A common mistake in home blood sugar testing

This Week's Tip A common mistake in home blood sugar testing Improper technique is one of the most common causes of inaccurate blood sugar readings. Even if you follow the instructions for your meter carefully, there are small things that can throw off a reading. For example, did you know that food on your hands can affect your reading? It may seem obvious, but it is important to wash your hands to kill germs and prevent infection every time you test your blood sugar. Doing so also frees them of any food residue that might contain sugar. If you have sugar on your skin, it can affect your test result, leading to an inaccurate reading. While it is widely thought that you need to swab your finger or alternate site area with alcohol, soap and warm water are fine. In fact, soap and water are generally preferred because they are not as drying to the skin. If you choose to use alcohol swabs to cleanse, make sure it has dried completely before you test. Alcohol in the blood sample can cause the reading to be inaccurate as well. Measuring Blood Glucose at Home: How to Do It Right More Tips for People with Diabetes   Diabetes Friendly Recipe Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Not too sweet but not too healthy, these delightful muffins are equally delicious for breakfast or dessert. Get the Recipe See More Lower-Carb Recipes Nutritional Info Servings Per Recipe: 16  Amount Per Serving  Calories: 91.7 Total Fat: 0.6 g Cholesterol: 11.4 mg Sodium: 70.4 mg Total Carbs: 16.1 g   Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g Protein: 2.4 g View full nutritional breakdown of Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins by ingredient     From Our Diabetes Community Chili Peppers (Secrets of Success) Conversation (Team Forum) More Secrets of Success... More Forum Posts...       Was this e-mail forwarded to you by a friend? Join the mailing list. Change your e-mail address   You get 1 SparkPoint for reading today's email.   You received this email because you signed up for one of SparkPeople's email newsletters. To unsubscribe please do not reply to this message. Instead, you can use this link to unsubscribe from this newsletter. To remove yourself by postal mail, send a letter or postcard with your email address to: SparkPeople.com, 310 Culvert Street Suite 301, Cincinnati, OH 45202 SparkPeople.com offers general information and is for educational purposes only. sparkpeople.com is not a prescription system and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult your health-care provider before starting any nutrition or fitness program, and should consult with your provider about any concerns or questions. © 1999-2014 SparkPeople, All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy