Monitoring blood sugar is a daily routine for people with diabetes, but do you know how to do it accurately and with minimal pain? Let's learn these tips together!

Which Finger Is Best for Pricking?

Prefer the ring finger or little finger!

Reasons are as follows:

• Less Pain: The ring finger and little finger have relatively fewer nerve endings, making pricking less painful.
• Lower Risk of Infection: These two fingers are used less frequently in daily life, reducing exposure to bacteria.
• Moderate Blood Circulation: The fingertips have adequate but not excessive blood supply, making them suitable for blood collection.

Reminder: It's best to alternate fingers for blood collection to avoid repeated punctures in the same area, which can lead to skin hardening!

Disinfection Methods: Alcohol vs. Iodophor

✅ Recommended: 75% Medical Alcohol

• Fast Evaporation: After disinfection, wait 10-15 seconds before blood collection to avoid affecting blood sugar readings.
• Effective Sterilization: Effectively cleans bacteria on the skin surface.
• Cost-Effective: Easily available at pharmacies and affordable.

⚠️ Caution: Use Iodophor with Care!

• May Interfere with Results: Iodine in iodophor can react with enzymes in test strips, leading to falsely elevated blood sugar readings.
• Special Circumstances: If allergic to alcohol or if there is skin damage, iodophor can be used for disinfection, but ensure it is completely dry before blood collection (approximately 2-3 minutes).

How to Measure More Accurately?

1. Wash and Warm Your Hands
2. Wash hands with warm water to promote blood circulation.
3. In cold weather, gently massage fingers to warm the fingertips.
4. Correct Blood Collection
5. Choose the side of the finger rather than the center (less painful).
6. Use an appropriate lancet depth to avoid going too deep.
7. Gently press from the base of the finger toward the fingertip to form a blood drop.
8. Avoid Interfering Factors
9. Do not measure blood sugar immediately after applying hand cream or cosmetics.
10. Ensure test strips are within their expiration date and stored under suitable conditions.
11. After blood collection, apply gentle pressure; avoid squeezing hard (tissue fluid can affect accuracy).
12. Record and Observe
13. Record the measurement time, diet, and medication intake.
14. Regularly compare blood sugar values at the same time of day to understand trends.

Summary of Tips✨

• Finger Selection: Alternate between the ring finger and little finger, avoiding repeated pricks in the same area.
• Preferred Disinfectant: 75% alcohol, wait until fully evaporated before blood collection.
• Use Iodophor with Caution: If necessary, ensure it is completely dry before measuring.
• Key Details: Wash and warm hands, collect blood correctly, and avoid interfering factors.

Master these tips, and blood sugar monitoring will no longer be a stressful task! Remember to calibrate your glucose meter regularly, and if abnormal readings occur, recheck promptly or consult a doctor!