Skin the Pain
Checking blood glucose levels means pricking your finger to obtain a drop of blood. This, in turn, means sitting through painful pricking of the needles and later, sore fingers. Although some people say that they have gotten used to the pain, there still are people who say that they find it virtually painful. So, here are some tried-and-tested methods to make it less painful. Image courtesy: Getty Images
Check What’s Best for you
There are people who experience unbearable pain during blood glucose test. Thus, it is advisable for them to check which spot suits them the best. For some people one side of the pad placed close to the nail is a really comfortable place to prick. Similarly, you must also find yours. Image courtesy: Getty Images
Don’t Prick Finger Tips
The finger tips are highly sensitive and can be more painful to be pricked on than any other part of the finger. You can also pinch or put pressure on the place where you are going to test to seal it. This can reduce the pain significantly. Image courtesy: Getty Images
Avoid Using Alcohol to Sterilize Finger
When you use alcohol to sterilize the finger, it dries up the skin causing more cracking and pain. Instead of cleaning your finger with alcohol, wash it with warm water. Image courtesy: Getty Images
Keep alternating the Fingers
Use different fingers every time you prick to test blood glucose levels. Pick an easy-to-remember pattern so that you do not end up using the same finger over and over. If you have sore fingers don’t use them until they heal completely. Image courtesy: Getty Images
Avoid Re-using the Equipment
Each time you perform a test at home, use a new lancent. Lancents get dull when use them over and over, resulting in a more painful prick. Image courtesy: Getty Images
Do not Squeeze Blood from Fingertips
It is common practice to squeeze the finger tip in case enough blood does not ooze out from the prick. Avoid doing this and instead, hang your head down below the waist for five seconds. If needed, you can also squeeze bottom of the finger base and then move upwards without reaching the fingertip. Image courtesy: Getty Images
Pick the Right Blood Glucose Monitor
There are some blood-glucose monitors that require much less blood than others. Try to use those models. There are some other models that let you draw blood from other parts of the body other than fingers, like arms. Image courtesy: Getty Images
