Finger pricking Be honest

[SB2015]

Do you wash your hands before doing a finger prick test?

I am about to help on a T1 Family Weekend event, and one of our tasks is to make sure that the children have washed their hands before they test. I am goingg to have to behave all weekend and wash my hands before testing.

It set me wondering whether I am being silly not doing the handwash. I do wash my hands it if I get a weird result, but otherwise I use the squeeze, wipe away (that has ‘washed the area’), squeeze and test. On DAFNE I remember we were told to carry a damp bit of cotton wool in our kit and another dry one, each in a little bag, to use before testing. I think I did it for a few days!!

 

[Robin]

Well, I might if they were covered in grime from the garden...But generally, no, I don’t. Before meals I’m usually trying to test, bolus, stop the peas from boiling over, etc etc. And first thing in the morning, well, my hands were clean when I went to bed, I’m sure they haven’t got dirty in the night!

 

[Eddy Edson]

After eating, usually.

Otherwise, usually only if I'm retesting because I got a reading I didn't like 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

I do if I’ve been preparing food, but then I only fingerpick after hypos. I can rely on the Libre otherwise. I always wash my hands after treating hypos, to get jelly baby off my hands🙂

 

[Jodee]

Omgosh, yes I do, but then I've only been doing the pricking for 2 weeks, I can imagine after 2 years....... I have very dry skin at best of times

ha ha Mike

I think its important not to get the sensor bit sticky

 

[Northerner]

Perhaps children are more likely to have had their fingers in all sorts, so a wise instruction for them 😱 🙂 I only do it if hands are grubby from gardening or housework - so hardly ever 😱

 

[SB2015]

I came in from the garden having cut myself and I was bleeding lots. I washed my hands and needed to test as I thought I was Hypo. In spite of the dripping blood from the cut I automatically pricked my finger!!!

 

[Flower]

Do what??! 😱

Only if I’ve been preparing food or get a wacky outlier result. Normal times I’m just plain lazy. 🙂

 

[SB2015]

Do what??! 😱

Only if I’ve been preparing food or get a wacky outlier result. Normal times I’m just plain lazy. 🙂

Good to know I am a normal diabetic.

I think the instruction to wash your hands lives with the instructions to use the lancet (and needles) once.

 

[KARNAK]

I usually do if I can be bothered but very rarely if out.

 

[eggyg]

If I am able, ie at home, I always just rinse with water, rarely use soap as I was told on my DAFNE course it could give a false reading. It’s no wonder I have very dry hands!

 

[mikeyB]

This as an awful thread for newbies to read, we must appear to be a right bunch of carefree slobs

“Sometimes” is really “Hardly Ever”

Just to add to the mix, I was given a Tee2 meter last June. It came with ten free lancets. I’ve got eight left.

 

[Eddy Edson]

Next question: How many people floss religiously?

 

[Lilian]

The reason I am buying the libre is because, although I don't have total needle phobia, I got to a stage where I just could not prick my fingers any more. I would hover over my finger with the lancet pen, my stomach would churn, and I just could not do it. So I do tend to rely on the libre whatever it says. The only time I prick my finger is if it says LO, and I am fine with that, as a one off now and again.

 

[Ljc]

I am in the Sometimes group. Always when recovering from a hypo, after preparing or eating food . Years ago when first dx I was told just to rinse hands with hot water.

I went mad the other day and changed the lancet , I have no idea why as their is still a away to go till St Swithuns say

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well, I might if they were covered in grime from the garden...But generally, no, I don’t. Before meals I’m usually trying to test, bolus, stop the peas from boiling over, etc etc. And first thing in the morning, well, my hands were clean when I went to bed, I’m sure they haven’t got dirty in the night!

Robin’s posted my answer already! I only wash if my hands are obviously dirty from DIY / gardening / life. Or if they are sticky from handling something sweet, of course.

Bad habits ingrained over nearly 30 years I’m afraid. But I make sure to re-check any result that seems weird.

 

[trophywench]

I'm the same as everyone else, yes if they're mucky, otherwise no.

 

[mikeyB]

This is an awful thread for newbies to read, we must appear to be a right bunch of carefree slobs

“Sometimes” is really “Hardly Ever”

Just to add to the mix, I was given a Tee2 meter last June. It came with ten free lancets. I’ve got eight left.

 

[Grannylorraine]

I do wash my hands every time. As I always use the bathroom between 4.30 and 5 am I do count that as my fasting wash of hands even though it is an hour or so before the actual test.

 

[Kaylz]

Yes if I'm testing for fasting, before meals and before bed, no if I'm feeling low as don't have the time when feeling that awful lol xx