Why Temporal Artery Is The Ideal Method for Children

Temporal artery thermometers are digital thermometers that scan the surface of the forehead.

One advantage to using temporal artery thermometers is that they are non-invasive, which causes less discomfort than other methods. A non-invasive forehead scan thermometer makes it easy to take your infant's temperature without disturbing them from sleeping. The last thing a parent wants is to wake up a tired and cranky child!

Another advantage of the temporal artery method is accuracy. Temporal thermometers scan the forehead area, measuring the temperature of the blood flowing through the temporal artery on the forehead. Standard digital thermometers are inexpensive and used under the tongue, in the armpit, or inserted rectally - however, these are inaccurate methods because they don't measure internal body temperature.

Comparing Temporal vs. Infrared No-Touch Thermometers for Children

When it comes to accuracy, not all forehead thermometers are the same. There is a noticeable difference in the reliability of infrared no-touch and temporal artery thermometers.

While temporal artery thermometers and infrared no-touch thermometers are both non-invasive methods to measure body temperature, they are not the same in terms of accuracy or reliability of a child’s body temperature.

No-touch thermometers are less accurate because they measure the temperature on the skin surface rather than measure core body temperature. The temporal artery method scans the temporal artery that measures the temperature of the blood flowing through the temporal artery, on the forehead.

There are several studies supporting the accuracy and reliability of temporal thermometers.

Taking Your Children Temperature Using a Temporal Thermometer

Follow the steps below to accurately take the temperature of your children: 

• Place the thermometer sensor in the middle of the child’s forehead.
• Press and hold the scan button on the thermometer.
• Slowly move the thermometer across the forehead, scanning toward the temporal artery, the top of the ear. The probe should always be touching your child’s forehead.
• Stop at the hairline and release the scan button.
• Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.

A reading of 100.4°F (38°C) or above means your child has a fever. If the reading comes back 104°F (40°C), we recommend calling your primary care provider. 

Introducing Exergen Temporal Thermometer

Exergen’s temporal artery thermometers are great for measuring the temperature of toddlers, elementary school-age children, and teens.

Protect the health of your child using Exergen’s TAT-2000C model designed for at-home use. With a simple scan of the forehead, you get accurate body temperature measurements. The TAT-2000C provides a highly accurate thermometer to take the temperature of your toddler or child with quick and reliable readings. Used and trusted by thousands of families.

In addition, the TAT-2000 model is a thermometer for school nurses to use for children that are sick at school. So, if your child comes down with a fever in class, you’ll have comfort as a parent knowing the school nurse has the Exergen TAT-2000 to get quick and accurate readings before they call a parent or guardian.