for the method you choose to use.
Whichever sort of thermometer you employ, confirm to wash them with cool, soapy water and rinse before and after use.
How Should I Take a Child’s Temperature?
From birth to age 5, the foremost common thanks to taking a temperature is under the armpit. For children older than 2, temperatures also can be taken by ear or, if the kid is in a position to take a seat still long enough, by mouth.
The most accurate thanks to take a temperature is within the bum. See the section on the rectal method to find out how to safely take a rectal temperature.
Always wash your hands before and after taking your child’s temperature. For more information on handwashing, see Health Link BC File #85 Hand Washing:
Help Stop the Spread of Germs. Make sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions whenever you employ a special type or brand of thermometer.
Axillary Method
The armpit method is typically wont to check for fever in newborns and young children.
1. Place the tip of the thermometer in the center of the armpit
2. Tuck your child’s arm snugly against their body
3. Leave the thermometer in place for about 1 minute, until you hear the “beep”
4. Remove the thermometer and read the temperature
Oral Method
The mouth method is often used for youngsters who are older than 5 years aged. It is not recommended for youngsters younger than 5 years aged, because it’s hard for them to carry the thermometer under their tongue long enough.
1. Carefully place the tip of the thermometer under your child’s tongue
2. With your child’s mouth closed, leave the thermometer in place for about 1 minute until you hear the “beep”
3. Remove the thermometer and read the temperature
Tympanic Method
The ear method is suggested for youngsters older than 2 years old. Though quick to use, the ear method can produce incorrect temperature readings, even when the manufacturer’s directions are followed.
1. Use a clean probe tip each time, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully
2. Gently tug on the ear, pulling it back. This will help straighten the ear canal and make a clear path inside the ear to the eardrum
3. Gently insert the thermometer until the ear canal is fully sealed off
4. Squeeze and hold down the button for 1 second
5. Remove the thermometer and read the temperature
Rectal Method
The rectal method can be used to check for fevers in newborns and young children. Use a rectal thermometer as long as you’re comfortable doing so and a health care provider has shown you ways to try to do it safely.
1. Cover the silver tip with petroleum jelly
2. Place your baby on their back with their knees bent
3. Gently insert the thermometer in the rectum, about 2.5 cm, holding it in place with your fingers
4. Leave the thermometer in place for about 1 minute until you hear the “beep”
5. Remove the thermometer and read the temperature
For more detailed instructions on the way to take a temperature using the rectal method, speak to your health care provider.
After a thermometer has been wont to take a rectal temperature, don’t use it to require an oral temperature. Make sure that the rectal thermometer is marked so that it’s not used orally.
For example, you’ll label your rectal thermometer with an “R” and your oral thermometer with an “O”.
How should I take an adult’s temperature?
Take an adult’s temperature orally, within the ear, or under the armpit. The armpit method is a smaller amount accurate and is generally only used if the person is extremely drowsy or not clear mentally.
Follow an equivalent method used for taking a child’s temperature. How to Take Temperature Under Arm in general. Keep reading in detail.
What is a Normal Temperature?
A normal temperature is typically considered to be around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) when measured orally. However, it is important to note that there can be slight variations in temperature depending on the time of day, level of physical activity, and individual factors such as age, gender, and overall health.
Additionally, the definition of a “normal” temperature may vary depending on the context, such as whether it is being used for medical purposes or to determine safe cooking temperatures for food. It is always best to consult with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about your body temperature.
Temperatures may vary throughout the day, rising the maximum amount as 1 degree in the morning and reaching a maximum during the late afternoon.
Mild increases could also be caused by exercising, an excessive amount of clothing or bedding, taking a hot bath or being outside in the weather.
When a toddler is sick with an infection, it’s normal to possess a fever (temperature above 38ºC (100.4ºF)). A fever is a component of the traditional process of fighting an infection.
Usually, it goes away after 3 days. Thermometers aren’t always accurate so it’s important to be expecting other signs that your child could be ill.
What can I do if my child has a fever?
1. Offer plenty of fluids
2. Encourage your child to rest
3. Remove extra blankets or extra clothing as long as the child does not become too cold or shiver. Shivering can cause the body’s temperature to rise
4. Medicine to reduce a fever is not always needed
5. Sponge your child with lukewarm water. Alcohol baths or rubs are not recommended
When should I take my child to see a health care provider?
Call your health care provider if your child:
Has a fever for more than 3 days
Is not eating or drinking well
Is lethargic, excessively fussy, or irritable
Has fever and signs of another illness
Babies younger than 3 months aged must be seen by a health care provider once they have a fever. During the first 3 months of life, babies are not always able to fight infections, so they need to be seen sooner than older babies and children with fevers.
How to Take Temperature Under Arm in general. For babies 3 to six months the oldsters should speak with their health care provider.
(FAQs)
Q: What is the best way to take temperature under the arm?
A: To take temperature under the arm, first ensure that the thermometer is clean and in good working condition. Then, remove any clothing covering the underarm area. Place the thermometer in the center of the armpit and ensure that it makes good contact with the skin. Keep the thermometer in place for the recommended amount of time (usually 5-10 minutes) or until it beeps to signal that the reading is complete.
Q: What is the normal temperature range when taking temperature under the arm?
A: The normal temperature range when taking temperature under the arm is between 97.6°F and 99.6°F (36.5°C to 37.5°C).
Q: Is taking temperature under the arm an accurate method?
A: Taking temperature under the arm can be accurate if done correctly. However, it is generally considered to be less accurate than taking temperature orally or rectally.
Q: When should I consider taking my temperature under the arm?
A: You may consider taking your temperature under the arm if you do not have an oral thermometer or if you are uncomfortable with taking your temperature rectally.
Conclusion
Taking temperature under the arm is a commonly used method to measure body temperature. It is a simple and non-invasive procedure that can be done at home with the help of a thermometer. However, it is important to follow certain steps to ensure accurate results.
First, make sure the thermometer is clean and sanitized before use. Then, place the thermometer under the arm and hold the arm against the body to ensure a snug fit. Wait for the required amount of time, typically around 5-10 minutes, for the thermometer to register the temperature.
We also have a detailed review of Best Tympanic Thermometers in case you want to check that out! and other articles.
