Lancing tools that do the job with minimal pain
Most people who live with diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, have to test their blood glucose levels daily, some even more frequently. Monitoring blood sugar amounts gives patients and doctors the ability to fine-tune insulin dosing, both in terms of amount and timing, and makes treatment in general more accurate and personalized.
Unfortunately for diabetics, the only way to test blood glucose levels is to constantly stick yourself with a sharp lancet. The good news is that tremendous strides have been made in diabetic care in recent years, both in treatment and in innovative technology. One area of advancement has been in the production of lancing tools, which have become cheaper, more accessible and most importantly, much less painful to use.
What is a lancing device?
A lancing device, sometimes called a lancet device, is a medical implement used in blood sampling. The device features a small needle or blade called a lancet, which you use to prick your finger and collect a drop of blood. The blood sample is then placed in a diagnostic device like a blood glucose meter to measure blood sugar levels.
What makes a lancet less painful?
Some lancets, by the nature of their design, are less painful than others. A 2020 study in Postgraduate Medicine, tested 16 different types of lancets to measure pain perception during a finger-prick test. The study found that, although all devices produced comparatively low levels of pain, blade versions of safety lancets cause more pain than needle lancets. In general, a lancet with a smaller gauge is less painful, although not all lancing devices can house an ultra-thin needle so be sure to look for a brand that can. Another new pain-reducing development is that some lancets are coated with silicone to facilitate skin penetration.
The 10 least painful lancing devices
Genteel Plus Painless Lancing Device: available at Amazon
The Genteel lancing device uses patented vacuum pump technology to draw customizable amounts of blood. It offers six levels of depth control to allow you to test on alternative sites and is virtually pain-free. The device, itself, is on the pricier side but it uses inexpensive, widely available lancets for easy replacement.
Active Forward Microlet Lancing Device: available at Amazon
This very affordable blood-testing option contains a complete testing kit, including a lancing device and 100 replacement lancets. The lancing device has an adjustable depth tip and gentle spring action for easy skin penetration on multiple sites. The thin, 30-gauge lancets facilitate ski penetration and minimize discomfort.
Care Touch Microlet with 300 Twist-Top Lancets: available at Amazon
The lancets in this kit are triple-sharpened needles, designed to reduce skin damage and pain. They are also gamma sterilized to extend shelf life and are compatible with most lancing devices. This device has 10 depth options and can be used on multiple sites.
Accu-Chek Fastclix Lancing Device: available at Amazon
The selling point of this inexpensive device is its multi-lancet drum which automatically switches out the lancet for you after each use for up to five times. It also offers 11 customizable depth settings, ultra-thin and bevel-cut needles to ensure smooth skin penetration.
Care Touch 10: available at Amazon
The Care Touch features 10 adjustable depths to allow for testing both on the hand and elsewhere on the body. A long barrel makes it easy to grip and the ejector button pushes the used lancet out without the need for you to handle it. This device conveniently accommodates most lancets.
The Microlet 2 Lancing Device by Bayer HealthCare: available at Amazon
The Microlet 2 only offers the standard five depth settings, but its one-handed, smooth-gliding delivery system gets rave reviews for minimal pain. It uses silicone coated Microlet lancets for smooth skin penetration and is easily portable.
The Truedraw Lancing Device by True Decor: available at Amazon
This inexpensive, highly adaptable model is ideal for users who prefer a choice of testing sites, rather than having to always prick fingertips. It features an ergonomic grip and accommodates a wide range of lancet brands and sizes.
OneTouch Delica Lancing Device by Lifescan: available at Amazon
Precision glide control and seven depth settings give the OneTouch Delica a smooth, consistent lancing action. It is also able to house an extra fine, silicone-coated lancet which considerably lessens the pain. The Delica only works with OneTouch lancets.
Auvon Lancing Device: available at Amazon
The interior tracking design of the Auvon lancing device ensures that there are minimal vibrations during skin penetration, reducing skin trauma and pain perception. The Auvon offers a generous 10 depth settings for different testing areas and comes with 100 30-gauge, triple-sharpened needle lancets.
O’Well Painless Design Lancing Device: available at Amazon
The O’Well lancing device also offers 10 depth settings, as well as 40 different sized, silicone-coated lancets for a virtually painless testing experience. A built-in ejector disposes of used lancets safely and easily.
Daily blood glucose testing no longer needs to be a feared and painful experience. If you are looking to buy a new lancing device, the most important requirement is to find one that will deliver a sufficiently sizable blood sample. Beyond that, if you like to have site options for testing, look for a device that offers several different depth options. Finally, a lancing device that accommodates non-proprietary replacement lancets of a fine or extra-fine gauge will save you stress and potentially money in the long run.
Bryony Gilbey is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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