Finger "tips" for type 1 diabetes fingersticks

Perhaps one of the most jarring things to get used to when faced with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis are fingersticks. Needle-phobic or not, it doesn't feel normal to be sticking yourself several times a day — but fingerstick blood glucose checks are an important part of a healthy life with this condition.

While the prevalence of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has helped make type 1 diabetes fingersticks less frequent, it's still a vital piece of diabetes management. Here's what you need to know if fingersticks are a routine (or even occasional) part of your diabetes management.

How to make your fingerstick experience easier (and less painful)

No matter how long you or your loved one have been doing it, administering type 1 diabetes fingersticks can still be tough. Putting into place some best practices for keeping your fingersticks safe, easy, and as painless as possible will help make it a less stressful part of your regimen.

Here are a few tips and tricks that can help make the process of checking your blood sugar easier, faster, and less painful:

• Wash your hands to get a clean and accurate reading the first time. Use warm water and vigorously rub your hands to support circulation and encourage a speedy draw.
• Rotate test sites and use the fleshy sides of your finger. The sides of fingers have more blood vessels and fewer nerves. Taking turns with different sites gives them each the chance to heal before returning to that spot again.
• Apply pressure to the site to stop bleeding. If need be, you can always stick a bandage on it.
• Moisturize your hands regularly to keep skin healthy and soft. When calluses form on the fingers, it may take a higher setting on your lancing device to break through for a successful sample. The stronger setting and additional force needed to get through callused fingertips can cause pain, which can be avoided with regular hand care.
  

Common fingerstick mistakes to avoid

Fingersticks can be a tricky process to navigate. In addition to the above usage tips, it's also important to avoid certain actions:

• When possible, avoid using alcohol to clean the finger, as it can cause cracking due to drying out the skin, resulting in more pain. Simple hand-washing with soap and water works well in place of alcohol.
• Don't forget to change your lancet. It's recommended that you change your lancet after each use. If that's not realistic for you, just keep in mind that every use makes the lancet duller, which means you'll need more force to get the desired result.
• It's not necessary to select a setting on your lancing device that's stronger than what you need. Start on a low setting and move higher if necessary — not the other way around.

Considerations for fingerstick site safety

Fingerstick hygiene is important for safe and effective blood glucose checking. Remember to clean your hands prior to lancing and change your lancet often. Also, lancets and needles should never be shared with others — each lancet should only be used by one person, and discarded safely after use.

Keep an eye out for fingerstick sites that look red or feel swollen, as these can be signs of infection. If you're concerned about the feel or appearance of the site, reach out to your physician to get prompt treatment.

Whether you're new to the club or you've been taking care of your diabetes for decades, these finger "tips" will help make type 1 diabetes fingersticks a less painful piece of your diabetes management regimen.

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