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Why a no-touch thermometer is a must-have for all parents

NewFolks
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Are you the proud parent of a new baby? Keeping track of your child’s temperature is an important task you’ll have to do often when they are sick. Thermometers are a must in every baby’s first aid kit. Once they reach about 3 months of age, you can use a no-touch thermometer, or a temporal thermometer, on them, which is usually swept across the forehead to get a reading. This type of thermometer is arguably the best for a parent to purchase. Let’s explore a few reasons why.

They are intuitive

Arguably, no-touch thermometers are the easiest type of thermometer to use correctly. Digital thermometers might have to be left in place for a few minutes before giving a reading, or necessitate that a disposable liner is affixed over its probe. Forehead thermometers have no such requirements, as they measure temperature almost instantly after being moved across the forehead. These devices detect the temperature in the temporal artery of the forehead by being swiped across it slightly above the skin, hence their name. With the use of a no-touch thermometer, you can rest assured that you are utilizing the gadget correctly. A temporal thermometer is nearly instinctive to master the operation of, and is a great investment when it comes to a thermometer for the family.

no contact thermometer
ArtShotPhoto/Shutterstock

You don’t have to wake a sleeping baby to use one

When you measure a baby’s temperature rectally, you are likely to have to disturb a napping baby in order to get an accurate reading. This can be especially frustrating if you are trying to keep track of the health of a sick baby who is difficult to pacify. Even if a digital thermometer is used elsewhere on the body, such as under the armpit, its cold metal tip might upset an otherwise peaceful baby. If you opt for a no-touch thermometer instead of a digital thermometer, these problems become obsolete. While digital thermometers have electronic heat sensors, temporal thermometers use infrared technology to detect temperatures, which means that they don’t have to make contact with skin to give a reading! This type of thermometer is perfect for using on any baby older than 3 months, regardless of whether or not they are awake.

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They are very accurate

Compared with the other varieties of thermometers, it is hard to interfere with getting a correct temperature value from a temporal thermometer. Regular digital thermometers require their potentially uncomfortable insertion into the rectum or that the mouth stay closed long enough in order to get an accurate reading. Furthermore, oral temperatures can only be measured following 15 minutes of waiting after eating or drinking. Digital thermometers for ears might be imprecise in the presence of earwax or an oddly shaped ear canal. Research on pacifier thermometers has found that they are generally not very accurate. No-touch forehead thermometers, however, quickly record a temperature well within its true value. Though typically recommended for those ages 3 months and up, new research has revealed that temporal thermometers may indeed be suitable for reading newborns’ temperatures. Other research has shown that the best alternative to rectal thermometers for babies, in terms of accuracy, are no-touch thermometers. And forehead thermometers give correct readings for those beyond the infant stage, too — they work for the whole family!

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You don’t need to stay still long to use one

Having trouble getting your baby to sit still long enough to give time for a traditional thermometer to work? In contrast to the minutes of waiting involved with using a digital or pacifier thermometer, temporal thermometers give readings quickly and without hassle. If you have a little one who is often fussy or on the move, you have all the more reason to purchase a no-touch thermometer. Simply place the forehead thermometer just above the skin and move across the head to get an accurate temperature. Temporal thermometers give a reading in seconds. This makes them great for use on active children and babies.

no contact thermometer
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They are typically high-quality gadgets

If you’ve browsed through the types of thermometers available for sale, you’ve probably noticed that no-touch thermometers cost a bit more than other varieties. Their price tag is well worth it, however — besides, for the reasons already mentioned, forehead thermometers are generally of higher quality than your average digital thermometer. Digital thermometers are often sold as a cheap part of a health and safety kit, while you are destined to have to purchase a temporal thermometer on its own. This might seem like a drawback, but keep in mind the lack in convenience is made up for with the accuracy of readings given by a no-touch thermometer. Further unlike their digital cousins, forehead thermometers’ higher price points come with greater durability. An ordinary digital thermometer is bound to fall apart from general wear and tear, while a temporal thermometer can be used to its full potential for years to come.

You can buy one that is compatible with your smartphone

In the modern day, it is increasingly more normal that our household products have digital connections. Most of us have heard of lightbulbs whose hue can be changed at the press of a button, but did you know that smart thermometers exist? These handy devices are usually Bluetooth-enabled and have corresponding phone applications that sometimes do much more than just display temperatures. For example, some apps keep track of the temperatures of different family members over time. Others warn you if the value they measure is outside of a safe range. Most smart thermometers can be synced to work with multiple phones, so all parental figures or even the babysitter can see and record statistics.

No-touch thermometers are all the rage, and for good reason. These user-friendly, well-built products are one of the best items a parent can have in their health and safety arsenal. Useful for babies and older children alike, as well as the rest of the family, temporal thermometers are suitable across generations. Easy to use and noninvasive, this type of thermometer is well worth your money.

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