Thursday, March 11, 2010

Exergen Thermometer – Mama Buzz Review

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This is my first review I have done for anything other than homeschool items. Our family has a hard time keeping track of thermometers so I was really excited to be able to review the Exergen TemporalScanner from Exergen Corporation.

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There are lots of ways to take temperatures; oral, rectal, axillary (under the arm), and tympanic (in the ear). All of these have proven effective over the years but Exergen has came up with a way to get an even more accurate reading. The Exergen Temporal Scanner(tm) is the world’s first infrared thermometer designed to measure body temperature by taking a reading from the temporal artery. The arterial temperature is the same temperature as the blood flowing from the heart and is the best determinant of body temperature. Now, I come from a medical background, so I know what that means. But, if you don’t understand it, this is how it works.

You place the thermometer flush (flat) over the center of the forehead. As you hold the scan button down on the unit, lightly slide the thermometer either left or right from the center of the forehead to the hairline. You have to be sure to keep the sensor flat and in contact with the skin for the entire scan which is 2-3 seconds. You release the scan button and remove the thermometer from head once you reach the hairline.

This actually is very simple to use. If there is perspiration on the forehead, you can also get a reading behind the ear. All of these instructions are included with the thermometer. There are detailed instructions and also a Quick Start Card to help you use the thermometer within seconds of opening the package. You can also view an educational video if you would like to see this in action.

Because medical professionals consider ear thermometers inaccurate due to inconsistent placement, this is a much more accurate reading. Harvard Medical School has done a study to verify this. By taking the temperature over the temporal artery, the major artery in the brain, Exergen states that you will get a body temperature to within +0.2 degrees F. This is also preferred because of its invasive method. I don’t know about you, but I have never been comfortable taking temperatures anywhere but under my child’s arm. I feel like they never have it in their mouth correctly and we won’t even talk about the other ways that I don’t like to do it.

I have always worried about mercury thermometers so this is a great way to replace those in your home. It also seems to be more durable than the little battery operated ones that usually don’t last very long. Also, as I said before, we lose those fairly easy; and this one is big enough that it won’t fall down behind the couch cushions; or, if it does, we’ll be able to feel it.

At certain times, you can expect larger differences from temperatures taken at body sites other than the temporal artery. This is for two main reasons:

1. Temporal artery temps change faster than temps taken rectally.

2. Temporal artery temperature is not affected by things such as drinking cold drinks, talking and skin blood flow changes which do affect oral and axillary temperatures.

There is a clear cap that covers the infrared light that needs to be removed before using the thermometer. Other than that, all you need to do is insert the included battery and it is ready to use. It would be very easy to overlook this so be sure not to leave it on.

I was pleasantly surprised that the 9 volt battery that is required was included in the package.

My kids were excited because we only take temperatures when they are sick. We have tried this out several times in the last couple of days. Luckily they are healthy right now so I was expecting normal temperatures of 98.6 every time. We did not get the expected readings.

My temperature ranged from 98.2 to 99.6 over the 3 days. I was feeling fine so I’m not sure about the 99.6 reading. I would consider that a low grade fever.

My husband was laying on the couch during his first reading and I got 99.9. Again, he is not sick, (although I do think he’s pretty hot) just sleeping. There is a place in the directions that say temperature can be affected by your head being on the pillow. He was laying face up so I don’t think this should have affected it. His subsequent readings were from 97.2 to 98.9.

My daughter’s readings ranged from 98.4 to 98.8. I would consider these all normal readings.

We got some crazy readings on my son. He was playing outside where it is about 48 degrees. When he came in I took his temp and it was 82.7. He thought he was dying but laughed when he said this. I took it again 30 minutes later after he had warmed up and it read 92.8. His skin was no longer cool to the touch by this time. His other readings were between 96 and 98 degrees the next day.

I guess in our family, my daughter is the only normal one.

My husband works in the operating room at a local hospital and this is the type of thermometer that they use. The OR is kept at 60 degrees and he says that it doesn’t affect the temperature readings. Exergen states that the thermometer is sensitive to ambient temperature. As long as the thermometer is in approximately the same ambient temperature as the individual whose temp is being taken, you don’t have to be concerned. I guess if I had taken the thermometer outside I would have gotten a more accurate reading on my son. I am anxious to use this the next time someone gets sick in our house. Hopefully it won’t be for a long time. I will probably use another thermometer the first time to check for accuracy due to our weird readings. It is possible that our baseline on this thermometer just reads a little different than a normal one.

You can purchase your Exergen TemporalScanner at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Costco, Babies R Us, Toys R Us and Sam’s Clubs nationwide. Prices vary but are between $29-$50. I found the best price on Costco’s website.

You can click here to get a $5.00 rebate coupon for this thermometer?

Just like most companies these days, Exergen has a Facebook page. Click on the link to become a fan.

Now for the exciting part for you.

Exergen is graciously allowing me to give away a Temporal Scanner Thermometer to one of my blog readers. They will be sending this directly to you from the company. There are several ways you can enter this giveaway.

* Post a comment telling me what you think of the thermometer.

* Follow me on my blog.

* Write about this giveaway on your blog and link back to me.

* Write about this giveaway on your Facebook page.

* Tweet about this giveaway.

Each of these things that you do will give you an entry. The more you do, the more entries you will receive. Please leave a separate comment for each thing you have done. Also, please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner. The winner will be picked using Randomizer.

** Please be advised that this is a review for Mama Buzz. In exchange for this honest review, Exergen has provided me with a Temporal scanner thermometer at no charge. No other compensation was provided.

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47 comments:

Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers said...

I tweeted

Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers said...

btw, yay, love the song you have on your blog right now (:

Michelle Smith said...

I think this thermometer is the greatest! I've used the ear thermometers when my kids were sick--none of them wanted that sticking in their ears, especially when they felt bad! With the digital mouth thermometers, you have to make sure that they have not been eating, drinking or talking for at least 15 minutes. They don't like the feel of the hard thermometer stuck underneath their armpits, either. Frankly, this is one of the greatest new kid inventions of the 21st century, if you ask me! :)

Michelle Smith said...

I followed!

My Blessings From Above said...

I have used a temporal thermometer and I love them. The one we have has worn out. I think temporal thermometers are much more accurate than the ear thermometers I have used in the past which never gave me the same reading twice.

Debbie said...

This sounds like a cool product. I would love an easier way to take temperatures.

April E. said...

I need this! I bought a cheap version at the store a few months ago, and everyone's temp is 97 something with it. I am not joking. My son had a high fever, and it read as 98 with the cheap version. I am kicking myself for not buying the good one!! I really could use this. Our ear thermometer which I've loved for years is dying. Plus, I often get errors from using the wrong angle with it. With this, I wouldn't have a wrong angle. :D

April E.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elcloud

April E. said...

I follow you on facebook.

Susan said...

This is a super cool invention---I've never taken temps except under the arm, either, due to the invasive nature of other ways. Thanks for doing a giveaway!

Susan said...

Following you!

Susan said...

Tweet tweet: http://twitter.com/susanadale/status/10329807041

The Crazy Mom said...

I have been wanting one of these. I hate having mercury in the house!!!

The Crazy Mom said...

I've Tweeted!

The Crazy Mom said...

Public Follower!

Tina said...

I like that this thermometer is supposed to be accurate. I have gone through MANY thermometers through the years and would love to give this to my daughter, who is giving me a grandson in August. :)

Lori Watson said...

This looks awesome! We don't even own a thermometer right now. My daughter broke the last one a few weeks ago.

Lori Watson said...

following!

Tristan said...

I love that these are quick and non-invasive for cranky sick kids.

Tristan said...

I follow your blog too.

Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers said...

I facebooked too, Lori :)

http://www.facebook.com/DSPTina?ref=mf

Mrs Deputy said...

Great review! I have been thinking of getting one like this!

trooppetrie said...

we had this and it is a life saver. that is until i dropped it

Tammi said...

I love that it give gives a temp so quickly and you don't have to put much effort into it when the kids don't feel well.
terbeest at hickorytech dot net

Wendy Hilton said...

I have been wanting one of these thermometers. My autistic daughter won't let me put a thermometer in her mouth to take her temperature, and using an ear thermometer doesn't work much better. Thank you for the chance to win this one!

Wendy (from the Crew)

Emily B said...

We're currently using a 30+ year old forehead thing that is like a mood ring (the colours change according to how hot you are). It's not exactly the most accurate!
This sounds WAY better!
ebickell at hotmail dot com

Rachel said...

I have tried two different types of thermometers in the past three months and BOTH have stopped working after only a couple of weeks. I would love to have the chance to win a thermometer that actually works :O)

storm844 @ aol . com (no spaces of course! lol)

Linds said...

I was just thinking today about buying one of these! My pediatrician actually recommended it to me, after I've had some problems with the ear one that we have now!

Linds said...

I'm following now too! I'm actually hosting a giveaway of my own if you're interested-- it's for a custom applique t-shirt for kids:
http://adollopofmylife.blogspot.com/2010/03/rocketships-elephants-giveaway.html

Trisha said...

I have wanted this for a while. It is so hard to get an accurate read with our ear thermometer and the baby is not a fan of me holding down his arm to check his temp there.

Chris Worthy said...

Our pediatrician uses these and I would love to have one.

Chris Worthy said...

And I already follow. :)

scottsgal said...

exergen facebook fan
msboatgal at aol.com

Debbie said...

Hey...I'd love this type of thermometer. I've only seen this at the dr. It would be great to have at home.

Debbie said...

I'm a follower.

Debbie said...

I've blogged.

Debbie said...

Tweeted.

Debbie said...

Facebooked.

Debbie said...

I blogged about this giveaway.
http://debbieshomeschoolcorner.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaways.html

Hidden Jewel said...

I have been wanting to try one of these thermometers as we have had our ear thermometer for many years.

AmyLynn said...

If it is possible to be in love with a thermometer, I am. It sounds amazing. And I love that it is easy to use and gives accurate readings. Thanks for the chance!

AmyLynn said...

I'm following your blog.

julia said...

I am a mercury mom! I sit with my children as I take their temps, but I have not seen any that are acurate except this one, which I have not purchased yet, but my pediatrician office uses this type, not sure of the brand. I had the worst trouble with the ear ones that I paid alot of money for. It usually said that my kids temps were below normal when I knew they had had fevers. I will trade in the mercury one for this one! (My ped says that as long as it doesn't break the mercury one is fine).

Julia said...

posted on fb too!

Coolestmommy said...

After taking my 3yo to the urgent care with a double ear infection and seeing one of these in action, I never want to stick something in her sore ears again!!!

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Coolestmommy said...

Follow via friend connect

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Coolestmommy said...

Tweeted
http://twitter.com/Coolestmommy/statuses/10703125487

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Suzanne said...

wow! That's lots of variation. I'm not sure that I would know if my kids had fevers unless they were really high, but I do like the convenience of those kind of thermometers.

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