Underarm Temperature

Right from childhood, most of us get familiar with thermometers, which are used to determine body temperature. We all know that there are various modes of using a thermometer. You may either resort to the oral method or rectal method or underarm (axillary) method. Underarm method is most commonly used, though oral and rectal methods are also practiced by some. The normal body temperature of humans is 98.6 °F or 37.0 °C. This temperature may correspond to the oral temperature, but may vary with other methods. The rectal method is considered as the most accurate one and the temperature measured through this method will be same or slightly lower than the oral one. Then, what about the underarm temperature? Let us take a look at the various factors regarding underarm temperature accuracy and measurement.

Underarm Temperature Measurement

Any type of thermometer can be used to measure underarm temperature, but an electronic one will be the best for this purpose. You have to place the thermometer probe in the armpit and fold the arm across the chest. Before this, you have to make sure that the reading on the device is below 95 °F. If it is a digital thermometer, you have to wait till the beep sound and if it is a glass one with alcohol or galinstan, you have to wait for at least five minutes to reach a fairly accurate temperature. It is better to avoid use of mercury thermometers. Underarm or axillary temperature measurement method is very common, but cannot be considered as the most accurate one. The temperature measured through underarm method is called axillary temperature, which could be around half to one degree below the oral temperature. So, the normal underarm temperature will be around 97.6 °F to 98.1°F or 36.4 - 36.7 °C.

Variations in Normal Temperature

Now, you know that the body temperature may vary slightly, with the method of temperature measurement. As mentioned earlier, rectal method is considered the most accurate and the oral method is usually found to be the same or slightly lower than the temperature measured by the rectal method. The underarm temperature maybe half to one degree below the temperature measured through oral method. The normal temperature range for adults may vary with the methods of temperature measurement. In case of rectal method, the normal range could be between 98.9 °F to 100.4 °Fahrenheit, it would be around 97.6 °F to 99.5 °Fahrenheit in oral method and 97.6 °F to 98.1 °Fahrenheit in the underarm method. In short, any body temperature that ranges between 97 to 100.4 °Fahrenheit can be considered as normal temperature in humans. Anything beyond 100.4 °Fahrenheit is considered as fever.

While it is easy to measure the temperature of adults, in case of babies, it could be a difficult task. The most preferred method to measure the body temperature in babies is the rectal method. It is risky to insert thermometer in their mouth and the underarm temperature may not be that accurate, even after calculating the possible variations. However, some parents find it easier to take underarm temperature in babies. Instead of worrying about the slight variations in body temperature (measured through different methods), all you have to do is to seek immediate medical attention, in case of abnormal temperatures.