Cannula irritation - prevention suggestions please.

Morning @Snapsy

Ouch that looks nasty, must be causing you some discomfort?

As you know I don't pump, but I'm using tegaderm dressings to hold my Dexcom sensors down.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tegaderm-Transparent-Dressing-Box-20/dp/B0009Q2OMW

I know that some users have (to avoid skin irritation like yourself) applied a dressing on their skin, applied the sensor on top of the dressing, and then applied a final dressing on top to keep the sensor in place. It allows for the sensor to stick well, but never actually come in contact with the skin. You'd probably just get away with the one dressing as a barrier.

Although your scenario is a little different, I think the logic is the same?

If you want to try one then I'd be happy to post you a couple for free if you like, save you forking out for something that may be a waste of time

There are a lot of folk using barrier sprays with good results too. But I've not tried any.

Hope you're skin is feeling better soon!

Eeek, @Snapsy - I've got the exact same thing; my skin cannot cope with the adhesive on those clear, shaped dressings.

The happy news is that there are other options, though you might need to chat to a pharmacist to get hold of some depending on what shape your cannula is. When I was in hospital and had a line in, they changed to the cannulas with the wider wings and stuck them on with that cheap surgical tape - you know the stuff, it comes on those little rolls for about £2.50, and you use them to hold lint dressings and such in place.

I found my skin can handle any adhesive on paper or cloth, but the plastic / latex / rubbery type dressings have an adhesive that brings me out like the picture you posted.

You can also "prime" the skin where your next one will go by getting a high-oil moisturiser and keeping that on the skin as much as you can (I used to put some on a cotton pad and tape that next to my skin). Just before you insert your cannula, clean and "degrease" the area with a little toner (LUSH's Tea Tree Water works like a charm for this, plus it's surprisingly cheap) and you should be rash-free for at least a couple of days like that.

A useful tip a friend once gave me for when you do come up in a rash like that is first apply some children's after sun (less harsh when it's directed at children's tender skin) and then some calamine ointment to help cleanse and keep the skin clean while promoting healing.

Hope that clears up, soon - it's miserable <3

Hi @Snapsy, I had the same when I was using the mio cannula sets, the red spot would last about 3-5 days too, I used a barrier spray before attaching the set called Cavilon, you can get it on prescription

Snapsy said:

@Juicyj - ooooooh, I shall ask the doc about that - thank you!

Click to expand...

I'll post you a few dressings to tie you over in the meantime, it's no problem

@Juicyj's suggestion of a barrier spray sounds a lot better though - and more so as it can be put on prescription too

Morning @Snapsy . At a loss as to be able to offer any advice whatsoever. Bloody diabetes always finds something different to p*ss us off.
Chin up and keep smiling as I know you will.
Hope you find a solution and some relief sooner rather than later.
Good luck and hopefully a pain free day.

P.S. Would calamine lotion help with the discomfort? Only a thought.

@Snapsy You can get 3M to send you samples of the Cavilon wipes from this address: http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/Cavilon/skin-care/professionals/stoma/sample-box/

It's designed for use by those who have had various Stoma so it's pretty strong stuff.

I use cavilon spray as well -- it definitely helps me to avoid that nasty looking reaction you had @Snapsy

actually it is my pharmacy "own brand" I get on prescription
Medi Derma-S medical barrier film pump spray

Hi Snapsy have a search for an old thread of mine on this. There are a number of companies who will give you free samples of sticking on and removal sprays. I got iv300 on prescription for a while. The better news is my skin settled down and I haven't needed anything in a long time.

Hi @Snapsy,

Sorry you're having a tough time with your sites. I have always had Cavilon recommended to me by my DSNs. In desperation the other month I managed to buy a small tube of the cream for £7 from my local Boots (had to wait over 2weeks for a gp appt.) which did the trick with my libre sensor adhesive which my skin was reacting to....although I had no idea until reading this thread that it also comes in a spray!

Hope you find something that works for you and that you feel better soon.