There's no need to sterilize your finger with alcohol before pricking it for a blood sugar reading. In fact, there are several reasons not to do it.
You don't want an infection on your poor pincushion fingertips, right? If the concern causes you to swab your digit with alcohol before your blood sugar check, switch to soap and water instead. Here are three reasons why it might be better:
* The test strip that measures your glucose levels are made with a substance that reacts to sugar by turning color. Alcohol can destroy this substance and cause a false low blood glucose reading.
* Alcohol dries out your skin and can lead to broken skin near your nails.
* If all the alcohol doesn't evaporate before you stick your finger, you may feel stinging as well as the discomfort of the poke.
Washing and drying your hands is all you need to prevent infection. Just be sure that your hands are dry and that you've gotten all the soap off before you do your reading.
You don't want an infection on your poor pincushion fingertips, right? If the concern causes you to swab your digit with alcohol before your blood sugar check, switch to soap and water instead. Here are three reasons why it might be better:
* The test strip that measures your glucose levels are made with a substance that reacts to sugar by turning color. Alcohol can destroy this substance and cause a false low blood glucose reading.
* Alcohol dries out your skin and can lead to broken skin near your nails.
* If all the alcohol doesn't evaporate before you stick your finger, you may feel stinging as well as the discomfort of the poke.
Washing and drying your hands is all you need to prevent infection. Just be sure that your hands are dry and that you've gotten all the soap off before you do your reading.
