Diabetes Tips: Give the "finger" to Painful Finger Pricks

I am a person with diabetes, and for nearly 2 years now I have been testing myself, on my fingers multiple times a day. It took me a few painful months to get a routine down that allowed me to obtain enough blood for testing without the pain of a deep, sharp finger prick from a lancet. Here I will list for you a few of the things I have learned on my journey with diabetes.

Purchase thin style, small gage lancets.

These are the best style of lancets I have found. You don't even need to buy the more expensive name brand lancets, store brand is fine as long as the package reads "thin". I find this type is more sharp and allows less penetration.

Before you go poking, know where to poke.

I personally like to use my index, middle or ring finger for testing. Once you have a finger chosen, make sure that you always test the tip of the finger on the side. Never test on the pads of your finger or very top as you use this part of your finger the most. If you do a finger prick and penetrate to deep you will bruise your finger tip and if you test on the pad of your finger you will feel pain every time you pick something up, until the bruise goes away. So remember, always the side of the finger never right in the middle.

Find the gage that's right for you.

This may take a few trial and error tests to get it right, but finding the right gage to set you lancet pen at is very important to get a pain free finger prick. Gage degree will vary from one device to the next and depend primarily on your age, gender and profession. If you are a man who works with his hands and has a thicker skin your gage setting will be different from a women of advanced age. The best way to begin is to start at 1 and work your way up.

Test with your finger tips pointing down & below your heart.

If you are pricking your finger, with your finger tips pointing up the blood will have to travel up to come out. By pointing your finger down and testing the blood will be able to come out easier.

Squeeze your fingertip for more blood.

If not enough blood has come out, try squeezing the tip of your finger to help the blood come out. If still no blood, do another finger tip prick as the blood may have already clotted stopping the bleed.

Always remember to wash your hands before and after you prick your fingers for testing to keep from getting infections.