A temporal artery thermometer (TAT) measures the heat energy your body gives off in your temporal artery. It's a blood vessel that runs across the middle of your forehead. To use a temporal artery thermometer, you'll place the device in the center of your forehead before gently moving it straight across to your hairline.
The temporal artery thermometer uses infrared technology to measure your temperature. Everything is made of atoms that move around and send out energy. And when your temperature is higher, these atoms move faster. The thermometer can read this movement as infrared energy or heat. The device converts the heat to a temperature.
The temporal thermometer gives you a readout of your body temperature and can quickly tell you if you have a fever. A body temperature of 100.9 F or higher signals a fever, but some experts say a fever starts at 100.4 F or higher. For an infant, this temperature is more of a concern than it may be for an adult.
Although rectal thermometers are the most precise, inserting a thermometer into your butt (anus) can cause discomfort. A temporal reading can give you a quick, easy way to know if you have a higher temperature. Explore when to use this thermometer and learn about the pros and cons of measuring your temporal artery temperature.
When Do You Use a Temporal Artery Thermometer?
You would likely use a temporal artery thermometer if you're checking for a fever. You may check your temperature or someone you love. The temporal thermometer can quickly show results without discomfort. Besides body heat, signs of fever may mean you get:
- Sweaty
- Chills or body shivers
- Head pain
- Muscle aches
- Less hungry
- Skin rash
- Restless
- Dehydrated
- Weakness
Your body temperature is naturally higher in the afternoon or evening. Eating and exercising may also affect your temperature. A fever can be a sign that your body is fighting off an infection, and that’s a good thing.
Besides an infection, you may also have a fever because of:
- Health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, that cause inflammation
- Reactions to drugs or vaccines
- Some cancers
To lower your fever at home, you can try to:
- Drink water to cool your body off and prevent dehydration.
- Eat light meals that are easy for your body to digest.
- Rest and sleep as much as you can.
- Take acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen to lower your temperature and improve your symptoms.
- Take a lukewarm or cool bath.
When to call the doctor
Most of the time, a fever is harmless. But sometimes, you may need to call your doctor or get medical care.
Call your baby's doctor if your baby is:
- Under 3 months old with a rectal fever over 100.4 F.
- Between 3 and 6 months old with a rectal fever over 102 F.
- Between 3 and 6 months old and has discomfort, irritability, or acts sluggish, even without a fever.
- Between 7 and 24 months old with a rectal fever over 102 F for longer than 24 hours without any symptoms (call your doctor sooner if your baby has symptoms).
- Older than 24 months but is confused, not making eye contact, vomits, has a fever for more than three days, has other symptoms, or has seizures.
Call your doctor right away if your fever is 103 F or higher. But if you have any of these symptoms with a fever, get medical care right away:
- Serious headache
- Rash
- Bright light sensitivity
- Pain or stiffness in your neck, especially when you bend forward
- Confusion, altered behavior, or speech
- Can't stop vomiting
- Belly pain
- Pain when you pee (urinate)
- Seizures
How Do You Use a Temporal Artery Thermometer?
Before you start, pick a place to take your temperature. Use a room without drafts, not in direct sunlight. Wind, sun, or heaters can affect your temperature reading.
Next, check the room temperature to make sure it's above 60.8 F. After 10-30 minutes in the room, take your temperature.
Here are a few tips to help you get the best temperature reading:
Know your thermometer. Read the instructions for your particular thermometer. Be sure you know how to store and maintain it.
Turn the thermometer on. Make sure it is ready for use.
Prepare your forehead. Clean and dry your forehead. Remove any headbands or hats. If there's sweat, wait 10-15 minutes and try again.
Place the sensor. Align the sensor with the middle of your forehead for the most accurate reading.
Move the thermometer. Maintaining contact with your skin, drag the thermometer up your forehead to your hairline.
Read the temperature. The screen displays your temperature based on the reading. If you think the reading is wrong, try again.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Using a Temporal Artery Thermometer?
Temporal artery thermometers can give accurate temperature readings in some cases. But if you need a precise temperature measurement, your doctor may suggest a rectal thermometer. That's because a temporal thermometer can sometimes give you different readings.
Here are some pros and cons of this type of measurement.
Pros of using a temporal artery thermometer
Quick. The main advantage of using a temporal artery thermometer is how quickly you can get a reading. The artery isn't buried too deeply under the skin of your forehead.
Multiple readings. As you scan it, the thermometer takes hundreds of measurements per second. The temporal thermometer reads your body heat.
Comfort. Since there's no wait for results and there's no discomfort, temporal thermometers are great for children. And you don't need to place the temporal thermometer in your butt, mouth, or ear. And you can gently take your baby's temperature while they sleep.
Cons of using a temporal artery thermometer
Higher cost. You may find that a temporal artery thermometer costs more than other thermometers. That's because temporal thermometers use infrared technology.
Stay out of sunlight. Take your temperature in a place without other heat sources — this means removing conditions that could affect your reading.
Be sure to remove any:
- Direct sunlight
- Surrounding heat sources like heaters
- Sweat from your forehead
- Chance to not contact your forehead, such as headbands or hats
Temperature differences. You should also be ready to make one other adjustment. Researchers compared temperature readings from other body parts using many thermometer types:
- Oral — goes under your tongue
- Anal — inserted rectally and usually considered the most accurate
- Armpit — also called an axillary thermometer
- Ear — also called a tympanic thermometer
- Temporal — the temporal artery thermometer
Temperature readings vary by body part, but doctors generally agree that your:
So you may have to do a little math. For example, if you get a temporal reading of 101 F, your rectal or ear reading may be closer to 102 F.
Lower accuracy. Doctors still consider rectal temperature to be the most accurate. Always be sure to share what type of thermometer you used, as well as the reading, when you talk to your doctor about a fever.
And keep in mind, your doctor may suggest taking a rectal temperature. That's because it can give the most precise answer. Temporal thermometer readings can sometimes vary. And your temperature reading can be different if you sweat or have blood vessel changes.
Racial differences. It's still unclear, but temporal artery temperatures may miss fevers in people of color. That's because the device uses infrared technology to measure your skin temperature. And the device may need to be calibrated differently.
A recent study compared temporal artery and oral temperatures of Black people in the emergency room. The temporal thermometer measured fewer fevers in Black people at a fever cut off between 100.4 and 101.3 F.
Although a few studies reported no differences based on skin color, those temporal readings were taken from healthy volunteers. The infrared thermometer design may not detect your fever if your skin color is darker or if you have other skin changes. Ask your doctor about the best thermometer for your situation.
Takeaways
A temporal artery thermometer (TAT) can quickly measure your body heat on your forehead using infrared technology. For some people, it's a fast way to know if you have a fever of 100.4 F or more, but it may give you a lower reading if you have a darker skin tone. Unlike a rectal or oral thermometer, a temporal thermometer doesn't go inside your body — it's great for babies and kids. Ask your doctor about the best thermometer for your health.
Temporal Artery Thermometers FAQs
Is an oral thermometer or a temporal artery thermometer more accurate?
An oral thermometer is typically more precise compared to a temporal artery thermometer. That's because nearby heat sources, a sweaty forehead, or even changes in your blood vessels can affect the reading.
How much does a temporal artery thermometer cost?
The cost of a temporal artery thermometer can depend on the type, but it usually ranges from $20 to $800. You'll find the more expensive temporal models in a hospital or mounted on the wall at your doctor's office. But for about $40-$50, you can buy a fairly good temporal thermometer model for your home.
How does a temporal artery thermometer work?
A temporal artery thermometer uses infrared technology to measure your body heat. Because everything is made of atoms that move around and send out energy, the thermometer reads this energy as heat.
If your temperature is higher, the atoms move faster and send out more energy. The device converts this infrared energy to a temperature reading on your temporal thermometer. But the reading can sometimes be wrong if you have darker skin tones.
With darker skin tones, the thermometer may read your temperature a little lower and miss your fever. You can always take an oral or rectal thermometer reading to check your temperature, too.