Finger pricking

Status
Not open for further replies.
Newbie777

Newbie777

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello,

Do you have any tips on finger pricking when taking blood for the BG monitor?

i am now testing my BG around 6 times a day and find them very sore.

I am using the no.2 setting on my pen and swoping fingers/using the side of my fingers.

Thanks
 
Do not press the lancing device too hard against the finger, so you let the needle just flick at it rather than it forcing itself in deep.

Position the device closer to the pad of the finger than to the nail, as the skin is softer.

Once you get it right you will not feel anything. The deeper it goes and the thicker the skin you prick the more it will hurt.
 
helli said:
My top tip would be to warm your fingers. Blood flows more easily and closer to the surface when warm to you may be able to reduce your Lancet depth.
Holding a hot cuppa is usually enough for me.
Click to expand...
Thank you,

Will def try that now
 
Becka said:
Do not press the lancing device too hard against the finger, so you let the needle just flick at it rather than it forcing itself in deep.

Position the device closer to the pad of the finger than to the nail, as the skin is softer.

Once you get it right you will not feel anything. The deeper it goes and the thicker the skin you prick the more it will hurt.
Click to expand...
Thank you,

Some good tips there for me to try out.

I
 
Rotate your testing finger. I don't need to test much now, but back when I did I would use both sides of each of my 8 fingers - so 16 different sites meaning there was always around 48hrs before pricking in roughly the same place again. But be aware that the bigger the finger (usually) the thicker the skin so the higher the setting on the Lancing device.
 
I use the Accu-Chek Fast Clix, and I have found it to be the best I have used, and I find I never have to adjust, and rarely get a sore fingers. I bought it in Boots they often have them on offer.
 
Thank you.

Yes I do struggle with the bigger fingers.

I just need to remember which finger I did and when!
 
Hi @Newbie777 , I usually start with the left hand and go down the fingers in order (both sides) and then the right hand so you can literally go fasting, pre breakfast etc til you find the finger/meal break you're testing. Hope that helps 🙂
 
Thank you,

Good idea, I will try that now.

i am hoping to look at twice or three times maximum a day, but stuck at the moment as there a few changes I am going through.
 
Anitram said:
8 fingers? Thought it was only 6 as we are advised not to use index fingers (nor thumbs).
Click to expand...
Well i never knew that! but tend to use the others as easier to draw blood. Have to up the needle depth for forefinger and thumb so rarely use.
 
grovesy said:
I use the Accu-Chek Fast Clix, and I have found it to be the best I have used, and I find I never have to adjust, and rarely get a sore fingers. I bought it in Boots they often have them on offer.
Click to expand...
I also use this one but when not on offer they are really expensive. So I order mine at the pharmacy counter rather than picking them off the shelf and then you only pay wholesale price. (same price as when on offer). Boots chemist.
 
jill-mc said:
So I order mine at the pharmacy counter rather than picking them off the shelf and then you only pay wholesale price. (same price as when on offer). Boots chemist.
Click to expand...
Is that just reclaiming the VAT? In which case just asking the pharmacist and filling in the form should be sufficient.

(Come to think of it, I'm not certain a finger pricking device qualifies. I imagine it does; it's just that the one I'm using is years old and was included with a meter. I've never bought one separately.)
 
Bruce Stephens said:
Is that just reclaiming the VAT? In which case just asking the pharmacist and filling in the form should be sufficient.

(Come to think of it, I'm not certain a finger pricking device qualifies. I imagine it does; it's just that the one I'm using is years old and was included with a meter. I've never bought one separately.)
Click to expand...
Not sure about that. I use lots of Accu-chec strips at the moment and it's these I was talking about. Sorry I wasn't very clear about that, was I? LOL. It does save me quite a few pennies though by going to the pharmacy counter.
 
Anitram said:
8 fingers? Thought it was only 6 as we are advised not to use index fingers (nor thumbs).
Click to expand...
Oh! I thought it was pinkies and thumbs we should avoido_O
 
Anitram said:
8 fingers? Thought it was only 6 as we are advised not to use index fingers (nor thumbs).
Click to expand...
Yes that's I was told to do, also clean hands with soap not alcohol gel and rinse in water and dry well.
 
I use all fingers but leave thumbs as back up.
For example, when I trapped a finger in the car door, I used my thumb instead.

I rotate my fingers by splitting the day into 4 - between each meal and “night time”.
Odd dates use my left hand and even dates I use my right (today is 6th Feb so even date to right hand).

Since I heard paramedics avoid alcohol wipes before doing finger pricks because the alcohol affects blood sugar readings, I avoid alcohol wipes.
 
My preferred method is very similar to @helli. I alternate hands (and side of each finger if I can remember) each day, and in the same order starting with the pinky. For example, the left side of fingers on the left hand then left side for same fingers on the right hand, then alternate sides between each hand.

I was also advised to not use thumb or index finger when first diagnosed. I believe the pad below the thumb can be used as a 'back-up' if needed due to finger soreness or injury.
 
Anitram said:
8 fingers? Thought it was only 6 as we are advised not to use index fingers (nor thumbs).
Click to expand...

I have never been told to avoid any finger, just to not use the pads. Most of the time I only use the insides of the third and fourth fingers of the left hand as those are easiest to access being right handed, and usually painless. The skin fifth (little) can be too soft and the second (index) too thick that they are the ones that are painful when I mess up.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top