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Do you use any type of creams or ointments after removing your pump, CGM or injection site needle to prevent infection? Share in the comments what works for you!
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At 65 years T 1 I have never had an infection from my CGM or pump injection site. I don’t even use alcohol on my skin before putting on either. I do use Skin-Prep for both though.
The same Achol pad I used after drawing Insulin to fill my Tandem Cartridge.
No. I don’t use any creams or ointments. However, I do wipe my sites with either an IV Prep or an alcohol pad, after I remove my CGM or canula.
If I have an infusion site that’s particularly swollen or itchy, I’ll put a little bacytracin and/or anti-itch cream on it.
yes, not to prevent infection, but because I have sensitive skin and often have reactions to the adhesive, etc. I use Colloidal silver gel on my Dexcom and infusion sites and it really helps with swelling, itching, etc. I use it for bug bites and scratches as well and love it!
A dab of vitamin E oil is all I use
I’ll wipe the spot with rubbing alcohol.
I use an alcohol swab to get the Dexcom residue off. I also use aloe vera gel (cheap big bottle from Target) on previous Omnipod pump sites and if there’s extra on the area my Dexcom was. It seems to help the swelling go down a bit quicker.
I use alcohol to help loosen the infusion site patch and then use that to wipe the area after needle is taken out. If I remember, I will use a lotion on the site afterward to prevent irritation although the site doesn’t always cause me irritation.
Great to read all the comments! I guess we “long timers” never got the memo about alcohol preps or lotion. I don’t get swelling, irching or anything. Inust pull the things off and then find a new site for the next one. Who knew?! ( t1d 1962)
Couldn’t agree more. I will try the neosporin.
I just put sites in after a shower. Alcohol can dry the skin (and toughen it with lots of use). I’ll only use alcohol if out in the backcountry since showers don’t happen 😂
I just use alcohol when I take it off, rubbing it over the area. No infections.
I often use Neosporin on a pump site that looks irritated or bleeds.
Alcohol for me as well. Both on the old site and to prepare the new site. I can do both with one swab. Never had any problems.
Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol. Swipe both new and old CGM sites.
Just wipe with an alcohol pad.
I’m about 50/50. It depends on how the site looks and feels after removing dex or infusion set.
I must use Flonase and an under patch BEFORE I use Dexcom, but I do not use anything after removing it.
Just wipe down the site with an alcohol wipe.
After wiping it with alcohol, I also use Benadryl spray and baby oil after removing the CGM. I use the alcohol and Benadryl prior to installing the CGM. I can’t use Flonase since my blood sugar rises from my skin absorbing the steroid in the Flonase.
Alcohol swab or tea tree cream.
Nature works for me. I’ve never had any trouble keeping patches on. Maybe 3-4 times in 37 yrs. put a dab of neosporin on after removing.
Never used anything. For my pump I actually leave the previous catheter in until I’m certain the new one did not get damaged during insertion. This has saved me some grief a few times now.
I use Remove to get rid of the sticker goo.
I will put Benadryl cream on if I see a skin reaction after I remove the needle. I will use alcohol if the insertion site looks irritated. I don’t use alcohol before on the site because it seems to “toughen” the skin, making it more difficult and painful to insert the device.
I just clean with alcohol pre and post MDI and CGM sensor application.
I just use alcohol or hand sanitizer.
I simply wipe the site with an alcohol swab after removal!
I use alcohol wipes.
Yes. For 30 years of pumping I apply antibiotic ointment when I remove infusion site. As time has gone on I have developed sensitive skin and allergy to tubing and cannulas and some adhesive so now I apply hydrocortisone cream after site changes. I need to change everyday to avoid inflammation causing impaired absorption. It’s a struggle but my pump has saved my life. Other than breaks now and then I won’t give it up.
I wipe down the area with an alcohol swab.
I use an alcohol patch to put in the new one and often wipe the site of the old also.
Me also..
When I was on injections, I never used alcohol swabs for finger pricks or for injections. In 44 years I only had two infected fingers. (And I used to test my blood sugar 9+ times a day.) No infections at the injection sites. With the pump, I use alcohol, partly to clean the skin so the infusion set will stick. For the CGM I add Skin Tac. Again, I have never used creams or ointments after removing either one. And I have never had any infections in 15 years of pumping and 14 of CGM’s.
I use when I remove pump if it seems irritated
Coconut oil
Depending on the trauma left behind on the skin, I may use Rose Ointment by Young Living or silver gel
I said no because I only apply neosporin if it seems irritated, which is rare.
No trouble with site infections ever (58 years!). I have always applied Skin-Tac or a similar product to help adhesion of both infusion set and CGM when I do a site change. Perhaps there is some element of antiseptic in that product, such as alcohol…? After I remove the device from my skin, I sometimes rub in a drop of plain old body lotion at the site to help the area “wake up” & normalize. But I’ve never used a product to prevent infection there because It hasn’t been necessary, thankfully!
Acohol swabs as we were trained at the hospital.
I use ultra-healing hydrocortisone cream after I remove my Dexcom sensors. I had serious skin irritation when I switched back to the Dexcom, like many others as it turns out. I rotate between two sites for my sensor. To heal the skin and protect the skin barrier, I apply this cream each night to whichever site is sensor-free at the time. I’ve had significantly less skin irritation since doing this and not using alcohol to prep the site. I was worried about adhesion but my sensors still stay on the entire session.
Antibiotic cream