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How to Choose an Ideal Thermometer?

Pick the Right Type for Your Needs

We all are used to thermometers and familiar with their basic usage. While there are good old mercury glass thermometers used as the conventional tools in some houses, technological advancement now offer advanced thermometers with different features and essentials you require for accurate temperature readings. Essentially, thermometers are of 5 types – Oral, rectal, forehead, tympanic (ear) and axillary (underarm). Whichever thermometer you choose will depend on your preference and the user’s age. For instance, for an infant a forehead or ear thermometer will be best suited as babies can be difficult to handle and aren’t comfortable with invasive methods like rectal or oral temperature process.

In terms of the kinds of thermometers available, the mercury glass thermometers are now obsolete and can be difficult to read. Digital thermometers are quite the norm these days with digital displays and user friendly features, while infrared thermometers use the infrared technology to gauge heat on the cavity/surface, generating results in just a few seconds. Then, there are basal thermometers which are used specifically to gauge slight temperature changes in a woman’s body, monitoring her ovulation cycle.

Check out its Features

With a tide of thermometers to choose from, you can pick your choice basis the essential features each should have, the first being 'convenience'. Choose a thermometer which is easy to use, if it is meant for a senior citizen. It should be easy to handle and arrive at readings loud and clear. Next, a thermometer should be accurate when dealing with body temperatures. A wrong reading can be potentially dangerous and hence a thermometer that’s tested clinically and guarantees accuracy is the one to choose.

Pick thermometers that deliver readings quickly and offer readings in a dual mode that measures both Celsius and Fahrenheit. Avoid using mercury glass thermometers which are known to be brittle and hazardous, a good thermometer should be sturdy, safe to use and packaged in a plastic case.

Look for Distinct Measuring Points

Measurement for each point has its pros and cons and a patient’s temperature can be taken by forehead, ear, rectally or orally. For rectal measurement, a thermometer’s inserted into the rectum and it's usually done for infants or very young children. While this is one way of accurately measuring a baby’s central body temperature, it can be quite uncomfortable. For oral measurement, the thermometer is placed under the user’s tongue and the mouth is close, while the user continues breathing through the nose. This way of measurement’s apt for adults but is comparatively less precise than the rectal measurement. It stands reliable only to the extent that a user’s mouth is closed and the temperature’s taken 15 minutes before or after eating/drinking anything.

In the forehead measurement point, temperature’s taken with a non-contact electronic infrared thermometer or through a strip that’s placed on the user’s forehead directly. And this is a quick and easy method to use without causing any discomfort to the user, but then again, the measurement is less precise as compared to temperature taken by ear or rectally. Taking temperature by ear involves inserting the probe into the ear canal with disposable tips. Even though this technique’s reliable but buildup of earwax can hamper the results and there’s always a risk of damaging the user’s ear if instructions aren’t followed carefully. In the underarm technique, the thermometer is placed under the user’s armpit with the arm back against the user’s body, but it is unreliable and not precise owing to the air that can pass under the armpit.

Best Digital Thermometer for Home Use in India

Kinsa QuickCare Smart Thermometer

Source www.ubuy.co.in

Kinsa QuickCare Smart Thermometer is one the first FDA cleared app-enabled thermometer that features 1-second temperature reading accurately and offers a free app with real-time expert medical guidance. With a large and bright display, Kinsa QuickCare Smart Thermometer has easy to read icons and can be used with or without your smartphone. It has a free app track that retains all symptoms and medication for the entire family on your smartphone to be shared with a caregiver or Doctor for real-time medical advice. Kinsa QuickCare Smart Thermometer has been designed ergonomically with a simple 1-button interface, measuring 5.75" L x 8" W x 2" D and is ideal for sleeping babies, toddlers or even adults. Priced at Rs.3,292 on ubuy.co.in, you can use Kinsa QuickCare Smart Thermometer orally, under the arm or rectally.

iProven Thermometer

Source www.amazon.in

Extremely reliable and consistent, the iProven Thermometer gives results in a few seconds owing to its advanced algorithm and thanks to its waterproof & flexible tip, you can clean and disinfect the thermometer, using it for the whole family with ease. iProven Thermometer is a trusted tool by most medical professionals and has been clinically tested as a secure solution for any age group. You can keep two separate thermometer’s for your baby and the family, one for oral use and another for rectal use for hygiene reasons. iProven Thermometer is priced at Rs.5,999 on Amazon and has 2 functionalities, it is apt for both ear and forehead functions.

Rossmax TG380 Flexi Tip Thermometer

Source www.moglix.com

Specially designed for easy usage at home or in the hospital, Rossmax TG380 Flexi Tip Thermometer is one of the most common thermometers used for maximum accuracy in readings. An essential feature of it being self-diagnosis, Rossmax TG380 Flexi Tip Thermometer can sense any abnormality in its functioning and correct it in no time. Rossmax TG380 Flexi Tip Thermometer is also waterproof and comes with a soft and flexible tip for placing it smoothly inside the mouth. It has a fever alarm which alerts quickly a user about the fever and simply takes about 10 seconds to measure a reading. Enabled with an auto-off feature, Rossmax TG380 Flexi Tip Thermometer is priced at Rs.304 and comes with a 5 year warranty on moglix.com

Dr.Trust (USA) Clinical Digital I-Check

Source www.flipkart.com

One of the most trusted brands in the country, Dr.Trust (USA) Clinical Digital I-Check is packed with some essential and useful features like a dual mode for both people and objects. It has been clinically tested to deliver accurate readings and is enabled with a fever alarm and a buzzer. With a backlit colour display for temperature density, Dr.Trust (USA) Clinical Digital I-Check thermometer offers a maximum of 30 recent readings in the memory storage space. Priced at Rs.2,499 on Flipkart, Dr.Trust (USA) Clinical Digital I-Check Thermometer first scans the body, captures a reading and then ultimately synthesises the reading for an accurate result. It can measure temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.

Omron MC 720

Source www.croma.com

Thanks to its revolutionised calibration technology the Omron MC 720 forehead and ear thermometer has been tested clinically for accurate readings and is a one-stop solution for all your temperature measurements. Omron MC 720 forehead and ear thermometer can be used in a dual mode for all age groups and has to be held for 3 seconds to get an accurate and desired temperature reading. Trusted by most medical professionals, Omron MC 720 forehead and ear thermometer is super easy to use and is priced at Rs.2,379 on Croma. It comes with an auto-off feature, selectable degree in Celsius or Fahrenheit, silent mode and backlight.

Elepho eTherm Infrared

Source www.ubuy.co.in

The Elepho eTherm Infrared Thermometer comes with an ultra-accurate reading feature at just a touch to the forehead in just a second. In addition to the non-invasive forehead functionality, the Elepho eTherm Infrared thermometer can also take your inner ear temperature so you’re free to choose the setting of your choice. It comes with pre-loaded batteries and is suitable for infants, toddlers, kids and adults alike. Priced at Rs.3,110 on ubuy.co.in, Elepho eTherm Infrared thermometer has been designed ergonomically, comes with a large, clear LED display and a beeper, measures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit and can be read clearly, even in the dark.

Braun No Touch Thermometer

Source www.desertcart.in

Braun No Touch Thermometer comes with a no-touch option for a super-simple usage with its non-invasive technology reading. Apt for reading temperatures for babies, toddlers, kids or adults, you can take a reading up to 2” away. Its digital display confirms correct positioning and the back-lit, colour coded temperature display makes Braun No Touch Thermometer a quick and easy option to consider. Priced at Rs.7,849 on desertcart.in, Braun No Touch Thermometer delivers accurate readings and is considered one of the most reliable brands by pediatricians and other medical professionals.

Dr.Morepen Digiflexi Flexi Tip Thermometer (MT222)

Source www.flipkart.com

Suitable for users of all age groups, Dr.Morepen Digiflexi Flexi Tip Thermometer (MT222) is convenient to use and read from thanks to its big LCD screen. It measures and records accurate temperature readings in just a few seconds and features a fever alarm along with a beeper alert that indicates a high body temperature in the most optimum way. Dr.Morepen Digiflexi Flexi Tip Thermometer (MT222) also indicates low battery with a beep. With an auto-off features in 30 minutes, Dr.Morepen Digiflexi Flexi Tip Thermometer (MT222) comes with a 6 months warranty against manufacturing defects. Dr.Morepen Digiflexi Flexi Tip Thermometer (MT222) is priced at Rs.240 on Flipkart.

Toshiba Clinical Digital Thermometer

Source www.ideakart.com

Used to measure the lowest body temperature while resting or before any physical activity, Toshiba Clinical Digital Thermometer keeps a regular check on any user’s physical health parameters. Other than measuring the body temperature, Toshiba Clinical Digital Thermometer can also help predict ovulation cycles, measuring all the associated factors as well as the next date of the next cycle. Toshiba Clinical Digital Thermometer can also keep a check on the fertile and non-fertile days and be trusted to monitor the early stages of a pregnancy without any bother. Priced at Rs.2,999 on ideakart.com, Toshiba Clinical Digital Thermometer takes only 40 seconds to give an accurate reading.

Agaro DT-555 Digital Thermometer

Source www.nykaa.com

Renowned for its professionally accurate readings for oral, underarm or rectal temperature, Agaro DT-555 Digital Thermometer is both unbreakable and water resistant, designed with an auto-off feature. Enabled with a beep alert for maximum convenience, Agaro DT-555 Digital Thermometer is the perfect choice for accurate body temperature measurements. 100% safe, this thermometer also features a fever alarm and is also clinically certified. Priced at Rs.155 on Nykaa, Agaro DT-555 Digital Thermometer also comes with a memory function that recalls the last identified temperature.

Bonus Tips: Getting the Most Accurate Reading and Quick Tips for Checking Fever

Usually the body temperature fluctuates during the day, but typically for an adult if the temperature’s above 100.4°F then it’s a fever. Fever’s the body’s way of combating illness and even though it is possible to get a fever without any known causes, usually it is brought on by a bacterial or viral infection. Here are some quick tips on how to check for fever, the usual temperature range that tell you if you have fever or not (in children and adults differently).

  • Temperature Range: The usual body temperature is at 98.6F, however, there are other range of body temperatures that are influenced by factors like age, height, weight, sex or even time. In the normal range at the lower end ideally the temperature should be 97°F and 99°F at the higher end, in case of low grade fever, temperature at the lower end’s usually 98.6°F and 100.3°F on the higher side. When the patient has fever, at the lower end, temperature’s usually 100.4°F and at the higher end, 103°F.

  • Time to Take Medical Advice: Not all fevers require treatment. With some over-the-counter fever medications, you can get well in no time. However, there are other symptoms and certain temperatures that require medical assistance and attention. For instance, if a 3 month old infant has 100.4°F temperature or a child at any age has repeated fevers over 104°F, or if a child under 2 years has a fever of 100.4°F that’s been around more than 24 hours, then you should get to a doctor immediately. In the case of adults, see a doctor, if over 103°F doesn’t drop down 2 hours after taking a medicine for fever or it lasts more than 2 days or if the patient’s temperature is in the high range, accompanied by a rash, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, dehydration, or seizure. Fever over 105°F is a life threatening emergency.

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Set a Budget Before Purchase

Some of the thermometers on the list are on the higher end and may not fit your budget. So it is advisable that you first decide what kind of thermometer you want and then set a budget accordingly. Some of the features on the high-end thermometers may be unnecessary in your context, so it makes sense to pick one that fits your budget as well as purpose. Stay healthy!