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Freestyle Libre and sport

emiliano

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all,
I've recently started using the Freestyle Libre, and I am very very happy about it. the only issue I have is how to make the sensor stick to the arm when I sweat profusely - tipically during a workout or a run. Do you guys have any suggestion?

thanks in advance

Emiliano
 
I use a layer of skin tac (bought from MG Healthcare as eBay is a rip off) then put a piece of kinesiology tape over the top. Solid as a rock for two weeks.

There are loads of brands of kinesiology tape, mine is called uber tape and was about £12 for a roll on Amazon.
 

Have you actually had issues with it, or are you anticipating issues because of your sweating?

(It's a great bit of kit, and mine usually sticks absolutely fast for the full life of the sensors.)
 
Since I started running as well as swimming I've found that the stickiness is less sticky at the time I take the sensor off at the end of the fortnight - but still absolutely sticky enough to stick. More like the stickiness of an ordinary plaster than the hypersticky-needs-a-crowbar scenario if I haven't been exercising.

Hmmm, slight overuse of the word 'sticky' in this thread.
*thumbs through thesaurus for appropriate synonym*

 
AndBreathe said:
Have you actually had issues with it, or are you anticipating issues because of your sweating?
Click to expand...

No, I actually am experiencing problems with the sensors. I am quite hairy, plus I sweat a lot (hey stop laughing now...) so the combination of the two factors isn't really helping...

Next sensor, I'll shave the spot to make it adhere more, but I will give a try to 1abRat system as well. Kinesiology tape is a great idea, but what's a skin tac???

Might be the spot I'm using in the arm is not exactly right. I place the sensors almost at the back of the arm because there I'm hairless (well, almost...) but the arm is rounder there and not exactly flat so probably the sensor doesn't "touch" properly in the entirety of its surface.

thanks to all

emiliano
 
Last edited by a moderator:

You paint a lovely picture. I have read of other chaps shaving their chosen spot, prior to attaching their sensor.

For myself, I adopt the following:
- I shower and dry, but don't moisturise the chosen spot.
- Wait an hour, to ensure skin is completely dry
- Clean skin with alcohol wipe, wait 5 minutes
- Apply sensor
- Contain myself for 48 hours to allow it to settle, prior to activation.
- After 14 days, apply various tactics to release it from my skin!

Even overseas, in tropical heat, I found it stuck absolutely fast at the end of 14 days. Thankfully, I don't have hairy upper arms.
 
It helps tremendously to shave the application site even if you have hardly any hair there (this applies to both men and women).

Be sure to shower and/or use an alcohol pad to remove any oils from the shaving cream as that can decrease the life of the sensor adhesive. Obviously, you want to make sure the application site is completely dry as well.
 
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