Finger pricker

[TuTusweet]

OK so I'm a twerp. I've got an AccuChek Aviva kit. I thought the pricker blade automatically changed to a fresh one after each use. When it didn't I thought it was bust so moved it myself. Then I realised the same pricker can be used many many times. I suppose if it gets blunt it will just bounce off or leave a dent.
How often is it considered good practice to change the blade ? And does it matter ? I don't think the blade hangs around long enough for any blood to actually get on it before it withdraws. Or am I doing it wrong ??

 

[Osidge]

Hi TuTusweet

I was always told only to use each lancet once. Please see: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/Diabetes-lancets-and-lancing.html

Hope this helps

Doug

 

[CollieBoy]

The OFFICIAL advice is new lancet each time!
personally, I use the lancet for ~ 1 day, provided the environment is relatively "clean".

 

[mo1905]

Ideally change every time but many don't. I use mine for about a week ! Naughty but I've had no problems !

 

[carraway]

I use mine until it starts to hurt more.

 

[picklebean]

I change mine about once a week, sometimes less often if I forget. We're supposed to change it every time according to official advice, but I know many diabetics don't. I don't think it's as bad as re-using needles when injecting which can cause problems.

 

[mrman]

Lancets i change when they start to hurt too.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[Madbazoo]

I too change mine when it hurts and never had any problems. The advice is yet another example of NHS wasting money or getting us to support manufacturers profits.


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[Md.rose]

I used to change the lancet each time, and being type 2 those not nice people from NICE stopped my test strips and lancets.

I have a Code Free meter, bought it when my old Doctor retired and I had to change to a new one that implemented the NICE guidelines for type 2 diabetics. I now get one test strip a week! as the test strips for the Code Free meter is low compared to the other meters on the market, I bought one.

At this time I use the lancets for one week, and press the lancet back into the plastic to protect from contamination, and have had no problems from doing this.


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[Mud Island Dweller]

l have been testing since start November and changed it about 2 or 3 x. Not any reason about blunt, although probably is, just a case of oh wonder if l should change it that thought has to occur to me quite a few times before l bother changing it.