I’ve been using an old mercury thermometer for years. Would a digital thermometer be more reliable?
Digital thermometers are generally reliable. The issue is not just reliability but the fact that mercury thermometers can break and spill their contents. Mercury is a toxic substance you should never touch or inhale, as it can cause short- and long-term problems with neurological and cognitive function. It’s so dangerous that in some states you can’t even buy mercury thermometers. If you have one, it’s recommended that you stop using it. Don’t throw it in the trash; instead, contact your waste-removal provider and ask about the safe, proper way to dispose of it.
Not only are digital thermometers a much safer alternative, but many options also offer accurate, speedy readings. You can use basic digital probe thermometers rectally, orally, and in the armpit, just as you can with mercury thermometers. Digital ear thermometers are designed to slide into the ear canal. Temporal artery, or forehead, thermometers use an infrared scanner to give near-instantaneous readings after being applied to the forehead, but they’re more costly. You can also buy a noncontact version to point at the forehead without any need for touching or worries about contamination.
Generally, ear thermometers tend to give a temperature reading of up to 1°F higher than oral thermometers. Forehead thermometers are typically 1°F lower than oral thermometers. For the most accurate reading with ease of use, your best bet is a digital probe thermometer used orally.
