How long does it take to keep a thermometer under your arm

How long do you need to keep a thermometer under your arm? The answer to this question depends on many factors: the type of thermometer, what time of day the measurements take place, etc. Let's look at all the details together.

Which thermometer is suitable for measuring the temperature in the armpit?

The temperature in the armpit is measured in order to identify its deviation from the normal for the body. Increased body temperature may indicate the presence of an infection, a viral disease, the onset of an inflammatory process in the body, and a number of other conditions.

The normal temperature varies between 35.6 and 36.7 ° Celsius and varies slightly depending on the time of day and physical activity of the person. To measure the temperature developed several types of thermometers. From what device you choose, will depend on how much time to keep a thermometer under the arm, as well as the accuracy of measurements.

The digital thermometer is considered the fastest and most reliable. This is a small hand-held device with a “window” where body temperature data is displayed. Most electronic thermometers are equipped with virtual memory and can capture data from several measurements. There are many types of digital thermometers in the pharmacy. All are easy to use and measure temperature in less than a minute.

Glass thermometers with blue and red alcohol solutions inside also do an excellent job of measuring body temperature. In scientific and medical circles, such a device is called Galinstan. The advantage of this thermometer is that the components inside it are non-toxic, and also meet all standards and requirements.

How many minutes it is necessary to keep a galinstanovy thermometer under the arm, in most cases depends on the patient's age. So, for adults it will show the correct temperature after 8 minutes, and the thermometer for children should be kept for about 10 minutes.

A kind of echo from the past today is the usual mercury thermometer. Such a thermometer is a thin glass tube with a silver filler inside. This gray matter is nothing but toxic and dangerous for the human body mercury. The design itself is very flimsy, and with strong shaking or improper handling, the thermometer can easily burst, and mercury can get on the skin. Hold the mercury thermometer under the arm for about 10 minutes.

Modern liquid crystal indicators can be used to measure the temperature not only in the armpits, but also orally. Despite all the modernity of technology, a significant drawback of the device is that it is not recommended for children under one year of age. The thermometer is issued in the form of a disposable thermal strip and shows accurate measurement results in 5-6 minutes.

Each thermometer has its advantages and disadvantages. If the measurement time does not play a decisive role, then glass thermometers are quite suitable for home use. But for young patients, many pediatricians recommend acquiring accurate and fast electronic devices. They are safer compared to other analogues, but cost a little more.

If you need to quickly find out the body temperature while on the road, then it is best to use liquid crystal stripes. They are very compact and will not take up much space even in your pocket.

How to use a glass thermometer?

After we figured out how much time you need to keep a thermometer under your arm, it's time to go to the general rules. The accuracy of measuring body temperature depends on how well you observe them:

1. Remove the thermometer from the plastic holder.
2. Take the device by the edge opposite to the colored or silver tip.
3. Clean the tip and the surrounding area with alcohol or warm soapy water.
4. The color bar on the scale should be below 35.6 degrees Celsius. If the indicator shows a larger value, gently vigorously shake the thermometer several times. This is best done over the sofa or bed. This action will save the thermometer from destruction if it accidentally slips out of your hand.
5. Gently pat your armpits with a paper towel.
6. Place the tip in the armpit and gently press down with your hand.
7. Hold a thermometer under your arm for up to 10 minutes depending on the type of instrument.
8. Then gently remove the device from the armpit, wipe the tip and see the results on the scale.
9. Record the time and temperature of the thermometer, as this data may be needed by a doctor.

To preserve the instrument, keep it in a tight case away from the hands and eyes of young children. In addition, before using a thermometer, it must be thoroughly cleaned with alcohol or warm soapy water to kill harmful bacteria.