Forehead thermometers - are they reliable?

[piratehugs]

We have a thermometer you point at someone's forehead. The readings it gives back are all over the place - we rarely get the same number twice in a row and it can vary alarmingly by 2-3 degrees C from moment to moment. Generally we take five or so readings and if any of them are high, we take that as a fever. (When someone is well, it doesn't seem to ever show a high reading.)

Is this normal or have we got a duff thermometer? Can anyone recommend an accurate, reliable one? Thanks!

Normal I think. Mine also likes to insist people are “Lo” ie too cold to read. I’d say the precise figure isn’t that accurate but you can generally get if they’re ok, have a fever or have a high fever. Mind you my hand can probably do the same.

Ours was terribly inaccurate and we sent it back for a refund.
My GP friend recommended a Braun ear thermometer, which is better.
Best of luck!