[lgvincent]

I noticed today that I've got some major problems with bruising from checking my blood sugar. I've got five bruises on three fingers on my left hand, the tip of the middle, ring, and little finger, and the "inner" side of the middle finger and the "outer" side of the ring finger. I'm currently using the OneTouch UltraSoft device and I've never had any problems with it or any other lancet device before. I first saw a bruise on the outer side of the left ring finger about four weeks ago while using the Accu-Check Multiclix lancet device but I switched to another lancet device and it went away quickly. The current lancet is a week old and I'm going to change it.

Does anyone have any ideas what may be causing this problem? It's set in about the middle of the depth settings and the lancet is about a week old. I have to wonder if something else may be the cause because I can't recall ever having a bruise on a finger from checking my blood. Do you think something like Zocor may be the cause?

[kgm0612]

I've never had problems with bruising, but because I favor the sides of my left thumb, I have developed caluses. I realize we're supposed to rotate fingers, I just don't do it. I change my lancet once a week and have it set at the second setting. I use the BD Ultra-Fine 33.

Karen

[Ritehsedad]

It seems that most people like to reuse lancets, I don't. I replace every time. The sharper the lancet is, the easier the wound will heal.

My recommendations would be: Use a new lancet every time. Reduce your depth setting until you stop getting enough blood (boy, that sound goulish, doesn't it?), then go back up a notch. After testing, use a piece of toilet paper, kleenex, cotton ball, etc. and hold pressure on your finger for 10-12 seconds. This gives the blood time to start clotting, helping to prevent the blood from spreading into the surrounding tissue (i.e. bruising). Finally, use a different finger each day. This gives each finger 10 days to heal.

I almost never bruise and only occasionally have a sore spot on a finger.

...for what its worth...

[seacomp]

Originally Posted by Ritehsedad

Finally, use a different finger each day. This gives each finger 10 days to heal.

Only if you only test once a day, many if not most of us, test far more often than that.

[Ritehsedad]

When I was testing 4 times a day I tested twice on one side and twice on the other. I now test twice a day, once on one side of the finger, once on the other side. Tomorrow is my left thumb.

[greendavid]

My CDE told me that the lancet needles have a coating on them that helps lubricate. This is gone after one poke. If you can afford it, use a new lancet each time and see if that helps.

[Doetsch]

I have always had problems with Calusing and Bruising and sore spots. Maybe it's because on Average I test about 6 times a day. When I am sick it can go to 15, when I am Lazy generally around 2.

I use a Hemp lotion that helps.

I think it is a waste of time and money to reuse a lancet each time. I only change the Lancet when I noticeably feel it ripping my skin.

[Cyborg]

Building caluses on the sides of the thumbs definately works for me. Every once in awhile they get sore and you can pick on a finger when that happens, but for the most part once the calus forms, they become pretty pain resistant. If you try different lancets, you may find one that works better for you than others. I test alot and find I don't have to change lancets often.

[lgvincent]

The bruises left as quickly as they appeared.

[martinronquillo]

one of the main reasons why your fingertips bruise is because you might be reusing the lancets or even using a bigger lancet size. Has anybode ever paid attention to the size of their lancets? Most lancets out there use a 28 G needle such as one touch and accuchek, freestyle uses the 25G lancet. The lower the number the bigger the stick, the more blood. Newer meters offer a smaller blood sample, hence a reason to use the smaller lancet, if you are using a 25 or a 28G lancet i suggest you trying the 30G lancet from
BD, costs about 11 dollars for a box of 100, if you want a smaller lancet to use with your meter, try the BD logic meter that uses the 33G lancet. they can go with a smaller lancet because of their strip design that takes only a .3microliter sample and allows you to use the 33G with a depth setting of only 1. Of course you can use the 33G with other meters but that means having a depth setting deeper than normal, so it makes no sense getting a smaller lancet then going deeper. Hope this helps. let me know how it turns out.

[Penny]

Since I am testing more often, at least 4 times a day, with my Microlet, my finger are dry all the time. Some even get flaky skin that peels. I use lotion at least once a day, after a shower, but do not have dry skin any other place. They do not get sore though, but when I try to use my forearm or palm, I get a small hole that makes a scab.

[Cyborg]

I usually use the thinnest lancets which I found to be the SoftClix by Accu-Check. I don't use their meter (I use the UltraSmart), just their lancets and poker (or whatever it's called). I always set for the least depth possible. And I try to make it a habit of cleaning the area with an alcohol wipe first (and letting it dry) before testing. With this combination of meter, lancet and cleanliness, I found I get the least amount of pain and blood, while getting the most accurate results.

[martinronquillo]

are you sure you sure that the softclix is the thinnes lancet available, what is the gauge of the softclix lancet?

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by martinronquillo

are you sure you sure that the softclix is the thinnes lancet available, what is the gauge of the softclix lancet?

I don't know what gauge the softclix is, but there was a recent thread where some other posters also claimed the softclix was the most comfortable lancet. I would be curious to know if it is the thinnest. I think not only does the thinnest come into play, but also the shape of the lancet.

[Ritehsedad]

According to the Accu-Chek web site, the Softclix is 28 gauge.

They also claim, that their lancets have been proven to be the least painful and reference - Koubek. R.J. "The Role of Lancet Device Design in Pain Experienced During Self-Testing of Glucose"; Fruhstorfer, H. "Virtually Pain-Free Collection of Blood from the Finger Pad."

According to their web site, the gauge of the lancet is only part of the equation. They claim a "linear sliding motion to minimize side-to-side movement of the lancet..."; "short lancet dwell time that reduces pain by decreasing the duration of contact with nerve endings."; and "No 'bounce-back' effect...greatly reduces pressure waves caused by the lancel coming to an abrupt stop."

I will tell you that I use the softclix. Many times I use it I wonder if I pulled back too soon because I didn't feel it. Once in a while it does sting a little.

For what its worth...