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Libre 2: wrap to shower, or nah?

jrose444

Member
Messages
13
Location
Georgia, USA
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I’ve had so many issues with libre 2 sensors that I wrap it with Saran Wrap & medical tape to shower, even though I’ve read it isn’t necessary. Just don’t want to take any chances here, lol.
Do u wrap ur sensor? If so, with what?
 
I wear a Libre 2 plus and swim regularly (and of course shower!) I use a purpose made self adhesive cover with a fabric centre so it doesn’t pull on the sensor off when I change the patch. I get these from Amazon UK, I see you’re in USA I’m sure there’ll be something similar on Amazon US
 

Ditto! They last me about a week and I then change. If I’m not swimming regularly I tend not to cover the first week, but find they do need to be protected the second week as they tend to start lifting off.
 
I use a ~6" long piece of micropore tape (which usually lasts the ~2 weeks) across the sensor (I now cut a small hole for centre of the sensor since learning it should not be covered, I never used to) and my upper arm to avoid the edges peeling off.

If this peeling can prevented or slowed they last the distance (including showers and sweat), otherwise I used to find they'd eventually peel up enough that they started to move around and fail.

P.S. If you do similar, don't make the tape tight across the sensor, make sure it follows both the shape of the sensor and your arm as otherwise it's quite uncomfortable.
 
I use Not Just a Patch skin tone and it easily stays put for the 14 days. Don’t need to put a hole in it
 
For those who do use patches (and leave them on rather than only for swimming), do you find they get manky underneath if you're exercising and sweating? If I were swimming then I'd probably be looking for something along the lines of the waterproof ones, but for cycling, I'm not keen on something which claims to be waterproof or even water resistant.

The Not Just a Patch ones which @Jmaclaren suggests above (thanks) look like they come in two flavours - the originals which are like fabric plasters (though claiming water resistance), and the new ones which appear to be like large patches of micropore tape. I assume they would both dry out eventually, but the former look like they'd stay damp for longer than the latter?

My micropore tape works, but just wondering what other options are out there.
 
I use waterproof adhesive patches, they are supposed to be breathable, hypoallergenic and latex free, I have noticed that I’m reacting to the tape. My skin is slightly swollen and blotchy and painful. The reaction to the patch seems to have affected my CGM readings as the sensor was reading around 1-2 mmol/ls lower than a fingerprick. Also they become mangy around the edges which is not a good look. I might try that micropore tape. I can get it on Amazon.ca.
 
SimonP78 said:
For those who do use patches (and leave them on rather than only for swimming), do you find they get manky underneath if you're exercising and sweating?
Click to expand...
I don’t work up a sweat as I don’t do vigorous exercise just gentle swimming and walking! So no they don’t go manky. I replace them when they start lifting at the edges, each one lasts around 5 days.
 
jrose444 said:
I’ve had so many issues with libre 2 sensors that I wrap it with Saran Wrap & medical tape to shower, even though I’ve read it isn’t necessary. Just don’t want to take any chances here, lol.
Do u wrap ur sensor? If so, with what?
Click to expand...
I cover mine with the Libre Skins, adhesive cover. I swim and never had a problem...
 
jrose444 said:
I’ve had so many issues with libre 2 sensors that I wrap it with Saran Wrap & medical tape to shower, even though I’ve read it isn’t necessary. Just don’t want to take any chances here, lol.
Do u wrap ur sensor? If so, with what?
Click to expand...
I use a Guardian, a ring covers the edge of the sensor and has an adjustable elastic band around my arm which I wa wear all the time. My sensors ping off at any excuse, Guardian is available on Amazon.
 
jrose444 said:
I’ve had so many issues with libre 2 sensors that I wrap it with Saran Wrap & medical tape to shower, even though I’ve read it isn’t necessary. Just don’t want to take any chances here, lol.
Do u wrap ur sensor? If so, with what?
Click to expand...
I use a Guardian, plastic ring goes over the edge of the sensor, elastic band over my arm, available on Amazon, washable and reusable. My sensors don’t stick well so I wear all the time.
 
jrose444 said:
I’ve had so many issues with libre 2 sensors that I wrap it with Saran Wrap & medical tape to shower, even though I’ve read it isn’t necessary. Just don’t want to take any chances here, lol.
Do u wrap ur sensor? If so, with what?
Click to expand...
I am surprised to read this trail of problems with LibreView 2 sensors failing to stick , exacerbated by showering, swimming or (exercise induced) sweating.
I shower daily and take moderate exercise but have not experienced the problems mentioned. Indeed, I experience trouble removing the spent sensor after 15 days and on one occasion, the sensor, on removal, detached from its sticky pad, leaving the adhesive disc stuck to my arm!
Maybe the application technique needs to be looked at?
I always shower and clean the site very well before attaching a new sensor and ensure the site is dry and free from any obvious dead skin, etc.. and have never experienced peeling problems over the 15 days. Granted I haven't swum since starting with CGM in March 2023, so maybe swimming would have a different effect.
Hope this could help?!
 
I too was suprised to find all these problems with the sensor coming off - I rarely get any issues with the sensor staying firmly in place for the 2 weeks. I exercise a lot to (I work in a gym). I always make sure my arm is clean & dry and I wipe it with an alcohol pad about a minute before I apply the sensor.
 
When swimming lots of lengths seriously a couple of times a week it definitely needs extra support to stay on.
My sensors also stick exceptionally well and have been known to remove skin when taking them off. But swimming and bashing your arm into the water for seventy plus lengths will definitely aid them to float off.
 
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