Blood testing

[tshirt]

Hi I'm new to this site but not new to diabetes.
I have a silly question as I have been washing my hands so much they are cracked and a mess. Where else on my body can I prick to test for sugar levels?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Ah @tshirt!

I feel your pain!

I‘ve been using Neutrogena hand cream, and have been recommended ‘Flexitol’ which I haven’t found yet.

There are ‘alternative site testing’ (AST) adaptors for some Fingerpricker devices, but generally I think AST is felt to be less accurate and reliable. Meters are calibrated for fingers I’m afraid.

 

[tshirt]

Ah @tshirt!

I feel your pain!

I‘ve been using Neutrogena hand cream, and have been recommended ‘Flexitol’ which I haven’t found yet.

There are ‘alternative site testing’ (AST) adaptors for some Fingerpricker devices, but generally I think AST is felt to be less accurate and reliable. Meters are calibrated for fingers I’m afraid.

Thank you for the info I will just press on, stay safe

 

[Kaylz]

I've never had cracks on the areas used to test BG in my 15 years of OCD, usually the backs of my hands, wrists and between my fingers where they attach to my hands that have had huge hacks on or severely red to the point they look like they have been badly burned

Have you been applying cream? I find if I apply a hand cream with glycerine when I go to bed they do feel much better by morning and I'll apply at least once a day when I can and know I won't be washing my hands for a little while, I use Aldi's own cream at under £1 a tube but any cream with glycerine will do a good job
xx

 

[Kaylz]

also a little tip, patting dry is less damaging to skin than rubbing dry xx

 

[Inka]

An obvious thing but have you got your finger pricker set to the lowest setting that works for you? It might be worth trying a less deep setting to see if you can get enough blood with that.

I find the Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Cream very good. I also sometimes use those cotton gloves you put over moisturised hands at night so the moisturiser can soak in. Regular use of a decent hand cream can do wonders.