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Lots of testing = scabby fingers! :)

Jubblyjo1601

Well-Known Member
Messages
80
Location
Hertfordshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Sorry for the slightly gross topic but I wondered if anyone has any tips for my fingertips!

I have increased the amount of testing I am doing having just gone on the pump, however, I am noticing my fingertips getting worse with scabs and dry skin, which in turn is making testing slightly more difficult. Anyone use anything specific to help this that that can suggest to me? I change my needle every day - am I doing something wrong?

Jo

xxx
 
Make sure the lancing device is on the lowest setting (but obviously enough to penetrate the skin).
 
I hope someone will be along to offer advice soon, as it's been mentioned a few times.

I wouldn't recommend my method, although I'm type 2, I did test a lot initially, and while I didn't get dry skin, I did notice a lot of red dots, almost like a tattoo, that became semi permanent.

I actually sanded them out when I was working one day.
Extreme exfoliation, plus the benefits of no fingerprints for a few days!

Maybe a moisturiser would be better, so long as you don't contaminate the sample.
 

I guess a very light go with a nail file might be worth a go I'll keep trying with the moisturisers as well. Thanks
 
Jubblyjo1601 said:
Hmmm... mine seems to be on the highest setting... I will give this a go too!
Click to expand...

Ouch

I use the Accu-Chek lancing device and have it on setting 2 which is just enough to draw blood, any higher and it does admittedly hurt.
 
You shouldn't be poking your finger tips try the side of fingers and use some hand cream to keep fingers nice and soft remembering to wash hand before testing obviously.
 
I had 3 incidents of DKA before Christmas and it lead to wild fluctuations in my BG readings ever since. That made me feel I had to test very frequently to spot - and stop - any trend towards an uncontrolled high BG.
To avoid the nasty consequences on my poor fingertips, I took to testing on the middle and lower pads of my fingers and, when they too became tender, to using the edge of my palms as well. That meant that an area which had been used for testing had time to heal before it had to be used again. Wash your hands in warm water beforehand, if possible - it softens the skin beautifully.
 
Over 40 yrs of finger pricking started to leave a toll on my fingers resulting in hard skin like guitar playing with tiny black holes. I got paranoid about it and fed up so got a pumice stone and attacked the hard skin in a bowl of soapy water. I then stared pricking elsewhere. .....arms were ok but left unsightly red holes, earlobes were also ok but a bit difficult and needed a mirror. Toes were also ok but no good when fully dressed. Although I have tried pricking the sides of my fingers and the palms, I've found that pricking the front of my fingers just below the nail bed and digit on a setting of just 1 or even 0.5 is all that is needed to draw a drop of blood sufficient for a teststrip and this doesn't result in prick holes.
 
Hi Jubblyjo, sorry to hear you're having testing problems. I too am on pump. I change my lancet each time I test, and also have a finger pricking device with two different types of end cap- one for fingers and one for pads of hand, arm etc. Your clinic should be able to give you one of these - various companies make them. Can't remember which type mine is, but definitely got it from clinic. Hope this helps.
 
 
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