Back of finger, below the nail sticks

[slipperyelm]

In a Johns Hopkins home medical reference book at my public library, I saw a recommendation to take blood samples from the back of the finger, as well as the palm side. The area to be used is below the nail and then halfway down toward to the second knuckle, but excluding the knuckle itself.

It does not hurt me any less than palmside and I am usually NOTsuccessful in getting a sufficient amount of blood. Also, it was scary to try this because I thought I might hit bone. In reality I have been using the same depth of puncture as on the palmside to ever get blood. It seems like I need a fatter lancet maybe. However, I have not tried lancetting directly at the midline of my finger because, in my pale skin, I can see blood vessles there. I am afraid of causing a little hematoma if I stick myself there.

Do you ever sample here? Does it work well for you? Got any tips?

[spike]

I shudder at the thought of trying your method!

If you have never had a hematoma, why not just give it a try, rather than worrying about it? Nearly everyone who does finger sticks pricks the pad of the finger, or on the side.
(Still creeped out by your suggestion of sticking the bony part of one's finger!!!!!)

[Chris Graham]

Yikes! I test on the right side of my left palm. It hurts less than the finger and is less noticeable to the non-d types.

[notme]

Ouch! I am usually game to try something new.... hmmm I will have to think about this one.

[ProudNanaof5]

At first I read Bernstein's book. He sggested sites and he included the back of fingers just as you said above... I tried it and it hurt like H#%*!!!! I won't ever do that again...and I wouldn't suggest anyone else to do it:motz:

[Scratch]

If I had fat fingers maybe I'd try this. As it is, NO!

[dgrilli]

Has anyone ever used a toe?

[spike]

Has anyone ever used a toe?

Why purposely break the skin on your feet, if you are diabetic? That's a NO-NO!

[JediSkipdogg]

Has anyone ever used a toe?

Toes are not recommended as diabetes are prone to lower circulation problems therefore blood flow may be slower down there making the results delayed. At least that's what I've heard.


As for testing on the back of the finger, I'd think you'd hit bone and start poking into that on occasion. And if that happens, there is risk of the needle sticking in the bone. One of our officers had that happen during a taser demonstration where one of the taser barbs missed and hit his thumb and he had to go to the ER to have it removed because it was physically partially stuck in the bone.

[lgvincent]

Has anyone ever used a toe?



I've tried the toes several times but I have a very hard time getting blood out and when I do, it's not easy to get it onto a glucose strip. I hasn't worked for me.

[Cyborg]

I know some members use the backsides of their fingers. I tried once, but my fingers aren't big enough to do it without hitting bone. I use the sides of my thumbs most of the time.

[dgrilli]

Sorry folks I believe that the comment of using the Toe was not good and for good reason as stated. I hope no one does that. Maybe the moderator should remove that post anot the Toe.

Sorry

[Emm]

At first I read Bernstein's book. He sggested sites and he included the back of fingers just as you said above... I tried it and it hurt like H#%*!!!! I won't ever do that again...and I wouldn't suggest anyone else to do it:motz:

Same here. I tried once and NEVER again!

YEEEEEOUUUUCH!!!

[spike]

Sorry folks I believe that the comment of using the Toe was not good and for good reason as stated. I hope no one does that. Maybe the moderator should remove that post anot the Toe.

Sorry

No need to remove the post. I think the idea has been thoroughly debunked.