When planning the purchase of things for the birth of a baby, each expectant mother chooses a thermometer, because it must be present in every home where a small child lives. Among the variety of modern thermometers, the attention of many parents is attracted by the infrared thermometer. What is its peculiarity, how to measure the temperature with such a device and which infrared thermometer should be purchased for a child?
Kinds
There are such options for infrared thermometers on sale:
- Ear. It measures the temperature in the baby's ear canal. Many of these thermometers are also capable of measuring the temperature at the temple where the temporal artery passes.
- Frontal. This type of thermometer measures the radiation on your baby's forehead.
- Contactless. Such a device measures the temperature at a certain distance from the skin.
There is also a laser infrared thermometer, the main feature of which is the presence of a laser pointer aimed at the place of temperature determination.
Principle of operation
The work of all infrared thermometers is to measure the infrared radiation emanating from a specific surface, whether it be a child's body, water or the surface of an object. The sensitive element of the thermometer captures the radiation and shows the result on the display of the device.
The non-contact medical infrared thermometer measures temperature without touching the baby's body. This device is also called "pyrometer". Its work is based on the determination of the power of thermal radiation from the measured object. In this case, the device takes into account mainly infrared rays. The device transforms the received data into degrees, highlighting the result on the scoreboard.
Pros
- Ease of use. After reading the instructions for the device, any mother will quickly understand how the measurement is performed.
- Contactlessness. Many infrared thermometers are capable of measuring body temperature without touching it. This is very convenient if it is important to know the temperature of a sleeping baby without disturbing his sleep.
- The speed of obtaining the result. It takes just a few seconds to measure.
- The ability to measure temperature anywhere on the skin. This advantage is important for parents of very tiny toddlers who are protesting against standard places for determining body temperature.
- Safety for children. There is no glass or mercury in the infrared thermometer, so the baby cannot be hurt by it or poisoned by its contents.
- Compact dimensions. The device is convenient to take with you on a trip and store at home.
- The ability to determine the temperature of air, water, mixture and any surfaces that are sources of heat. To do this, you just need to select the appropriate mode.
- The device often contains additional functions, for example, storing the last temperature determination, indication of the battery charge, automatic shutdown, sound signal, screen backlight and others.
- The device is often packaged in a handy case and is battery operated.
Minuses
- The frontal and ear types of infrared thermometers should only be used where they are intended.
- Results measured with an infrared thermometer have errors of 0.1-1 degrees. For a more accurate measurement, the device should be adjusted using a conventional mercury thermometer. In addition, it is recommended to measure at the same location.
- Wait a little before measuring the temperature again. If you double-check the result before turning off the thermometer, the data will be incorrect.
- During the measurement, the child should not move, as any movement will affect the results. This also leads to inaccurate measurements if the baby is crying.
- The measurement results will be incorrect when the temperature changes, for example, if the child was only bathed or undressed after a walk. Wait 30 minutes before using the thermometer.
- Some ear thermometers are not suitable for measuring temperature in babies under one year old because of the large tip that does not fit in the baby's tiny ear.
- An ear thermometer for otitis media will show the wrong temperature.
- There is a risk of injury to the ear when using an ear thermometer.
- The ear thermometer requires the purchase of disposable pads.
- The cost of thermometers of this type is quite high.
How many seconds does it take?
Infrared thermometer measurements of the baby's body temperature are obtained in 1-5 seconds. In some models, temperature determination takes a little longer - up to 30 seconds.
Instructions for use
It is important that the thermometer is in the room where the temperature is measured for at least 15-30 minutes before the measurement. If the baby's body temperature is being measured, the baby should stay indoors for at least 10 minutes.
The product is used as follows:
- Turn on the device by pressing a button.
- Select the desired operating mode.
- To measure the temperature in the ear, remove the cap from the device, insert the thermometer sensor into the ear canal, press the measurement button once and wait for a sound signal. After removing the sensor from the ear, they look at the screen, where the temperature is displayed.
- To measure the temperature at the temple, a thermometer sensor is applied to the child's temple, press the measurement button once, and then smoothly move the thermometer in a circle in the temporal region or slowly move it towards the forehead. After the signal, the result displayed on the screen is evaluated.
- To measure the temperature in a non-contact way, the thermometer is brought to the body at a distance of 4-6 cm from its surface (most often to the child's forehead) or at another distance according to the instructions for the device. After pressing the measurement button, wait for a sound signal and evaluate the result on the display.
- Turn off the thermometer.
- If you want to perform a second measurement, you should wait 1 minute.
- Wipe the sensor of the device after use.
Rating
The most popular infrared thermometer models are:
- The WELL WF-1000 - a device that measures the temperature in the ear canal, as well as on the temples. The measurement result appears after 2-3 seconds. To change the mode, you need to remove or put on the cap. The device remembers the last measurement. In addition to body temperature, such a thermometer can measure the temperature of a liquid without immersion in it and the temperature of the air.
- Sensitec NF 3101 - a device that, without contact with the skin, measures the temperature in the temples or on the forehead at a distance of 5-15 cm from their surface. The device can also determine the temperature of liquids, air and various surfaces. The device memorizes 32 measurements and automatically saves the data. The thermometer, together with two batteries, weighs only 200 grams, and the temperature is measured by this device in one second.
- MEDISANA FTN - a popular infrared thermometer that measures the temperature in 2 seconds at 5 cm from the forehead of the child. It attracts attention with its comfortable ergonomic shape. The device is capable of memorizing 30 measurements, emits a warning signal when a fever is detected, and can also measure the temperature of liquids, objects and air.
- Testo 830-T2 - thermometer equipped with a two-point laser pointer. The device is capable of measuring temperature in the range from -50 ° C to + 50 ° C with an error of no more than 0.5 ° C and weighs only 200 grams. The measurement result appears on the display in one second.
- LAICA SA5900 - a non-contact thermometer with a large LCD display that measures the temperature from a distance of 3-5 cm from the temple area. At the end of the measurement, the device beeps and switches off automatically. The device stores 32 last measurements.
- Omron Gentle Temp 510 - an ear thermometer that can instantly measure the temperature in 1 second or take a measurement for 10 seconds in a baby to eliminate misalignment in the baby's ear. The thermometer is easy to operate with one button. The device comes with 10 replaceable caps and a storage case.
- Garin IT-1 - infrared thermometer to determine the temperature of the body or the air in the room in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. This non-contact thermometer with a comfortable handle remembers the last measurement, gives the result after 2 seconds, notifies about the end of the measurement with a sound, and also signals at an elevated body temperature.
- Thermoval Duo Scan - a high-precision thermometer with an ergonomic design that allows you to measure the temperature on the forehead in 3 seconds and in the ear canal in 1 second. The device emits a long signal at the end of the measurement, remembers the last result, automatically turns off after a minute and is controlled by only two buttons.
Which one is better to choose?
The range of infrared thermometers is quite extensive, so when choosing a suitable device, you should consider:
- Child's age. For newborns, a non-contact thermometer is considered the best choice, and for children over a year old, you can purchase both an ear and a frontal thermometer.
- Manufacturing firm. It is better to prefer firms that have been producing similar devices for a long time. Having bought a low-quality device from a little-known company, you may receive incorrect data when using it (the error will exceed 1 degree).
- Purchase budget. In the price range of infrared thermometers, it is worth choosing a model that will not hit the family budget. At the same time, you need to understand that cheap thermometers can be low quality devices that incorrectly show body temperature and quickly fail.
- Availability of a guarantee. It is best to buy a thermometer in a specialized store or pharmacy, specifying whether there is a warranty service. You should also definitely check upon purchase whether the device works.
It is also important to pay attention to the reviews of mothers who have long been successfully using infrared thermometers. You can also consult your healthcare professional regarding the best model.
Reviews
In most cases, parents who purchased and used infrared thermometers were satisfied with such devices. Among the advantages of infrared thermometers, mothers are mainly called ease of use and quick temperature measurement, which is very important when a baby is sick.
As for the disadvantages, most often, among the problems with the use of such thermometers, some measurement error is noted, and the main disadvantage is the rather high cost of the device.
You can learn more about some of the features of infrared thermometers and how to choose the right device by watching the following video.
