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Type 1: Hand cream?

Ljm84

Ljm84

Member
Messages
21
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I know are all told we need to wash our hands before every blood glucose test ... one of our many rules, but this is real life and WE know that's not how it works.

Before type 1 I used to use hand cream, now I avoid it because if I wake up with a hypo in the night or am out walking I can't always wash my hands before testing.
I've tried with coconut oil on it's own but it's not quite hit the spot.
Has anyone come up with a better solution? I've got sore hands :(
 
I use aveeno hand cream and I quite like that and find it makes my hands quite soft and not greasy. I've not had any issues with testing when using it.
 
I can second Aveeno hand cream...it's brilliant. I have double checked previously to see if it affects my readings and doesn't appear to make any real difference. I have to say though...since using the libre...I feel like I have brand new hands :)
 
Ljm84 said:
I know are all told we need to wash our hands before every blood glucose test ... one of our many rules, but this is real life and WE know that's not how it works.

Before type 1 I used to use hand cream, now I avoid it because if I wake up with a hypo in the night or am out walking I can't always wash my hands before testing.
I've tried with coconut oil on it's own but it's not quite hit the spot.
Has anyone come up with a better solution? I've got sore hands :(
Click to expand...
Put a glass of water by your bed and use it to rinse the finger when you need to test in the middle of the night. Silly solution but I cant find any other :) I don't use hand creams as often as I used to for that reason
 
You could use Shea butter or Shea butter soap the soap is a good cleansing agent but can also act as moisturiser and it is reputedly very good for the skin.
 
@Ljm84 I use hand creams a number of times a day. I don't find they affect my blood sugar readings at all. The only time I've had an issue with them is if I put lots on and then suddenly need to test as sometimes the blood droplet forms strangely on a very moisturised finger.

I've used lots of different hand creams. My favourites are Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream, Atrixo Regenerating, and Garnier Intensive 7 Days Cream.

So you may find that you can use them as normal without any problem.
 
Aveeno here too - use the skin repair from the same range on my psoriasis too and keeps it lovely and soft- it doesn't seem to affect my testing
 
I use hand creams alot as I have dry hands and don't have an issue with BG testing, obviously I don't put it on just before I test but then I don't always wash my hands before testing either as most of the time it's hard to do such as before driving, when in a rush that type of thing, it's not something I ever get worried about as we have alot to think about already ;)
 
You could always wash hands thoroughly then test then apply hand cream and test again and see if there is a significant difference.
 
I often don't wash my hands all the time either. But then I do wash my hands a lot and use sanitiser when i can't get to water. But I find with the Aveeno hand cream I can get away with applying it every 2nd day and it keeps my hands in great condition. If I forget that is when I start seeing my hands getting dry and callouses again.
 
Ljm84 said:
Has anyone come up with a better solution? I've got sore hands :(
Click to expand...

You can buy alcohol free products that are suitable for bg testing when out and about and there's no access to hand washing facility's, one is called Dia-Wipe.

When out I just use bottled water or wipe away the first lot of blood and test from the second drop.
 
Thanks guys. Lots of votes for aveeno here but the company that makes that is involved in animal testing so I'd like to avoid them.
I'll maybe try the Shea butter or the body shop and like a few of you have done; try testing to see if they change my BG result.
 
Ljm84 said:
Thanks guys. Lots of votes for aveeno here but the company that makes that is involved in animal testing so I'd like to avoid them.
I'll maybe try the Shea butter or the body shop and like a few of you have done; try testing to see if they change my BG result.
Click to expand...

If you go for the Body Shop Hemp one, I'd recommend the one in the tube (rather than pot). I was amazed at how well it moisturised the first time I used it. Ive since bought other products in the range, but the tube hand cream is the best, in my opinion.

Edited to add that it's not cheap but a little goes a long way and they often have offers on.
 
Mainuld said:
Is it good or best in the market?
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I'm sure everyone has their own preference for products.... but I stick to aveeno for my body and nivea for my face. Aveeno is non greasy which I like and it tends to stop any itching real quick as it has colloidal oatmeal in it.... also dermatologist recommended. It seems to get good reviews from what I've seen.
 
This is going to sound very bad but I very rarely wash my hands when I do my bloods. I have tested doing my bloods then washing my hands and doing it again straight away and to be perfectly honest the blood glucose hasn't changed. I guess of course if you have eaten something sugary and there is sugar traces on your skin that would make a difference but others I don't see the really NEED. Anyway, that is just my opinion. Everybody's body is different.
 
I've yet to find a hand cream that causes elevated blood glucose readings when I test and I have double-checked with every new cream I buy.

I work in science labs so moisturise a lot. Some of my favourites are the Neutrogena Norweigan formula and the Body shop Hemp cream and Vaseline Intensive Care. Might give the Aveeno a whirl next time...
 
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