High temperature - but not, apparently

[ninjasquirrel]

Recently DS felt like he had a high temperature - his skin was hot to the touch and when DH picked him up from nursery they'd stripped him down to his nappy and were giving him a cuddle. But our ear thermometer only showed 37.6 so no temperature. Has been similar though not as extreme in the past. Is the thermometer faulty or is it possible to be very hot like that and not have a temperature? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

I would say that 37.6 with an ear thermometer is a slightly raised temperature - DD's is usually around 36.6 when she is well.

37.6 is a noticeable temp.

And ear thermometer will typically read 36.7 or very close to in a healthy person although it can vary a little person to person.

Hard to know without knowing your ds baseline temp. Take his temp when he is well to compare. Both my kids regualrly have temp of 37.5 with in ear thermometer when well.

Go by how he is rather than just a temp.

I've given up using our ear thermometer, it doesn't seem reliable.
I usually kiss the forehead to see if there's a temperature.
Do not try this on strangers though.

Thanks all. Just took his temp and it says 37... I thought from the instructions up to 38 was 'normal'.

I find we have to use a few thermometers and take the most common value - they vary so much!

Its worth knowing your child's baseline, mine is not 37, it's closer to 36 so at 37 I feel quite feverish

Our ear thermometer is definitely dodgy. Both mine have been ill this week, DD2 felt really hot to the touch but our thermometer said her temp was 37.2. Took her to the GP, whose reading was 38, and by the time she was is hospital it was 39.5. DD1 had red cheeks and complained of ear ache. Our thermometer said 37, GPs said 37.5. (Yes, we have had a rubbish week!)

I am going to order a new one asap actually. It's definitely more important to go with how thwy are/feel.

An ear thermometer won't be accurate if a child has an ear infection in that ear.

Ear thermometers can be very accurate but does depend on brand as to how foolproof its use is.

It is worth taking a baseline temp when they are well so you know what is normal for them.

dd is very hot when she has 37.6 - definitely a raised temp for most kids, I'd say.

I like our ear thermometer - not sure if they vary according to make, but I find ours very trustworthy tbh. I do take in both ears though, because whilst temp is rising or falling rapidly it doesn't read the same in both - then it evens out. No idea why!