Armpit temperature how long

After a thermometer has been used to take a rectal temperature, do not use it to take an oral temperature. Make sure that the rectal thermometer is clearly marked so that it is not used orally. The armpit method is less accurate and is normally only used if the person is extremely drowsy or not clear mentally.

Temperatures may vary throughout the day, rising as much as 1 degree in the morning and reaching a maximum during the late afternoon. Mild increases may be caused by exercising, too much clothing or bedding, taking a hot bath or being outside in hot weather. A fever is part of the normal process of fighting an infection. Usually, it goes away after 3 days. Thermometers are not always accurate so it is important to be watching for other signs that your child might be ill.

A fever with other symptoms may mean a more serious illness. Babies younger than 3 months of age must be seen by a health care provider when they have a fever. During the first 3 months of life, babies are not always able to fight infections, so they need to be seen sooner than older babies and children with fevers. Skip to main content. Last Updated:. August Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.

If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. First aid Fever: First aid. Sections Basics In-Depth Resources. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Both of these issues require immediate medical attention. Using underarm temperature is a safe and effective way to monitor body temperature, especially in younger children.

Prompt treatment of a high fever and its causes can reduce the risks of fever symptoms and possible complications. A fever is the body's way of battling an illness. Here's how to tell if you have a fever, plus what you should do and when you should seek help.

Although the average body temperature is A viral fever is an uncomfortable symptom of many viral illnesses. Knowing you need an ostomy bag can be overwhelming. Educating yourself about different appliance types can help you make the best decision. A home remedy for congestion is steam inhalation, where you breathe in water vapor. We reviewed the Vicks Portable Steam Inhaler. There are a ton of options for compression gloves out there, and most have additional features that you might want to consider.

Learn more. There are three main types of crutches. The best type for you will depend on why you need crutches and your overall health. Air purifiers can help clean the air in your home from unwanted particles, such as pet dander, allergens, and smoke. We'll discuss what to consider. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How to Measure an Underarm Axillary Temperature. But there are four other ways to take body temperature, and these involve different body parts: ear tympanic forehead anus rectal under the armpit axillary Ear, oral, and rectal temperatures are considered the most accurate readings of actual body temperature.

These temperatures can be as much as a full degree lower than oral body temperature. How to check underarm temperature. Other thermometers to measure temperature. Measuring method Fever Ear Other signs of a fever.