What are Lancets and Lancing Devices
Lancets and Lancing devices are used for the process of lancing, in which a small drop of blood is drawn out of the skin to test the blood glucose level. Lancet is a sharp object that helps in pricking the finger. Lancing device is used to hold the lancet. Usually, lancets are for single-use and lancing devices are for multiple use. They assist in accurately finding out the blood glucose level with help of test strips and glucose monitor. Health Products For You offers a wide range of lancets and lancing devices from top-selling manufacturers like
Owen Mumford,
Roche Diagnostics,
Lifescan,
Siemens Healthcare, etc.
How do the lancet and the lancing device work together?
Although the lancet can be used to get a sample on its own, using the lancing system makes the process much simpler. The device provides a quick "punch" of the needle into the skin to make an easy and less painful stick. Each brand's device will be a little different, but the basic idea is the same.
- Before using Lancing Device, always wash your hands. It can cause a significant infection if you have bacteria on your hands and it enters your blood! First, with the safety cap still on, remove the cap off the unit and insert a new lancet. (You can poke yourself if it is removed first!) Do not twist it around as you insert the lancet. It should fit easily.
- To expose the needle, take the safety guard off of the lancet. This can easily be done by simply twisting the tiny circle and taking it off. Put the cap of the lancing device carefully without poking yourself.
- Most systems have different depths from which you can choose. This helps you to get a less painful finger stick. Select the depth that is best by twisting the limit to the appropriate amount, depending on your needs. Usually, children and those with thin skin would usually do better with the lower settings than those with thick or calloused skin. Unfortunately, the only way to find out which depth is best for you is by trial and error method. You need to find a depth that is the least painful and gets the right amount of blood for the glucometer. However, begin with the lower numbers to avoid any unnecessary pain.
- Slide the button on top of the device back until it clicks. This loads the lancet so that, when prompted, it is ready to puncture. If it does not click, it may have already been pushed back and is ready to use.
- Press the unit along the fingertip evenly and firmly. Click the button and let the lance stick to you, and then pull the device away from your finger.
- Please wait until you've got a drop of blood before putting it in your glucose meter. Trying to give a sample that is not sufficient enough will cause an error on the system, and you would have to use another strip, which can be expensive and wasteful. You may need to "milk" your finger gently, which means pressing blood towards the puncture hole to make it bleed a little more. Once the sample has been put to the glucometer, apply pressure to the fingertip using a small piece of gauze or another absorbent cloth. You can then dispose of your used lancet properly.
How to use Lancets for Diabetes?
- Lancets are used to get blood for testing blood glucose level in blood.
- They can be used to prick finger as well as any other area.
- These lancing needles have a spring mechanism that forces them to prick and draws back quickly.
- Lancing device can help in choosing the depth of prick or incision.
- Depending on this measurement, additional pain or discomfort can be alleviated.
- If you do not get proper amount of blood, try blood glucose needles of different sizes.
- If this also does not help, wash your hands thoroughly with warm water or do a shaking exercise to stimulate the blood flow in your fingers.
Are all lancets the same?
All the lancets are not similar. Lancets have needles of various sizes. The smaller the needle, the less pain it takes to stick the finger. It is important to note that the larger the number for the needle's gauge, the smaller the size of the needle actually is. Some lancets are made for children and some for adults. Also, several brands have lancets of their own that only operate with their devices.
Are all lancing devices the same?
Not all the lancing devices are identical. However, the general purpose of their use is the same. Lancets are used to prick the skin to collect a sample.
The ways in which they vary include:
- The brand of lancets that they take
- The gauge of the lancet needle
- The device's size
- The ability to test your blood sugar on body parts other than the tips of your fingers
- For customers, the diverse range is great because it means they have choices, but it may create some uncertainty as well. It can make it hard to know which one to choose as well as how the various kinds can be used. Reading the instructions for each lancing device is essential. Also, the different devices may only work with certain lancets.
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FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
Lancets must be changed each time you test your blood glucose. Lancets are designed for single-use only, and the more you use a lancet, the more it hurts. In order to reduce the risk of infection by using a new lancet each time you test.
No, Lancing devices should never be shared with anyone and are intended for single patient use only.
You can Lance your finger toward the sides of your fingertips, rather than in the middle to help reduce the pain of lancing. The sides of your fingertips have more blood vessels but not as many nerve endings. Given this, lancing on the sides usually does not hurt as much as it would in the middle of the fingertip.
You should Lance your finger deep enough to get an adequate amount of blood without pressing much. The depth may vary from finger to finger. The numbers on the lancing device will help indicate your depth setting: 5 being the deepest and 1 the lightest.
Yes. The expiration date is printed on the lancet package. After this sterilization is not guaranteed by the manufacturer.
28 Gauge, 31 Gauge and 33 Gauge. The smaller the gauge number the thicker the needle – i.e. In this case a 28 Gauge lancet has a thicker needle than a 33 Gauge.