Fever

How To Fake A Fever With An Ear Thermometer

Nidhi Nangia
By Nidhi Nangia, Writer and researcher. Updated: April 17, 2026
How To Fake A Fever With An Ear Thermometer
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Ear thermometers are known to give the most accurate reading of your body temperature. Since the eardrum and the hypothalamus have the same blood vessels, it is the most reliable way of taking the temperature of your brain. But what will you do if you want to fake a fever and someone has decided to take your body temperature with an ear thermometer? Tricking an ordinary thermometer is easily done by warming up in some way. But it’s not that easy to fake a fever with an ear thermometer. OneHOWTO will try to explore some possible options.

You may also be interested in: How To Fake A Fever With Garlic
Contents
  1. How does an ear thermometer work?
  2. Ways to Increase Reading on an Ear Thermometer
  3. Ways to Actually Increase your Body Temperature
  4. Other Tricks to Convince Others That You Have Fever

How does an ear thermometer work?

An ear thermometer is a type of thermometer that registers body temperature through the ear canal. Developed to take readings as close to the brain temperature as possible, ear thermometers offer more accurate measurements compared to traditional methods. Before their invention, temperature readings were typically taken through the mouth, underarm, or rectum. The ear's proximity to the brain makes it an ideal site for temperature assessment. Although the thermometer does not directly touch the eardrum, as it is very fragile and sensitive, it uses infrared radiation to capture temperature. The device detects subtle changes in the infrared emissions inside your ear and brain, converts these into a reading, and displays it on the LCD screen.

Ways to Increase Reading on an Ear Thermometer

Here are a few ways that you can use to increase the temperature reading on your ear thermometer:

  • Use a heating pad set on low and place it against your ear for several minutes. Alternatively, put a hot washcloth near your ear or lie on the ear for a while. Obstructing your ear canal with a cotton ball for 10-20 minutes can also help elevate the temperature. These tricks will cause a higher reading when the thermometer is used.
  • Heating your ear with a hair dryer is another method. Ensure the dryer is not too hot to avoid any injury. This gentle warming can produce a noticeable change in the reading.
  • If you can access the ear thermometer beforehand, consider warming it up by placing it near hot running water or a warm light bulb.
  • Another technique involves using a Q-tip soaked in hot water. Insert it into your ear for about 5 seconds to increase the local temperature where the reading will be taken.
  • Holding your breath for as long as possible can force blood circulation to your face, resulting in a temporary increase in temperature.
  • Rubbing the thermometer tip vigorously with your fingers can also generate heat, thus altering the reading.
  • When given a hot beverage, like tea or coffee, discreetly lean the thermometer tip against the cup. Be cautious not to let the reading become unrealistically high.

Ways to Actually Increase your Body Temperature

Here are a few ways with which you can actually increase the temperature of your body. So, when someone takes your temperature, it naturally goes up high.

With onion: Cut two thin slices of an onion, keeping the middle parts intact. Place one slice in each armpit and leave them overnight. This method leverages the thin membrane of the armpits to allow chemicals like allicin to leach into the bloodstream, causing a local inflammatory response that raises your body temperature. Onions also contain certain irritants that can contribute to a temporary increase in temperature. For more details, read How to Fake a Fever with Onion.

With garlic: Similar to onions, garlic can be used by cutting a clove in half and placing each piece in your armpits overnight. The active compounds in garlic enter the bloodstream, prompting the body's immune response, which includes a rise in temperature. The body may react to garlic as a foreign object, releasing antibodies that increase body heat. Read more at How To Fake A Fever With Garlic.

With toothpaste: Toothpaste contains fluoride salts which, in large doses, can induce symptoms like vomiting and indigestion, inadvertently raising body temperature. However, this method can cause genuine illness rather than a simple fake fever, so it is not advisable unless a real excuse to stay home is needed. For further information, see Why Not to Fake a Fever with Toothpaste.

After using these methods to elevate your body temperature, a reading from the ear thermometer will indicate fever, convincing others of your condition.

Other Tricks to Convince Others That You Have Fever

You can fake a fever using the above-mentioned methods, but that would not be enough. You need to have some acting skills too to convince others that you are sick. Fake these symptoms of fever using your acting talent:

  • Shivers: People with fever often feel hot externally but cold internally, leading to shivers. Simulate this by tightening your muscles and shivering slightly.
  • Sweat: Engage in physical exercise privately to induce sweating, a common symptom of fever.
  • Headache: Frequently complain of a headache. Press your fingers to your forehead to mimic trying to relieve the pain.
  • Muscle pain: Show signs of muscle pain by moving slowly or wincing when lifting objects or getting out of bed.
  • Loss of appetite: Even when offered favorite foods, decline by stating a lack of appetite, a typical fever symptom.
  • Be lazy: Act lethargic and reluctant to leave your bed, dismissing any suggestions of activities by emphasizing your need for rest.
  • Stay warm: Remain under a blanket to maintain warmth and reinforce the appearance of illness.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to How To Fake A Fever With An Ear Thermometer, we recommend you visit our Family health category.

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3 comments
Rating:
Abby Blossom Gentry
How do you fake sick at school?
Rating:
Ashley
how do garlic and onion work with getting a fever?
Abby Blossom Gentry
They just do
Rating:
priscilla
How do you fake sick at school???
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Priscilla
What kind of sick are you wanting to fake? This question depends a lot on what you’re looking for.
How To Fake A Fever With An Ear Thermometer