Thermometer options

A glass mercury thermometer was once a staple in most medicine cabinets. Today, mercury thermometers aren't recommended because they can break and release mercury vapor, which can be inhaled. When choosing a thermometer, consider these options:

• Digital thermometers. These thermometers use electronic heat sensors to record body temperature. Digital thermometers can be used to record temperature in different parts of the body: rectum, mouth or armpit. A rectal thermometer records the temperature in the rectum. An oral thermometer records it in the mouth. And an axillary thermometer records the temperature in the armpit. Armpit temperatures are typically the least accurate of the three.
• Digital ear thermometers. These thermometers are called tympanic membrane thermometers. They use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature inside the ear canal. Remember that earwax or a small, curved ear canal can affect accuracy.
• Temporal artery thermometers. These thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead. You can use this type of thermometer even while a child is asleep.

Digital pacifier thermometers and fever strips are not recommended.