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    • 4 hours, 51 minutes ago
      Lenora Ventura likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 6 hours, 25 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      same here. I was able to get a neurologist to diagnose it as that.
    • 6 hours, 26 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I have developed this very weird numbness and pain in my left outer thigh which I attribute to neuropathy, although there has been no official diagnosis. Of course, like every good diabetic, I did my own research and found that it is called meralgia paresthetica. It only comes on intermittently and rarely interferes with daily functions. Rest remedies it. Having lived with T1D for 56 years so far, I consider myself to be pretty lucky...so far.
    • 6 hours, 28 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I feel the same way. I'm never sure who to believe or how to get a valid assessment.
    • 6 hours, 28 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 9 hours, 10 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      Gastroparesis
    • 9 hours, 11 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      In late summer of 2017 I lost all feeling in both lower extremities to my hips and both upper extremities to my shoulders. It was not all diabetic related though. Lowered the drug in my chemo regimen but didn't reverse by next treatment, so that drug was stopped. Slowly I regained feeling in my arms and legs; left with no sensation in hands & feet up to ankles & wrist. I'm thankful that my oncologist realized that it wasn't just a diabetic thing.
    • 12 hours, 1 minute ago
      Sandra Rosborough likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 12 hours, 49 minutes ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 15 hours, 56 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      My feet were killing me when I started taking insulin. Saw on another website that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) was good for neuropathy. Once I started taking it, the pain was gone within a week! Still using it 20 years later, still pain free
    • 15 hours, 57 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 16 minutes ago
      magoo likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 16 minutes ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 29 minutes ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      I spend a bit of time in my garden, yardwork , the animal shelter. Days I'm not with the Shelter my herd gets walked.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      avid cyclist for many years now ........... OK ..... add in resident year around maintenance yard work
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Walking and hiking.
    • 1 day, 13 hours ago
      Steven Gill likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Try pausing insulin on your pump if you are below 150mg/dl.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Daniel Bestvater likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 2 days, 13 hours ago
      Bonnie Lundblom likes your comment at
      What event(s) prompt you to calibrate your CGM? Select all that apply.
      I always do 3 successive finger sticks about 1 day after applying a new G7 sensor. I'm amazed at how much variability there is among sensors. Some are spot on, and remain so during the entire 10 days, while the worst I saw was off 100 mg/dl at the start (reading half of the actual level) (I demanded -- and got -- a replacement for that outlier, since I did't want to have to trust it for days and go through piles of strips just to see if it was as bad as it seemed). I generally also do another batch of 3 tests several days later, just to check. I care about accuracy. I've found that it is essential to do multiple sequential finger sticks to get an accurate number from strips, since they too are far more variable than I am comfortable with. If the variability in strips is too great, I do 4 tests rather than 3, and throw out one, averaging the rest. I love my CGM, but it doesn't completely replace strips.
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    How often do you clean your skin with alcohol wipes before giving yourself an injection or inserting a new insulin pump site?

    Home > LC Polls > How often do you clean your skin with alcohol wipes before giving yourself an injection or inserting a new insulin pump site?
    Previous

    If you drink diet soda or drink products labeled “zero” sugar, do you feel like they have an effect on your glucose levels?

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    Do you currently use any of the following CGM systems?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    45 Comments

    1. sweet charlie

      What… only 44%… OMG!!!! Never in 70 years have I not used alcahol… on me and a vial etc…..

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Mike Plante

      I don’t if I just showered, otherwise always yes.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. AimmcG

      I try to change it when I bathe. I will take it off the old site then Im clean for the new one. If I have to change it at an off time I use alcohol wipes.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. C T

      I never, quite literally never, do. It’s a terrible habit because I’ll admit my sites aren’t the prettiest when I remove them. I never ran into issues with syringe injections, but with the sites being in the same spot for so many days I find that they get red and ugly quickly so I’ve been trying to be better and keep alcohol on hand for site changes

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Britni

      I haven’t used alcohol swabs for injections since I was a little kid. The year that I was using the Omnipod Dash I did use them before applying a new pod, but I’m back on MDI now.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Jane Cerullo

      I am now using an IPort for MDI so I clean site prior to inserting device. When i was giving myself subcutaneous injections never

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. mojoseje

      When I was 7, I used alcohol but not since I went to high school. I’ve had diabetes for 52 years and have never had a problem. Now that I use CGM, I always clean the site with alcohol.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. DiabetesC

      I chose always for pump sites, but I would choose never for injections. So I need an always/never option…

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Brian Vodehnal

      For injections, never. For CGM insertions, always.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Natalie Daley

      When changing the CGM sensor always — alcohol also for removing excess Skin Tac after application. Never for injections — no site infection issues in 30 years of shots.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Lyn McQuaid

      I always use IV Prep to prepare my skin before inserting the pump and I believe it has alcohol in it? The main reason I use it is to make the insertion set adhere to my skin better, not for cleaning. I rarely take injections but never use anything for them.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Nevin Bowman

      I have at some point in my life, but it’s been long enough ago that I have no idea when I’ve last used alcohol – probably at least 30 years.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Joan Benedetto

      For pump and Cgm sites, we use IVPrep wipes prior to insertion.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Patty Harris

      40 years of injections and pump changes – NEVER!!
      Only use alcohol wipes when performing a sensor change.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Nicholas Argento

      I do if I did not just take a shower but I usually do it after a shower . As a doc I see few infections but some people are far more prone to site infections. On that case I recommend using a better soap that kills staph bacteria like hibiclens

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. KarenM6

        Thank you for that recommendation! I’m completely paranoid about infections, so the Hibiclens sounds like something to try!

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Jeanne McMillan-Olson

      For pump sites I use IV prep and for Dexcom alcohol wipes as recommended. Never use if taking an injection.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Ms Cris

      Always for infusion site and CGM site, plus Skin Prep.
      For Symlin injections or other, rarely since I may be in the office, eating out, etc. (I hate the idea of going to a germ filled bathroom to inject. So it’s “cleaner” to inject stealthily where I am, and using hand sanitizer.)

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Amy Jo

      I usually place a new site right after I shower, so I don’t alcohol swab then. If I haven’t just showered I will use alcohol

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Thomas Cline

      It seemed inappropriate to combine a question about injections with a question about sites for equipment such as pumps and CGM sensors. I never bother to wipe for an injection but I do for my CGM sensor. Indeed I have no qualms about injecting through my shirt — and can inject when surrounded by people who never even know I’ve done it — beyond the problem of occasional blood spots on my T-shirt. I’ve been doing so for 20 years and have never had even the slightest hint of an infection at the injection sites. I do wipe for my CGM sensor (both the battery and the application site), but that is as much for maximizing the adherence of the adhesive and insuring good electrical contact with the battery as for any concern about infection. I think that for those of us who generally keep our bodies clean, the recommendation to always use an alcohol pad before injection is unnecessary.

      4
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Yaffa Steubinger

      I feel those two options are very different because I never use an alcohol wipe before an injection but always use a wipe before attaching my Dexcom.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Linda Murphy

      got an infection once, had to go to plastic surgeon, fortunately didn’t need his help, healed on own but cannot use that site anymore

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. MT

      Injections no, pump sites yes.
      Have used both over the years.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Bruce Schnitzler

      Rarely when I was injecting, but almost always now that I am using an insulin pump.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. mbulzomi@optonline.net

      ALWAYS. I use I.V. Prep for my Tamdem Auto-Soft 90 injection sites. Only Alcohol for my Sensor sites. (That should have also been part of the question.)

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Mark Schweim

      Rarely. Sometimes for syringe injections but the Skin Tac main liquid ingredient is the same rubbing alcohol the alcohol wipes contain so by applying Skin Tac to my skin I actually AM also cleaning the area with alcohol at the same time so seems a bit of overkill to first clean with an alcohol wipe only to then use another product on the same area that also contains the same kind of alcohol.

      I use Skin Tac both for my pump infusion sites and my Dexcom sensors. Have only used alcohol wipes for syringe injections since 1991 and have never had any infections.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Anna Kiff

        So true!

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Janice Bohn

      I change my pump site after my shower so rarely also use alcohol wipes as that can be too drying. I do use a spray protective barrier on my skin before applying any devices

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Lucia Maya

        I’m curious what kind of spray you use? I use Skin Tac wipes and they’re always a mess and wasteful.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Carol Meares

      Infusion sites always.
      Shots which I do maybe 3x/week almost never.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Bob Durstenfeld

      Always for a new pump site, rarely for a shot.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. KSannie

        Ditto

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Lawrence S.

      When I first became a diabetic, my doctor told me to always clean my sites with an antiseptic; sanitation is important. I Always clean my injection, and insertion sites with alcohol wipes, IV Prep wipes or Skin Prep wipes.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Anna Kiff

        I’ve also learned since trying out the Omnipod, that if you do have sensitive skin. Just using soap / water .. ensuring area is dry .. alcohol cwipes/etc. can be skipped. Again, it may work for moi and not necessarily others, but as posted above in this thread discussion …no probs with injection/pump sites over my period of T1D.

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. KarenM6

      I am sooooo paranoid about infections! I always use alcohol wipes when sticking sharp things into my body!
      Interestingly, I’m wondering if it is possible to be allergic to alcohol wipes… this is a question for my doctor!

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Becky Hertz

      Injection, rarely. Insertion site, always.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. PamK

      I found that using antibacterial soap on my skin before inserting an infusion set leaves me with less skin irritation. However, I do still use an alcohol wipe when I have to give myself a shot and/or check my blood sugar with a meter.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. Wanacure

      I’m more fastidious about washing my hands before eating and after using toilet. I used to carry a small refillable vial of hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizing stations have become so prevalent at grocery stores, shopping malls, libraries after Covid, I can clean my hands anywhere.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. lynn nelson

      I have very dry skin/eczema

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Anna Kiff

        Me too and it’s so bad this year! If I had a GP Id be seeing if I could get a low cortisone cream, but using off the shelf creams to currently battle the worst case I’ve had since I was in grade school in the 70’s. What do you use if it’s not too personal a question?

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. qachemist

      Not almost always. ALWAYS.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. Anna Kiff

      Wow I was surprised by the responses. I’m an Always or Almost always with insulin pump/CGM. With MDI, I’m in that Never/Always. And touch wood after almost 60 years as a T1D no infections, etc. And I’ve got highly sensitive skin to boot! I must have good genes …Levi’s 🤣🤪?

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Wanacure

        Anna, for dry itchy skin, ask your Primary Care Physician to refer you to a dermatologist. Avoid long hot showers or baths and avoid soaps which can dry skin even more. Use cool or cold water with washcloth 2x per day.. Keep your pump or tube of moisturizing cream in the fridge. Cold relieves itching. Apply moisturizer when skin is still damp, except feet and crotch where fungus can be problem. If necessary your dermatologist can prescribe a 2% cortisone type ointment to apply sparingly to limited itchy spot(s) for no more than 2 weeks. Apply moisturizer over the cortisone. Follow procedure 2x per day. Try changing clothes or undergarments 2x per day. Some folks apply olive oil. Others eventually just use generic brand petroleum jelly. Avoid strong detergents washing clothes. Try wearing organic cotton boxer shorts. Men, consider kilts. You might consider personal hygiene methods involving bidet or fancy Japanese toilet that sprays water on your bum or a moist disposable baby wipe.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. Jneticdiabetic

      I always use alcohol before pump cannula insertions, CGM insertions, and injections except on very rare occasions when a I’ve been away from home & without an alcohol swab.
      I am lazy about fingersticks. Almost never use alcohol and also use the same lancet for months.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. Jeff Balbirnie

      Two entirely different questions!!!

      Swab before a shot, NEVER! Except under extraordinary circumstances, Where I was covered in dirt, mud, germs, Nastiness if a physical kind. So for a shot, almost never.

      For a pump, CGM,… ALWAYS. It’s going to be sticking to my body for a bunch of days, and my skin won’t tolerate it to begin with… So every single time always, and extremely thoroughly.

      Two very different situations

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

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