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Less Painful Testing Tips
Unfortunately, the technology for testing blood sugar still requires a blood sample. Here are some great tips to help decrease the pain of testing on your fingertips.
- 1. Choose a meter with a small blood sample requirement. The new meters on the market mostly require less than 1 microliter of blood.
- 2. Wash your hands prior to testing instead of cleaning the site with alcohol. Alcohol can dry your skin.
- 3. Always use a new lancet. Lancets are such a fine needle point that even one use will dull the tip.
- 4. Use a dial type of lancing device. This has different settings in order to get an adequate amount of blood.
- 5. Massage your hand prior to lancing your finger to get the blood flowing through the hand.
- 6. Choose a spot on the sides of the fingertips because you use this part of your finger less.
- 7. If you have to continuously repeat tests due to an insufficient blood sample, try the New Optium Meter that allows you to reapply to the same strip.
- 8. Choose an Alternative Site Testing Meter for forearm testing if your fingers need time to heal. Your forearm has less nerve endings therefore causes less pain. Always consult with a healthcare professional before you begin using your forearm for testing.* Most new meters on the market are approved for alternate site testing.
*Forearm testing can may fail to detect hypoglycemia. Forearm testing is not recommended for testing within 2 hours after meals, an insulin dose, or exercise. Results may not be accurate under these circumstances.