www.brothermax.com
3
“Why might I be getting an inaccurate Forehead temperature
reading?”
• The most common causes are:
1.
The probe not being clean; earwax, perspiration, cosmetics, oil,
dust or any other dirt will affect accuracy.
2.
Environmental factors such as exposure to heat or cold. For
example, sitting next to a hot radiator or cold air conditioning unit
will directly affect forehead temperature, and even result in the
temperature on one side of the head being different to the other.
3.
Incorrect setting between Forehead and Ambient modes i.e.
taking Forehead temperature when the thermometer is set to
Ambient mode.
4.
Not allowing 30 minutes to elapse:
• Before taking Forehead temperature when coming indoors
from the cold or hot.
• If a coldpack or hotpack have been used on the head.
• If the thermometer has been stored in a significantly cooler or
warmer environment.
• Comparing a reading from another thermometer that is
calibrated to a different range or format.
“Why can I get different measurements from one forehead
reading to the next?”
• Every time you place the probe on your forehead, it is likely to
be in a different part of your head. Since forehead temperature
is affected by environmental factors such as exposure to heat or
cold, placing the probe on a different part of your forehead can
result in different temperatures especially if, for example, you are
sitting next to a hot radiator or cold air conditioning unit.
• Forehead temperature is also affected by proximity to blood veins,
as an area which has more veins close to the skin will be warmer
than an area that has bone under the skin.
“Why might I be getting an inaccurate Ambient temperature reading?”
• The most common cause of inaccurate Ambient readings is
incorrect setting between Ambient and Forehead modes i.e.
taking ambient temperature when the thermometer is set to
Forehead mode.
“How do I clean wax and other dirt off the thermometer probe?”
• Clean the probe by very gently wiping it with, ideally, a cotton
swab moistened with alcohol or a very soft cloth moistened with
alcohol. Alternatively a dry cotton swab can be used, or a baby
wipe so long as it is very soft and its water content is not so high
that it is dripping wet.
• Never use an abrasive cloth as it will damage the probe.
• Always allow the alcohol (or moisture) to completely dry out
before taking temperature after cleaning.
“Is it best to measure temperature in the Ear or Forehead?”
• Readings from the ear are always best as you need an internal
reading to get the all-important core body temperature which
measuring the eardrum gives you as it shares blood supply with
the temperature control centre in the brain
1
.
• However many children and adults don’t want to have a probe
put in their ear, either because they just feel uncomfortable with
it, or maybe because they are ill and their ear hurts, so forehead
readings provide a convenient alternative.
1
Netter H F, Atlas of Human Anatomy, Novartis Medical Education, East Hanover, NJ, 1997
Frequently Asked Questions
