Hand sanitizer before BG testing.

[Alisonjane10]

Hello

Can anyone tell me if it's ok to use hand sanitizer gel prior to using a lancet. And will it affect the BG reading. I ask as I'm not always near soap & water when travelling etc so rely on the hand sanitizer. All replies & advice gratefully received.

Ali.

 

[CollieBoy]

Ali,
If no soap/water is available I would use the hand sanitizer (as it MAY affect the readings but not enough to mask problems).
Given the accuracy of meters one/two "glitch readings" won't skew your results too far (I note things like this beside my result)
Better still compare your sanitizer readings with soap/water readings to find one with minimal effect so you have a known expected effect.

 

[Riri]

I always avoid the hand sanitisers as I've read they can squiff readings. Diawipes are available on Amazon - got sent a trial pack once when I bought a vial protector sleeve. Very useful but a bit pricey although handy to have a few packs for travel maybe? Normally, I alway fill a small plastic spray container (99p from a chemist) full of tap water and pop it in my bag/coat. Then just spray finger and wipe off - use a tissue if I have one or trousers if I don't!

 

[iHs]

Ive never bothered to use a sanitiser. If out, I just prick further back on the base of my finger or quickly try to find a tap somewhere to run hand under to get rid of any substance that may interfere with the bg result on my meter.

 

[Pasha]

The best is to buy some Isopropyl alcohol swabs from your local chemist. Simple to carry around.

https://www.google.co.il/search?q=S...MKPM9DkaLCTgMAO&ved=0CD8QsAQ&biw=1595&bih=787

 

[jack412]

am I the only one that licks my finger ?

 

[Pasha]

on which hand ?

 

[jack412]

 

[CollieBoy]

am I the only one that licks my finger ?

Not when I've been "muck spreading"

 

[Robinredbreast]

am I the only one that licks my finger ?

Erm no, I have had to do that before, but needs must sometimes

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I either lick my finger or don't do anything. I may rinse under the tap if it's nearby or even wash with soap. I wouldn't be too fussy as the blood droplet is large compared with any 'dirt' on the skin unless it's something unusual.

 

[jackois]

Be careful of the alcohol wipes. I found that they affected the blood test result upward.

 

[Robbity]

am I the only one that licks my finger ?

I do sometimes if nothing else is around that I can clean up with, but like @Daibell I generally don't bother if my hands are clean anyway. But I always do a post prick lick to get rid of that bloody drop. I believe saliva is quite sanitary, and it's certainly convenient, very cheap, and permanently close to (errrm) hand...

Robbity

 

[Sjr83x]

I always used to be able to get wipes on prescription. Saying that I've been diabetic for 17years now and it's been a long time since I bothered with them (16 years) but if you can get cotton wool on your prescription in pretty sure you can get something to clean your finger!!

 

[urbanracer]

Be careful of the alcohol wipes. I found that they affected the blood test result upward.

Yes, sure I've read somewhere that you should avoid anything with alcohol in when washing hands for blood test.

 

[June_C]

In with all the paperwork I was originally given, there was a note saying that hand cream, alcohol gel, newspaper print and wet wipes would affect the accuracy of bg results. As a suggestion, why not soak some kitchen roll in water and store it in one of those re-sealable sandwich/freezer bags. Hey presto, uncontaminated wet wipes that shouldn't take up much room in your bag.