10 Thermometer Tactics: The Key to Spot-On Temperature Readings

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, taking our body temperature has become a familiar routine. More households are investing in thermometers, but misusing them can lead to inaccurate fever detection, rendering them pointless. We’ve delved into the types of thermometers suitable for home use, how to use them, and what to be aware of when measuring body temperature.

Precautions Before Measurement

For a more accurate reading, it is recommended to take your temperature at least twice. Before measuring, check the condition of the temperature sensor and ensure it is clean. Particularly with ear infrared thermometers, hygiene is vital, so always replace the measurement cover with one of the same type. If the battery is low, the measurement can be inaccurate, so checking the battery status regularly is a good idea.

Skin Infrared Thermometer

This non-contact thermometer uses an infrared sensor to measure the surface temperature of areas like the forehead or temples. For an accurate reading, you should measure from an appropriate distance from the area, ensuring that sweat or moisture is wiped off and hair is not obstructing the area. If the skin is sweaty or moist, the evaporation of the moisture can lower the body temperature reading, so it is crucial to measure dry skin.

Ear Thermometer

The ear thermometer is a contact thermometer that measures the temperature inside the ear using an infrared sensor. When measuring, slightly pull the ear to straighten the earhole so that the thermometer and the eardrum are in a straight line. The body temperature may be mismeasured if the thermometer is aimed at the ear wall instead of the eardrum. Removing foreign substances like earwax can help ensure an accurate measurement, so cleaning the ear with a cotton swab before measuring is a good idea.

Digital Thermometer

This contact thermometer measures body temperature in the armpit, mouth, or anus using temperature changes in a heat-sensitive semiconductor. Place it under the tongue when measuring in the mouth and close it. When measuring in the armpit, wipe off any sweat before measurement, place it in the deep part of the armpit, and press your arm against your body to measure.

Check for Medical Device Certification

Most recently released thermometers operate electronically, so they should be handled carefully to avoid shocks and falls. They should also be stored where they won’t get wet. When purchasing a thermometer, it’s a good idea to check if it has been approved as a medical device.

Pulling the Ear for Accurate Measurement

The most accurate body temperature is obtained by inserting a mercury thermometer into the anus. Still, these are not commonly used at home due to the risk of breakage and exposure to mercury. Widely used home thermometers include tympanic (ear) thermometers, infrared forehead thermometers, and non-contact thermometers. Especially when using an ear thermometer, as mentioned earlier, you should pull the ear slightly upward to straighten the external ear canal, then measure for relatively accurate results. If the child is under 3, you should pull the ear slightly downward to straighten the external ear canal.

Normal Body Temperature Range by Age

Under one year old, 37.5°C (99.5°F) is normal; as age increases, average body temperature tends to decrease. Once over seven years old, it’s similar to adults, with an average range between 36.6-37°C (97.9°F and 98.6°F). For those over 70 years old, 96.8°F is the average normal body temperature. Also, the normal body temperature range can vary slightly depending on where it’s measured: the anus is 36.2-37.7°C (97.2-99.9°F), the mouth is 35.7-37.7°C (96.3-99.1°F), and the armpit is 35.2-36.7°C (95.4-98°F).

Proper Measurement Methods

Infrared thermometers measure body temperature by detecting the infrared wavelength emitted from the eardrum with an infrared sensor. If the measurement filter is disposable, it must be replaced with a new one each time. Avoid use if the ear is wet, as it can cause injury. If you’re using a mercury thermometer, it can be dangerous if the thermometer breaks and the mercury is absorbed into the body, so it should be stored out of reach of children.

Pause When Fidgeting

When taking your temperature, it’s best to measure it in a stable state about 20-30 minutes after moving from the outside to indoors. When measuring a toddler’s temperature, if the child moves a lot, the distance between the skin and the sensor may not remain consistent, which can cause measurement errors. It would be best to calm the child down to get an accurate body temperature.

How to Maintain a Proper Body Temperature

The healthy temperature for the human body is known to be 36.5°C (97.7°F). Even if the body temperature rises or falls by only 1°C (1.8°F), our bodies show symptoms of abnormality. Maintaining a proper body temperature is essential to manage your daily lifestyle habits. Even if the external environment changes or you get sick, if your ability to regulate body temperature is excellent, you can quickly return to normal. Regular strength and cardio exercises to build muscle are recommended. Since 70% of muscles are concentrated in the lower body, focusing on lower-body exercises is incredibly beneficial.

By. Shin Young Jeon