Today, with the need for CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring), we are left with no other option but to prick our fingers every other day to manage our blood sugar levels.
Measuring your blood sugar shouldn’t be painful in any manner. However, many patients often complain about the pain brought about by irksome pricking, or even about an unpleasant development of calluses at their fingertips. But it will no longer happen if you consider a couple of things while measuring your blood sugar levels.
Over 2 decades from now, lancing devices resembled rather a guillotine or you might have heard of instances of steel lancets getting rammed into the finger. The deep needle or lancet goes, the more painful it gets. Many elderlies who have been using traditional lancing devices accept that when now they take a close look at their fingers, all looks well! No calluses, no redness, and no red spots.
When it is such a breeze to get it done, the only unfortunate thing about these devices is that most patients rarely have the know-how on the right way to measure their blood sugar. One really has to pay attention to just a couple of important things here:
1. The Device: Today, most balancing devices work the same way. Each device offers the flexibility of adjusting the needle before pricking your finger. You can choose the depth as per your requirement. Start with a light setting and move on to the correct depth for deeper penetration.
The minimal setting on the scale is meant for the lowest penetration depth. Also, these days you can find special devices that are designed to cause less pain and irritation.
2. Placing your lancing device: Well, there is no rocket science to follow here. Never do it with the center instead, use the side of your finger to prick! If you place the lancing device on the side of your finger, the poking sensation will be comparatively milder. The reason for the same is that there are fewer nerve endings on the side of your finger than in the middle of your fingertip. Easy-peasy right?
3. Rotation: It is common to get into a pattern of pricking the same spot again and again. But, rotating the spots for pricking is the best way to avoid the pain. Also, not many people know that they can test at other parts as well. You can also test on your forearms or palms. But before you do that, it is important to have all the information before trying new testing areas.
4. Changing your balancing device: Changing your POCT lancet regularly can drastically reduce the pain you feel. Using an old lancet is like trying to cut meat with a bread knife. It is painful and more difficult.
Harry Smith is the author of the article. To know more information about lancing device please visit the website.
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