A forehead thermometer comes in many different models and types, and all of them with features intended to make life a little easier when caring for a loved one or yourself when you might be under the weather. How to Use Forehead Thermometer in general. Keep reading!
Just this one simple device can give you peace of mind on your child’s health status, and allow you to track whether they might be getting better or worse, so you can seek out professional medical advice if so.
Types of How to Use Forehead Thermometer
As the technology becomes more commonplace, forehead thermometers are now more affordable than ever, and so what once was a high tech gadget only used by doctors and hospitals is available to the everyday household to monitor their family’s health.
If you’re thinking of the essential items for your medical supplies at home, there’s no way you can be without a quality forehead thermometer.
When Does Your Child Have a Fever?
Rectal, Forehead or Ear temperature: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher
Oral (mouth) temperature: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher
Under the arm (armpit) temperature: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher
Caution: Ear temperatures are not accurate before 6 months of age
Where to Take the Temperature
1. 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.
2. Age less than 3 months old (90 days old). An armpit temp is that 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 ascertain a doctor now. New research shows that forehead temps can also be accurate under 3 months aged.
3. 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.
4. Age 4 years and older.
5. Safe to take the temp orally (by mouth). Ear and forehead thermometers are also good.
6. 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.
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’ll not see the silver tip.
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 (about 10 seconds).
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.
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 (about 10 seconds). 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’ve got any doubt, take your child’s temp by rectum or forehead.
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 (about 10 seconds).
5. Your child has a fever if the temp is above 100° F (37.8° C).
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 (about 10 seconds).
3. Your child has a fever if the pacifier temp is above 100° F (37.8° C).
Ear Temperature: How to Take
1. Age: 6 months and older (not accurate before 6 months)
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.
Forehead (Temporal Artery) Temperature: How to use forehead thermometer
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. Stop when you reach the hairline.
6. Read your child’s temp on the display screen.
7. Note: some newer forehead thermometers don’t need to slide across the forehead. Follow the box directions on the way to take the temp.
8. Used in more doctor’s offices than any other thermometer.
9. 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.
10. Caution: Forehead temperatures must be digital. Forehead strips are not accurate.
A Final Note of How to Use Forehead Thermometer
The average normal body temperature is generally accepted as 98.6°F (37°C). Some studies have shown that the “normal” body temperature can have a wide range, from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C).
A temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) most often means you have a fever caused by an infection or illness.
Fever is usually a sign of illness, infection, or other conditions. The normal oral temperature for adults is about 98.6° F (37° C).
The normal oral temperature for a child is between 97.6° and 99.3° F (36.4° and 37.4° C). The normal oral temperature for older persons is 98.2° F (36.8° C).
