[orange81bird]

I have been using CGMS off and on for the last month or so to help keep numbers in range. However, I have noticed that with each sensor connection the skin becomes very irrated. I clean both the transmitter and skin throughly before each use. But within a few hours of being connected, I start to have severe itching. I have tried the sensor in the stomach and legs with the same reaction occurring. Any advice would be very helpful before ordering more sensors. Thanks in advance!

[RobiJo]

Is it from the sensor or from the tape you're using to hold it on???

The tegaderm makes me itch like crazy. It could be that you are sensitive to the adhiesive. I no use transporant tape. It leaves ugly bandaid like tape marks, but doesn't itch nearly as bad.

[The_QUIET_one]

How long have you kept it in for? These are like pump sites in a way I think, you cant keep them in too long I dont know the recomended amount but it varies for people any way, how long does it take for the skin to heal up again? do you rotate the site all over? Also as for the iching, resist! My friend said to trick yourself itch on the opposite side of the body exactly then you will forget about the itch, you are irritating it by itching. just ignore it and then you will forget about it is my advice.

[orange81bird]

The sensor/transmitter itself. I have had no problems with the tape other than the tegaderm not wanting to stay on. When I remove the sensor, the irritation is just where it was touching the skin. Nothing near the tapes.

[Gigem99]

Originally Posted by The_QUIET_one

... you cant keep them in too long I dont know the recomended amount but it varies for people any way, how long does it take for the skin to heal up again? ... .

A little off topic...

The FDA approved the sensor for 3 days, but my endo told me most of his patients leave them in for 6-7 days. Changing mine is my Sunday morning ritual.

I have the luxury of my insurance paying 90%. Those that do not have insurance (or insurance that won't pay) usually try to leave them in as long as possible (go figure ). Most of those folks can leave them in for about 14 days. There are a few people that can leave them in for 4-6 weeks.

As an experiment, I recently left mine in for 14 days. The accuracy of the second week was actually superior to the first week!

Boy, that was a nasty whelp when I took it out yesterday, though. I won't do that again. It seems to be healing pretty fast. The sensor sites do seem to scar up a little more than infustion sites. YMMV.

That may be the irritation you are seeing - just the little scar that develops. Otherwise, I can't help with that subject.