The human body generates heat continuously, which is why a room full of people is always warmer than one without. And while healthy body temperature was once considered 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, many people have temperatures slightly higher or lower for several reasons. The guide below explains what these factors are and what necessitates a visit to your local urgent care clinic.

What Do I Need to Know About Body Temperature?

Gender

The average body temperature for adults is between 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Women have more subcutaneous body fat around their cores than their extremities, which often makes them feel colder than men who have more muscle and subsequently more even heat distribution. Changes related to menstruation can also make women colder because the estrogen hormone temporarily thickens blood and restricts flow to the hands, feet, and ears.

Age

Babies have higher body temperatures than older children and adults. These temperatures can reach 100.4 degrees because babies sweat significantly less, something that also decreases their susceptibility to high fevers. Adults over 65 have lower body temperatures around 98.6 degrees because metabolic rate slows as a person ages, which makes retaining body heat more challenging.

Activity Level, Time Of Day, & Habits

Body temperature rises during physical activities such as running or playing sports, which is why people sweat to cool down. Spicy foods and hot drinks such as hot tea can also make you warmer, as does smoking cigarettes. In addition, this habit interferes with the organ’s ability to remove excess heat from the body.

When to Get Help

Everyone should measure their temperature when they are healthy so that they know where their baseline is. Visit your local medical clinic if your temperature is several degrees higher than that. However, keep in mind where on the body you take the reading.

For example, armpits measuring over 99 degrees require treatment, as do mouth readings of 100 degrees or higher. Rectal and ear readings over 100.4 degrees call for urgent care as well. Fevers are often accompanied by symptoms such as sweating, chills, body aches, fatigue, flushed skin, dehydration, loss of appetite, and higher heart rate.

Don’t wait if you have a fever—visit Superior Urgent Care for the help you need now. This walk-in clinic and urgent care center provides residents of Keller, TX, and the surrounding areas with the highest level of personalized care, including x-rays, allergy testing and treatment, and on-site lab work. The locally-owned facility accepts Medicare and Tricare. Call (817) 576-4050 today to speak with a physician about your symptoms or visit the medical clinic online for a complete service list.