Exergen Thermometer – Mama Buzz Review

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.

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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