swimming and bms

[shellyk]

Hi all, just a quick question, as school hols just about brave enough 5 months after diagnosis to take my daughter swimming again, might seem a strange question but will the chemicals in the water effect her BM reading so does she need to go back the changing room to wash hands before testing,

Thanks
Shellyk

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi Shellyk, I wouldnt think that chlorine plus whatever else is in swimming pool water would affect bg readings but I dont know the definitive answer here so I would test a couple of times after dying the finger and if the results are not as expected then perhaps take a small bottle of hand cleaner and use that prior to testing, I do that when I go fishing as I tend to have all sorts on my hands then.

 

[phoenix]

Certainly doesn't affect mine and I swim most days in summer.
I have to be careful about lows though, if I lived in the pool I don't think I would be diabetic at all!

 

[SophiaW]

We've never had a problem with the chemicals in the water. I think they are so diluted that it doesn't make a difference. Be aware that your daughter's readings may fall due to the exercise so she may need a small carby snack before she gets into the water. It all depends how much energy she's going to burn. Water can sometimes mask the symptoms of a hypo so keep an eye out for her. With my daughter we usually let her swim/play for an hour in the water, then she needs to come out and do a test to see how her readings are doing. She's on the pump so may need a quick top up of insulin or a snack all depending on how the readings are looking.

 

[noblehead]

Shell,

I personally would wash my hands first if it was convenient, failing that just make sure the hands are completely dry before testing.

Nigel