Whether you are wearing a CGM, a pump, or both, your skin is doing more than its fair share of heavy lifting. Adhesives, sensors, tubing, sweat, and constant rotation make your skin a frontline warrior. And let’s be honest: it does not always come out unscathed — especially for young children who do not have that much skin to go around.
From rashes and itching to more serious problems such as lipodystrophy or infections, the skin side of diabetes tech is often underplayed. Good skin care is not just about comfort — it is part of making sure your devices work properly and last their full life.
Options to upskill:
- Listen to Episode 24: T1D Skincare Legend Dr Laurel Messer.
- Got questions? Go to the FAQ on Skincare, T1D and Tech.
- Download Dr Laurel Messer’s exclusive guide, shown below, created specifically for The Glucose Never Lies.
- Finish this page for some more top tips, and download the GNL Guide for Skincare for T1D.
You are still here, great.
This guide is all about practical prevention, simple routines, and the science-backed tricks that actually work. Let’s get into it.
The Big Skin Issues
Here is what most people run into after a few months (or years) of wearing devices:
- Irritation or rashes – caused by adhesives, sweat, or allergens such as acrylates.
- Dry, itchy skin or eczema – especially if sites are not rotated or cleaned properly.
- Lipohypertrophy / lipoatrophy – swelling or hollowing under insulin delivery sites.
- Scars, wounds, or skin tears – often from quick removals or poor healing.
- Infections – warm, red, painful areas that may need antibiotics.
Most of these are preventable. Here is how to stay ahead of the curve.
Download the full T1D skincare guide here.
1. Choosing the Right Site
Site placement is everything. Too close to joints or scars and you are asking for trouble. Too repetitive with one zone and you will get breakdowns.
Ideal site selection:
- Stick to flat, fatty zones: upper arms, buttocks, thighs, flanks.
- Avoid areas that bend or rub (such as waistbands or bony creases).
- Always rotate. Use 6–10 different zones and give each at least a week off.
- Keep at least 1–2 inches away from old sites or current insulin delivery areas.
2. Prepping the Skin
It does not need to take long, but doing it right makes a huge difference in comfort and device lifespan.
Skin prep checklist:
- Clean the skin with oil-free soap and water (skip alcohol if you are sensitive).
- Dry the skin thoroughly — no dampness and no steamy bathrooms.
- For sweaty skin: apply a thin layer of solid unscented antiperspirant, leave for 10 minutes, then wipe off.
If you are prone to reactions, consider:
- Barrier wipes (for example Cavilon, Skin Tac).
- Barrier films such as IV3000 or Tegaderm underneath if you are sensitive.
- Fluticasone nasal spray (off-label but commonly prescribed by a GP), 1–2 sprays on the area, allowed to dry completely before application.
3. Avoid Extra Tape if Possible — Use Extra Tapes Wisely if Needed
If possible, avoid extra tapes to limit skin coverage. But sometimes adhesives do not hold well. Other times, they hold too well.
Strategies for better adhesion:
- Add extra tape over the top — brands such as RockaDex, GrifGrips, or Simpatch can help.
- Consider kinesiology tape or elastic wraps (such as Coban). Use “picture frame” taping around the edges to lock in loose adhesives.
4. Removing Without Damage
Peeling off a stuck-on sensor should not be a full-body workout — or a reason your skin bleeds.
Gentle removal technique:
- Use baby oil, olive oil, or adhesive removers such as Lift Plus (PIP code: 3188505), Uni-solve, or TacAway.
- Start from a corner, push the skin down with one hand and slowly fold the tape back over itself.
- Do not pull up or away — go low and slow.
- Once removed, cleanse the site and moisturise.
5. Post-wear Skin TLC
Whether your skin feels fine or a bit raw, what you do after matters.
Skin recovery basics:
- Use a rich, unscented moisturiser daily — especially on “pause sites” (areas not in current use).
- Leave used sites alone for at least a week before reusing them.
- Watch for signs of infection: heat, pus, spreading redness, or pain.
6. What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Sometimes, despite your best prep, things still go wrong. Here is what to do when it does.
| Skin issue | First steps | Then consider |
|---|---|---|
| Redness or rash | Clean, moisturise, use barrier wipes | Fluticasone spray or mild steroid |
| Eczema | Barrier under device (IV3000 or Duoderm) | 2–4 week course of steroid cream |
| Persistent itching | Moisturise + barrier film | Topical steroid or antihistamine |
| Lipohypertrophy | Rotate sites more effectively, ultrasound if needed | Avoid for 6+ weeks, refer if severe |
| Wound or skin tear | Oil removal, rest site, moisturise, protect | Antibiotic cream or GP review |
Evidence That Backs It All Up
- An evidence-based structured skin care programme (for example, Berg et al. 2023, paediatric diabetes skin care literature).
- The Panther Skin Care Guide.
- UCL Skin Care Guide.
Your Skin Deserves Respect
When you look after your skin, everything else — your sensor, your pump, your glucose — has a better chance of working smoothly. And remember: no one is perfect. If you drift off your site routine for a while, just get back on
