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Prior to a blood test, how do you usually clean your fingers or your child's fingers?
Poll dates: May 23 - 30, 1999
Total Votes: 711
Finger stick blood tests provide the most critical data used to manage diabetes: blood glucose measurements. Makers of blood glucose meters and diabetes educators recommend washing your fingers before a finger stick blood test to clean away any food or dirt that might be present. Contamination with food, for example, can result in inaccurately high blood glucose readings.
Cleaning with alcohol is not recommended because it can dry out the skin. Most diabetes educators recommend washing your hands with warm water and a gentle soap. Warm water helps the blood flow in the fingers, which can help you get a drop more easily than if your fingers are cold.
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