3Clean hands before testing:
Now that you are on-board for monitoring, the next step is doing it correctly. Ask your doctor to guide you for the first time. It is preferable for at least one family member to be trained on how to perform the test. Do clean your hands before testing but not with alcohol-based sanitizers.
This is because with daily usage, alcohol can dry the skin to the point of breaking it. It is well documented that in people affected by diabetes, wounds and injuries take a comparatively longer time to heal, especially if their immune system is weakened in any way.
Soap with water is a good alternative to an alcohol-based sanitizer for cleaning your hands. Alcohol-free options have not yet been proven to have long-lasting effects. But they can serve the purpose for the short amount of time that is needed for testing yourself.
Exercise:
Heavy physical exercise is not advised for diabetics. But enough exercise is very important to mitigate the cardiovascular risk that diabetes poses. Consult your doctor before starting or altering any exercise routine for cardiovascular strength and circulation.
A good physician will stress the importance of tracking your blood sugar levels before, during and after exercising. Take comfort in the fact that you won’t have to always keeps tabs on such routine activities unless you notice huge differences in these figures.
Most importantly, stick to a fixed routine for eating, exercising and taking your medicines. Remember to wear the appropriate outfit and footwear while indulging in physical activities. Do not take blisters or sores lightly. See the next point for more information on this.