Choose the right location
Place your equipment and patches on skin without irritation, scar tissue, wounds, or tattoos.
Avoid infiltrates:
If you inject insulin into the same spot many times, infiltrates, thickening, or hard areas may develop in the fatty tissue under the skin. Therefore, always choose a new location when changing equipment. That means:
- At least 3 cm for a new location for insulin pump or sensor.
Infusion sets/pods should not be placed in infiltrates, but sensors can be placed in soft infiltrates.
Take care of the skin when applying the equipment
- Wash the skin with water and perfume-free soap.
- The skin must be completely dry before application and free from residue from old patches.
- Feel free to use a good moisturizer. But do not use cream in the area on the day you apply the equipment.
- If hair removal is necessary: Do it 1-2 days before applying the equipment.
Disinfecting the skin at home is not necessary. It dries out the skin and damages the skin's natural barrier.
Take care of the skin when removing the equipment
- Be careful and slowly peel off the patch.
- Moisten the patch with oil if it does not come off easily.
- Try using a plaster remover (e.g., Esenta) if you have difficulty removing it.
After removing the equipment and patch, let the skin in the area rest for about 1 week. Feel free to use perfume-free and moisturizing cream when you are not using the skin area for equipment.
Ensure your equipment stays securely in place
There are reinforcing patches for sensors and for Omnipod if you experience the equipment loose adhesion. You can also choose another patch for reinforcement (e.g., thin Micropore tape). Another option is to use an additional adhesive under the patch (e.g., Skintac wipe).
For very special needs, such as activities in water or situations where you sweat a lot: It is possible to use a self-adhesive bandage (e.g., Coban/Co-Plus bandage) to place over your sensor or pod if it is on your arm. If you are unsure about what to choose, ask your healthcare provider.
Always inform your healthcare provider about skin reactions
If you experience infiltrates, redness, itching, irritation, or wounds at the injection site or in the area where the patch is placed, contact your healthcare provider. Also, contact your healthcare provider if you suspect that the insulin is not working as it should. This could be due to application and skin reactions.
Contact
If you have questions or are in doubt, you are welcome to contact the Nursing Advisory Service at phone: 39 68 08 00 on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM