Choosing the best thermometer for the whole family can sometimes be difficult due to various factors. So here's what you need to know about most of the basic device data types.
Digital medical thermometer
Digital technology has already penetrated all areas, including, of course, medicine. A simple digital medical thermometer has a thermal sensor to detect body temperature, and to measure it, it must be placed in the mouth, armpit or rectum. To accurately determine the temperature of a child's body using a digital "thermometer", it must be used rectally or orally. The rectal method is most effective for both infants and children under 3 years of age. For adults and older children, the oral method is also accurate (if the mouth is constantly closed while taking readings from the "thermometer"). In the axillary region, the temperature is determined less accurately. So:
- Pros. A simple electronic medical thermometer can record the temperature by oral, rectalor axillary method in less than a minute. It is suitable for newborns, infants, children and adults.
- Cons. In the case of infants, taking rectal temperature is not always convenient. With a runny nose, it is difficult to keep your mouth closed all the time. If the temperature is taken both orally and rectally, then using the same one is unhygienic.
Digital Medical Ear Thermometer
These devices are also convenient. The ear medical thermometer also has the name "tympanic" (from the eardrum). It uses infrared rays to detect the temperature in the ear canal. So:
- Pros. When properly positioned, ear thermometers are fast and accurate. Suitable for babies over 6 months, older children and adults.
- Cons. The ear medical thermometer is not recommended for newborns. Earwax, small and wiggly ear canals can interfere with readings.
Digital Medical Pacifier Thermometer
If your baby sucks on a pacifier, then you can use this type of thermometer. Your baby will just do what he loves while the device detects his body temperature. So:
- Pros. The child will not even understand that at the moment his body temperature is being measured.
- Cons. The medical teat thermometer is not recommended for newborns. Because for accurate temperature measurement, the nipple must besome time in the mouth (from 3 to 5 minutes). This is difficult for many young children, especially those with a runny nose. A large number of studies have not provided evidence that such thermometers measure temperature accurately.
Everyone also knows the old mercury thermometers. However, today there are not so many of them left, because they are gradually being replaced by electronic species. These glass thermometers are hazardous due to the presence of mercury. But they can be used to measure the temperature of liquids, while no electronic water thermometer is suitable.
