Hand sanitizer

[Spireite72]

just wanted to ask is hand gel (sanitizer) ok to use to clean your hands before finger testing. Now I’m allowed to drive and I’m more likely to be out and about when needing to test. Didn’t want to use it if it could give false readings.

 

[khskel]

I've always been advised to steer clear but I have also seen studies which show any effect on the result is minimal.

 

[trophywench]

Do you have a really mucky job then? - I mean if I'd just been potting or planting some plants, or scrubbing a lavatory or garden detritus, moss etc off the drain cover, guttering, just been to the loo, chopping raw meat or mixing any recipe by hand (eg stirring sugar into crumble mix) - then I would wash my hands. However I don't otherwise find it necessary to do anything, though I have been known to spit on that finger and rub it with a tissue when running water wasn't immediately available and I thought it might be an idea - after a long day on the beach or something, before driving home?

 

[mikeyB]

Just wash and dry your hands using soap and water. There’s no need to sanitise your skin - when you have a blood test, nurses no longer clean your skin with alcohol wipes.

 

[Lanny]

I learnt a handy tip from a video posted on a meter company’s website, GlucoRx I think, when you can’t wash your hands while out & about. I cut up little squares, an inch or so wide, of tissue, I use toilet roll, & put them in my testing kit in my handbag. Prick your finger & use the tissue to wipe away the first drop of blood. Then squeeze a second drop of blood to test!

I used to use wipes in my handbag testing kit but, learnt that they, especially alcohol based ones, can give false lower BS readings if there’s any trace of residue!

 

[Spireite72]

Thanks I’ll give it a miss then

 

[trophywench]

In approx. 1973 the GP I had then told me as long as people were 'socially clean' he supposed re-using needles and lancets (needles especially were in very short supply at that time) wouldn't cause any problem when they were in a single person's use.

I said Thank you - but what the heck does 'socially clean' mean?

Can't remember the exact words but just means generally clean - washing regularly and not smelling !

He was not a man you could ever joke with or chat to.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Just wash and dry your hands using soap and water. There’s no need to sanitise your skin - when you have a blood test, nurses no longer clean your skin with alcohol wipes.

I think this was for in the car with no sink available Mike.

Like others, I would just go ahead and test without washing hands in the car, as long as my hands weren’t obviously mucky.

 

[JMyrtle]

I wondered if testing when your hands were damp from washing would show a lower reading as the blood drop was slightly "diluted" if you get my drift.
I also wondered about fabric conditioner in the towel when drying my hands.
I also scored over twelve once and then realised I has just rinsed a sieve full of rice without washing my hands again before doing my test.
I also have a tendency to over think things!

 

[Kaylz]

I wondered if testing when your hands were damp from washing would show a lower reading as the blood drop was slightly "diluted" if you get my drift.
I also wondered about fabric conditioner in the towel when drying my hands.
I also scored over twelve once and then realised I has just rinsed a sieve full of rice without washing my hands again before doing my test.
I also have a tendency to over think things!

Yes to the first, second I highly doubt it makes a difference, third I'm not convinced about as there isn't that much sugar in rice and that's what it's measuring that's why you can test a drink to see whether its a normal or diet xx

 

[JMyrtle]

Well I washed my hands and retested and back down into the sixes where it should have been so maybe a dodgy strip?
Interested in your comment about testing drinks, could you elaborate please as that would be very useful on holiday.

 

[Kaylz]

Well I washed my hands and retested and back down into the sixes where it should have been so maybe a dodgy strip?
Interested in your comment about testing drinks, could you elaborate please as that would be very useful on holiday.

Yes possibly a dodgy strip or you had something else on your finger, just dip a test strip when in the meter into your drink, if its a normal one it will give a high sugar reading xx

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I suspect the starch in the rice may have broken down in the boiling water, certainly rinsing it stops it clumping together as much, that suggests there is a residue somewhere.

 

[trophywench]

I suspect the starch in the rice may have broken down in the boiling water, certainly rinsing it stops it clumping together as much, that suggests there is a residue somewhere.

Indeed - when you cut spuds up prior to cooking them and do it on a work surface or on a stainless steel draining board - an amazing amount of raw starch is left on the surface you use and more on the knife. Hence if you don't rise your hands thereafter and let them air dry then test - I should think your BG would show as high as a kite, because the blood sitting on the skin surrounding the hole you just made in it will pick up even more of it.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Indeed - when you cut spuds up prior to cooking them and do it on a work surface or on a stainless steel draining board - an amazing amount of raw starch is left on the surface you use and more on the knife. Hence if you don't rise your hands thereafter and let them air dry then test - I should think your BG would show as high as a kite, because the blood sitting on the skin surrounding the hole you just made in it will pick up even more of it.

Very true, lots more than just pure sugar that spikes you

 

[PhoebeC]

Well I washed my hands and retested and back down into the sixes where it should have been so maybe a dodgy strip?
Interested in your comment about testing drinks, could you elaborate please as that would be very useful on holiday.

If you think you have been given full sugar cola or whatever when you asked for diet, did the strip in the drink and if its a high amount its not diet or zero, and make a fuss about it! If nothing then you are safe.

 

[PhoebeC]

Also I use hand gel, but the none alcohol stuff only hard to find.