Type 1 - Why such a difference between these BGs?

[sg295]

I don’t do many finger pricks anymore because of using the freestyle libre.

However, before I got this, I was of course having to do them a lot and get through test strips like there’s no tomorrow!

I found that if I didn’t/couldn’t wash my hands before I tested it can make a bit difference! My DSN told me that even things like hand sanitiser or other kind of health/beauty products on hands could make a difference.

To combat this, if I was out and about and there weren’t really any hand washing facilities available, I had a little pack of ‘diawipes’ on me, specially designed to clean fingers for finger prick testing and they are completely free from anything that could affect the result (pretty sure they’re just water based) so might be worth giving them a try if you’re unable to wash hands before testing 🙂

 

[rayray119]

I don’t do many finger pricks anymore because of using the freestyle libre.

However, before I got this, I was of course having to do them a lot and get through test strips like there’s no tomorrow!

I found that if I didn’t/couldn’t wash my hands before I tested it can make a bit difference! My DSN told me that even things like hand sanitiser or other kind of health/beauty products on hands could make a difference.

To combat this, if I was out and about and there weren’t really any hand washing facilities available, I had a little pack of ‘diawipes’ on me, specially designed to clean fingers for finger prick testing and they are completely free from anything that could affect the result (pretty sure they’re just water based) so might be worth giving them a try if you’re unable to wash hands before testing 🙂

Would they completely remove surger after treating a hypo though?

 

[sg295]

Would they completely remove surger after treating a hypo though?

Whenever I used them they seemed to be pretty good and as accurate as if I had washed my hands!

The only thing I will say though is to ensure the finger is completely dry after using them, otherwise the blood can come out a bit runny and give an inaccurate reading.

Hope that helps 🙂

 

[Kaylz]

Would they completely remove surger after treating a hypo though?

What do you use to treat hypo's? If I was going somewhere I couldn't wash my hands I'd stick treatment in a small food bag and tip into my mouth rather than needing to touch them for this reason (my partners grans funeral being a prime example), I still even do the tip thing now at home with my Lift tabs to save on yet another mammoth hand washing session

 

[Lily123]

Hand sanitiser is a good thing because it helps stop Covid but unless you can get an alcohol free one then the alcohol in it can sometimes effects what the BG meter says

 

[rayray119]

What do you use to treat hypo's? If I was going somewhere I couldn't wash my hands I'd stick treatment in a small food bag and tip into my mouth rather than needing to touch them for this reason (my partners grans funeral being a prime example), I still even do the tip thing now at home with my Lift tabs to save on yet another mammoth hand washing session

Jelly babbies wine gums, dextose tablets, some other sweets. What ever i have really.

 

[rayray119]

Hand sanitiser is a good thing because it helps stop Covid but unless you can get an alcohol free one then the alcohol in it can sometimes effects what the BG meter says

I try to look for achool.free ones but not always easiser. Its also hard when living in a shared house and the soup which is brought with shared money is offem semted which interfires with readings to.

 

[Lily123]

I try to look for achool.free ones but not always easiser. Its also hard when living in a shared house and the soup which is brought with shared money is offem semted which interfires with readings to.

Finding alcohol free hand sanitiser can be a bit tricky.

 

[Lucyr]

If I was treating a hypo and couldn’t wash my hands after, I’d just make sure only to touch the jelly baby or whatever with one hand, then test using the other hand. You can use two hands to open the packet if needed, but try and only touch them with one hand. Below a certain point of blood sugar though, treating is always more important than testing. You’ll know when you start to feel more human again if you really can’t clean hands to retest.

 

[rayray119]

If I was treating a hypo and couldn’t wash my hands after, I’d just make sure only to touch the jelly baby or whatever with one hand, then test using the other hand. You can use two hands to open the packet if needed, but try and only touch them with one hand. Below a certain point of blood sugar though, treating is always more important than testing. You’ll know when you start to feel more human again if you really can’t clean hands to retest.

But it can also take a a bit longer to feel beter somtimes once there are back in range

 

[Lucyr]

But it can also take a a bit longer to feel beter somtimes once there are back in range

Yes exactly, so if you’ve treated a hypo, are unable to wash hands before retesting but the number is fine and you feel better, then you probably are at a safe blood sugar even if the blood result is contaminated with sugar.