Blood Glucose testing

[Gill P]

There are times when I do not have access to wash my hands prior to BG testing. Can anyone recommend a wipe that can be purchased instead please?

Thank you

 

[bulkbiker]

I rarely wash my hands before testing..

 

[Gill P]

Thank you

 

[david4503]

There are times when I do not have access to wash my hands prior to BG testing. Can anyone recommend a wipe that can be purchased instead please?

Thank you

You can use an alcohol swab as needed. I usually don’t wash my hands prior to a finger prick but if I have any doubts I’ll do that or use a swab if I’m out. Infections are unlikely but still possible.

 

[EllieM]

My main reasons for washing my hands before a test
1) I've been out in the garden and they are muddy
2) I've just had to eat a glucose tablet and I can't remember which hand I used to handle it...
3)I don't believe the result I just got.

Having said that, it's good practice to do so, I'm just lazy.

 

[david4503]

^Lazy maybe but okay lazy, if there is such a thing.

 

[sleepster]

You can use an alcohol swab as needed. I usually don’t wash my hands prior to a finger prick but if I have any doubts I’ll do that or use a swab if I’m out. Infections are unlikely but still possible.

Alcohol swabs can affect the result though can't they? I'm sure I've read on here before that the alcohol causes a lower BG reading than it actually is. Obviously it's a good idea to use them if your hands are particularly dirty though, or maybe just a wet wipe?

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[david4503]

^ I haven’t heard about that. The alcohol evaporates pretty quickly in any case.

 

[Gill P]

Thank you for all of the replies. I thought that alcohol wipes could affect BS hence I also wondered whether you can purchase small individual water wipes.

 

[lovinglife]

Alcohol swabs can affect the result though can't they? I'm sure I've read on here before that the alcohol causes a lower BG reading than it actually is. Obviously it's a good idea to use them if your hands are particularly dirty though, or maybe just a wet wipe?

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.

I was told by consultant when first diagnosed in hospital not to use alcohol wipes, I don’t often wash my hands before testing, if you think you are going to need to wipe your finger when out and about I sometimes put a dampened square of paper towel in a little sealed plastic bag in my test kit, but only if I think I’m going to need it.

In todays climate hopefully everyone is still washing their hands and using sanitizer frequently enough anyway

 

[NaijaChick]

You need diawipes little packets of wipes that you can carry in your case or purse. Absolutely recommend.

 

[AloeSvea]

After eight years of fingerpricking I have found that a small high mound of blood is best, and I dip the test strip 'end' at the top of it means I don't have to worry about clean fingers (ie no skin contact, just the blood, pure albeit sugary blood). Although, like EllieM - when I can't believe the result I will go off and give my fingers a good cleaning and retest. (I have to say though - the BG result is the same!)