Gauze pads - yes or no?

[SHK]

Do you use gauze pads when poking ears for BG tests? If so, where do you buy them? The stores/pharmacies seem a bit outrageous in price. I had some, but when I ran out, I used a folded up paper towel today for each test - obviously not sterile. Was this bad? Could I be doing EQ harm by not using a sterile pad? Thanks for your advice in advance!

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

I've tried all sorts of things over this last year - my favorite thing are the round cosmetic pads. I buy 100 of them at WallyWorld for $2.04 but I can also get them at the Dollar Store in pkgs of 80 for $1. The ones at the dollar store are thinner - sometimes those bleed thru a bit if I hit a 'big bleed' spot. Gauze seemed to always bleed thru....

Since we're not dealing with something like a tear, only a very small hole, I don't believe you need to worry about the sterile part. I do use either neosporin ointment or Neo/Poly/Bactracin ointment every 3-4 days. Remember, use the 'ointment' instead of the cream - the cream is water based and will cause the blood to absorb into the hair instead of beading up on top.

BIG HUG!!!!

 

[Maggies Mom Debby]

I always used a folded up paper towel.

 

[Pumbaa]

I get the 100% cotton squares at WalMart, cut them in half so they are rectangles, then fold the rectangle in half to put behind his ear when I prick. It works great, and by cutting them in half, I save money. I got a pack of 160 squares and I think they were somewhere just over $2.00.

Suze

 

[BJM]

I just folded up a toilet tissue square. Spitzer never had any infection from any of the numerous pokes he received over his life.

 

[squeem3]

Kleenex. paper towel, napkins, toilet paper, etc will work :smile: You just need something to provide a little cushioning so you don't accidentally poke a finger while using the lancet/lancet device. You can also use it to hep stop the bleeding after you've gotten the blood onto the test strip. Personally, I just held the ricek sock under the ear to prevent a finger poking and used a Kleenex to stop the blood.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

I just buy the jumbo sized bags of small cotton balls and used one per poke to protect my finger, and to stop the bleeding. Bob never got an infection on either ear.

Carl

 

[SHK]

Thank you all for your answers (and really good ideas!). I feel a little better now. :smile: