Survey Reveals "Fever Phobia" Has Moms Sweating over Pediatric Fever

Braun Thermometers Finds That Most Moms Have Common Misconceptions About How to Detect and Treat Their Child's Fever

A recent survey conducted for Braun Thermometers, a brand of Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ, NM: HELE) and the #1 most recommended brand by pediatricians¹, found that many moms believe common misconceptions about fevers, suffering from what's been coined as "Fever Phobia."

Moms surveyed feel worried (91%), anxious (64%) and even fearful (55%) when their youngest child has a fever. While this unease is understandable, it is surprising how many mothers believe common misconceptions about how to care for their children's fever.

"Whether you're a first-time mom or an experienced mom, a child's fever can be concerning, and there are many common misconceptions about how to take care of your kids when they're sick with a fever," said Lara Peterson, Vice President of Marketing for Healthcare and Digital at Helen of Troy Health and Home. "That's why it's important for parents to make sure they are taking their child's temperature accurately and are prepared to care for their child when he or she gets sick with the cold or flu."

The survey revealed that 4 out of 10 moms believe that using the back of their hand on their child's forehead is a good way to determine if their child has a fever. While you may be able to feel some warmth by using the back of your hand, the best way to accurately take your child's temperature is with a thermometer you trust to provide professional accuracy, gentle convenience and peace of mind when you need it most.

The survey also found that 82% of moms believe fever can give their child brain damage and 84% say it is important to reduce their child's fever.

"As scary as your child's fever may be, most fevers aren't dangerous and do not cause brain damage," said Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a board-certified attending family physician at Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill Health Center. "A fever is most often a sign that your child has a strong immune system that is helping them get well faster. Children are generally safe at temperatures that kill many viruses and bacteria."

Almost half of moms believe that the most accurate way to take a temperature is rectally. However, the ear actually provides the most accurate reading – only 12% of moms surveyed believe this! The ear canal is the best site to measure a fever, due to its close proximity to the eardrum, which shares the blood supply of the brain's temperature control center.

The Braun ThermoScan® 5 Ear Thermometer is proven more accurate than forehead or rectal measurement, because it measures fever through the ear canal, allowing for a more accurate reflection of the body's core temperature.²

Almost half of moms surveyed (48%) say it's important to wake their child in the middle of the night to give him or her fever reducing medication. You should always consult your child's Pediatrician for recommended care based on your child's underlying medical condition.

"Keeping track of your child's temperature is an important part of caregiving, but so is making sure that your child is getting the rest he or she needs to fight their sickness," said Dr. Gilboa. "The Braun No touch + forehead thermometer has clinically proven technology to give moms the confidence to know that they can accurately take their child's temperature from up to two inches away."

Without waking their sleeping child, moms can get professional accuracy with the Braun No touch + forehead thermometer, which features Braun's innovative technology to capture twice as much body heat compared to traditional forehead products.

When your child or someone you love is under the weather, Braun's clinically proven technology gives you confidence and peace of mind to know that your thermometer can take easy, accurate and gentle readings in just seconds.

For more information about all Braun's thermometer products, visit www.braunthermometers.com. These products are manufactured under license to the ‘Braun' trademark. ‘Braun' is a registered trademark of Braun GmbH, Kronberg, Germany. ThermoScan® is a registered trademark of Helen of Troy Limited.

The study, commissioned by Helen of Troy Health and Home and conducted by Blue Chip Marketing in September 2017, surveyed 1,001 moms with children age 0-10 across the United States.

¹ Based on a survey reporting that of the surveyed pediatricians (1) who recommend a brand of thermometers, Braun is the most recommended; and (2) who use a branded thermometer, Braun is the most frequently used.

² Measurements in detecting temperature changes. Nimah, Marianne M., et al. "Infrared tympanic thermometry in comparison with other temperature measurement techniques in febrile children." Pediatr Crit Care Med 7.1 (2006): 48-55.

About Helen of Troy Limited:

Helen of Troy Limited is a leading global consumer products company offering creative solutions for its customers through a strong portfolio of well-recognized and widely-trusted brands, including OXO®, OXO Tot®, Hydro Flask®, Vicks®, Braun®, Honeywell®, PUR®, Febreze®; Revlon®, Pro Beauty Tools®, Sure®, Pert®, Infusium23®, Brut®, Ammens®, Hot Tools®, Bed Head®, Dr. Sinatra®, Dr. David Williams, and Dr. Whitaker®. All trademarks herein belong to Helen of Troy Limited (or its affiliates) and/or are used under license from their respective licensors. For more information about Helen of Troy Limited, please visit http://www.hotus.com/.

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