Children need love and attention, more so when they are unwell. As parents, you will always be there with your little one, but you also need some tools at your disposal to stay a step ahead and get immediate medical assistance at the earliest.

So, what do you normally keep in your first-aid box– cotton, gauze, bandages, some OTC medication? Do you keep a thermometer also?

Preschool teachers observed that many parents miss this important instrument that comes in handy when they need to track their child’s fever. A thermometer is one of the most important tools you should keep in your medical box. So, buying a good thermometer for that matter is also important.

But which type of thermometer you should buy?

There are varieties types of thermometers available in the market and this blog post will help you to buy the right one.

Types of Thermometers You should Know AboutBefore Buying One

Did you know that patients had to hold foot-long thermometers for about 20 minutes to measure their body temperature before a portable, six-inch version was invented in 1867? Since then, the thermometer shave gone through a lot of modifications to suit the present requirements.

Mercury Thermometer – These are the most traditional thermometers but they are not much in use for the risks they carry. These thermometers are made up of glass which can break easily. Moreover, mercury itself is a toxic element. Hence, this is not ideal for domestic purposes.

Strip Thermometer – Strip thermometers are used to take the body temperature by placing one on the forehead for a few minutes. Though these are quite easy to use and portable, they do not show accurate body temperatures. Hence, most of the doctors in South Pasadena, CA do not encourage parents to buy this type of thermometers.

Digital Thermometer –These types of thermometers show almost accurate readings in a matter of 2/3 minutes. They are used for recording armpit, oral, or rectal temperatures. As parents you should know that armpit temperatures tend to be less accurate, oral temperatures depend on several factors and tend to fluctuate, whereas recording rectal temperatures are very problematic. Though these are widely used, not suitable for small children as they will not allow you to place the thermometer properly.

Ear Thermometer – As the name suggests, these thermometers are used to read the temperature inside the ear canal. You can use these for kids also and when placed properly, they give nearly accurate readings. But please remember that ear wax or the natural curves inside the ear could also affect the accuracy of the readings.

Temporal Artery Thermometer – According to the Preschool teachers, temporal artery thermometers are ideal to measure children’s body temperatures. They show accurate readings without causing much discomfort to the patient. These thermometers function on infrared scanners and measures the temperature of the blood of the temporal artery, which is positioned 2mm under the skin of the forehead, in just 3 seconds. Therefore the readings of the core temperatures are extremely accurate and quick.