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Finger pricks and cold fingers driving me mad

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Lulu0909

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Has anyone else had trouble getting the hang of taking BG readings by finger prick kits? It might be because my hands are often cold but I find it hard to get a good dollop of blood out, then often I don’t put the strip in at the right angle so I get an error message. I want to throw the bloody thing out the window!! Last night I ended up with discarded strips all over the shop, blood and sweat all over my hands like some sort of diabetes horror show. Any tips??
 
There is only one way to put the strip in the meter so it makes contact, if it's not in straight or far enough it will not turn on (Accu-Chek Performa, Freedom Lite, Contour Next).

The strip will suck enough blood up into the slot itself.

Wash your hands before testing in hot water, move to a warmer clime etc.
 
Lulu0909 said:
Has anyone else had trouble getting the hang of taking BG readings by finger prick kits? It might be because my hands are often cold but I find it hard to get a good dollop of blood out, then often I don’t put the strip in at the right angle so I get an error message. I want to throw the bloody thing out the window!! Last night I ended up with discarded strips all over the shop, blood and sweat all over my hands like some sort of diabetes horror show. Any tips??
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This worked for me, especially on my little fingers: Hold the little finger up vertically and put the nail against the pads of your index and middle finger, which should trap your remaining finger against the middle finger. With the thumb of the same hand press against the top joint of the little finger which should squeeze blood towards the tip. Prick the little finger at roughly 10 o'clock, rather than on the very tip. Hope this works!
 
Grant_Vicat said:
This worked for me, especially on my little fingers: Hold the little finger up vertically and put the nail against the pads of your index and middle finger, which should trap your remaining finger against the middle finger. With the thumb of the same hand press against the top joint of the little finger which should squeeze blood towards the tip. Prick the little finger at roughly 10 o'clock, rather than on the very tip. Hope this works!
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Thanks Grant, that’s a great tip!!
 
I usually warm my fingers on a cuppa before stabbing.
I also purchased some USB charged handwarmers a few years ago and keep these in my bag when out in the winter for the same reason.

So, to answer the question "how to get blood out of cold fingers", my answer would be "warm them up first".
 
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