Subscribe Now

* You will receive the latest news and updates on your favorite celebrities!

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 2 hours, 52 minutes ago
      Anneyun likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      Pretty much always do within 3-4 days of starting a new sensor. Also, has anyone else noticed that their online order form for these things has been broken for like a month or more?
    • 3 hours, 13 minutes ago
      Elizabeth T. likes your comment at
      Has a stranger ever approached you to talk about your visible diabetes device(s)?
      I said yes, but never to have a conversation, it's always more like a "Cool, I have one too" kind of moment. It's a club!
    • 4 hours, 32 minutes ago
      Meerkat likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      Well, since nearly everyone here commented about the Dexcom sensors, I'll add a comment about the Medtronic sensors. I do not use the patches sent by Medtronic as they irritate my skin. I use the Smith and Nephew IV3000 catheter dressing. It works well, keeps the sensor dry when I shower, and generally holds for a week.
    • 5 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Chris Albright likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      I use the free Dexcom patch that you have to order. I don't know why they don't just send it with the sensors. Occasionally I use Simpatch when I either knock the sensor off or I get sweaty.
    • 5 hours, 48 minutes ago
      Sherolyn Newell likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      I've rarely needed to use an adhesive patch for my G6 but have done so occasionally when the original adhesive begins to peel...usually on day 8, 9 or 10. It's nice to have that option with patches supplied for free by Dexcom.
    • 5 hours, 57 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      I am able to pr bolus for Breakfast and dinner as I am at home. I never know when I am going to eat at work so bolus is at start of meal.
    • 5 hours, 58 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      So true about the "I prefer to bolus 15 minutes before ... and always forget" . Me too!
    • 5 hours, 58 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      I usually bolus for breakfast right at the time I start eating. But I prefer to bolus 15 minutes before. Better results. But I always forget.
    • 5 hours, 59 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      You are not alone my friend, you are not alone😬
    • 5 hours, 59 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) compel four answers: 15 minutes before, 15 after, 30 after, and over the next 2 hours. It is no longer a "Set an equation, measure the carbs, and dose" certainty. All bets are off and out the window. It’s less like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, and more like constructing a new house as it sinks. 😣
    • 6 hours, 1 minute ago
      William Bennett likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      I don't remember the online order system EVER working. I always have to call Dexcom for overpatches, after I go through the wasted time of trying to order on the online site. They should save us all time and just take down the site.
    • 6 hours, 6 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      Pretty much always do within 3-4 days of starting a new sensor. Also, has anyone else noticed that their online order form for these things has been broken for like a month or more?
    • 6 hours, 9 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      I use the over patches supplied by Dexcom. They work great.
    • 6 hours, 9 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      Absolutely 100% of the time. Not nearly as physical as I once was, but need to guarantee with ABSOLUTE certainty the @*(#@*# thing STAYS on, if I brush into anything, or get bumped into things....when it comes out early that is a lethal problem IMV
    • 6 hours, 13 minutes ago
      Marthaeg likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      I use the over patches supplied by Dexcom. They work great.
    • 6 hours, 14 minutes ago
      Marthaeg likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      Dexcom G6. ALWAYS with skin protectant (Cavilon) and Dexcom-supplied overpatches.
    • 6 hours, 14 minutes ago
      Megan S likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      Absolutely 100% of the time. Not nearly as physical as I once was, but need to guarantee with ABSOLUTE certainty the @*(#@*# thing STAYS on, if I brush into anything, or get bumped into things....when it comes out early that is a lethal problem IMV
    • 6 hours, 16 minutes ago
      Robin Melen likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      I do use them sometimes though, Especially when I’m traveling
    • 6 hours, 19 minutes ago
      Carol Evans likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      I use Dexcom stinckers purely for decoration when I do wear one. But right now I don’t with it on my abdomen no one sees but me I don’t waste the extra stickers.
    • 6 hours, 25 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      I usually bolus for breakfast right at the time I start eating. But I prefer to bolus 15 minutes before. Better results. But I always forget.
    • 6 hours, 25 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      So true about the "I prefer to bolus 15 minutes before ... and always forget" . Me too!
    • 6 hours, 27 minutes ago
      Mary Halverson likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, do you currently have an adhesive overpatch on your sensor to help it stick?
      I use the over patches supplied by Dexcom. They work great.
    • 23 hours, 41 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      I usually bolus for breakfast right at the time I start eating. But I prefer to bolus 15 minutes before. Better results. But I always forget.
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      I am able to pr bolus for Breakfast and dinner as I am at home. I never know when I am going to eat at work so bolus is at start of meal.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      When did you bolus for your most recent meal? If you bolused multiple times for your last meal, please select all that apply.
      Question is misleading until type of insulin is understood. I said 15 because I use Fiasp insulin.
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • Submit a Question
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
        • Leadership
        • Committees
      • Clinics
      • Meet the Experts
      • Learning Sessions
      • Resources
        • Change Packages
        • Sick Day Guide
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
      • Join Us
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Our Initiatives
    • Partners
      • About
      • Previous Work
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Industry Partnerships
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Donate

    How often do you disinfect your skin before giving yourself an injection or changing a site?

    Home > LC Polls > How often do you disinfect your skin before giving yourself an injection or changing a site?
    Previous

    If you wake up in the middle of the night to treat a low, do you brush your teeth before going back to bed?

    Next

    If you wear a CGM, do you ever experience “compression lows” – false low blood glucose alerts that happen when there is pressure placed on the sensor, typically while you’re sleeping?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) 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 Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

    Related Stories

    Lifestyle

    Qualifying for the Ironman World Championship with Type 1 Diabetes  

    Samantha Walsh, 1 day ago 9 min read  
    Blood Sugar

    How You Can Detect & Delay Type 1 Diabetes Before Symptoms Start 

    Ginger Vieira, 3 days ago 8 min read  
    T2D

    Why Your Heart Health Matters if You Live with Diabetes 

    Ginger Vieira, 1 week ago 5 min read  
    2023 Publications

    Association Between Health Insurance Type and Adverse Outcomes for Children and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes and Coronavirus Disease 2019 

    T1D Exchange, 1 week ago 1 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Pursuing Beta-Cell Transplant with Temporary Immunosuppression  

    Jewels Doskicz, 3 weeks ago 6 min read  
    2023 Publications

    Institutional Barriers to the Successful Implementation of Telemedicine for Type 1 Diabetes Care 

    T1D Exchange, 3 weeks ago 1 min read  

    22 Comments

    1. Britni Steingard

      I said “other.” I disinfect with alcohol before changing a CGM site, but not before taking an injection.

      5
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Judy Hampton

      I disinfect before putting on a new cgm, but not before an insulin injection.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Kathy Hanavan

      I use alcohol before CGM and site changes, but not injections. Have had 2 site infections and don’t want another one!

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. connie ker

      I always use the alcohol wipes provided in the CGM box from Abbott Freestyle Libre. I say ditto to the comments above, I do not use alcohol wipes before injections and never had a problem. I bathe and keep clean under my clothes.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Sherolyn Newell

      I always disinfect after removing and before putting on a new CGM sensor or insulin pod. After removing because there’s a hole in my skin and I have the alcohol wipe out anyway to use on the new site.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Lawrence Stearns

      I’ve been doing this for many years and have always disinfected with alcohol wipes, and use skin barrier wipes for cannulas so they hold better. I’ve never had an infection.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. casey shane

      CGM:(dexcom G6) alcohol wipe every change and I use a skin barrier wipe as well.
      Infusion set: (soft set 90 6mm/23) alcohol wipe to clean area. No skin barrier,But 9/10 times I’m changing sites after a shower. Never an issue with either sites. Rotate sides every change. 3/10 days respectively

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Mark Schweim

      My answer depends on what you consider as “disinfecting.” Since Skin Tac contains rubbing alcohol, I’d say I always disinfect even if I only use the Skin Tac while others have insisted that I’m not disinfecting if I don’t also use an alcohol wipe or pure rubbing alcohol to disinfect the area before applying the rubbing alcohol containing Skin Tac to the surface.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Amanda Barras

      All new pump & CGM sites get wiped down with alcohol first. A lot of my manual injections to correct highs when my pump is running low on insulin and I’m out of the house or in a hurry to take injection and move onto next thing I need to do I just grab and inject on the fly without sanitizing.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Beckett Nelson

      When I’m camping in the backcountry then I’ll wipe with alcohol. When at home, I’ll just change my site fresh out of the shower. Evidence has shown that it is no longer recommended because it dries out and toughens the skin, while not actually making a difference with infection

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Patricia Dalrymple

      Always when changing pump site. Never when testing BG and finger sticking.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Tod Herman

      Today, I always do. But I put ‘other’ because for years I rarely did before giving myself a shot (unless I was obviously dirty). I’ve never had any issues with an area getting irritated or infected.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Jneticdiabetic

      Always use alcohol swab before insulin pump and CGM site changes. I’ve given injections without a pre-alcohol wipes only on a few rare occasions when I needed an emergency backup injection on the go and was out of alcohol swabs in my kit. I almost never use alcohol swabs before BG fingersticks though.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Sally Numrich

      Always with pump site changes. I was trained using Hibiclens, have used it for over 30 years and never had an infection! With injections, never, often through clothes. Also never with finger sticks when I use to do them. And alcohol wipes with Dexcom as I use it to clean the transmitter also.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Julie Akawie

        I have been T1D for 50+ years. Have not disinfected for injections, finger sticks, pump sites, or CGM sensor in 30. Have not had even one infection. Gonna keep doin’ what I’ve been doin’.

        2
        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Ahh Life

      1) CGMs always
      2) Pump tubing always
      3) Needle injections seldom
      4) Fingersticks never. 👍

      5
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Mary Coleman

      Rarely for injection (MDI) or finger sticks. Always use alcohol for Dexcom change.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. JoAnn Pinkowitz

      I use alcohol wipes for Dexcom change. I only started using alcohol wipes before injections since COVID started.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Sahran Holiday

      Soap and water or povidone. Povidone for only Dexcom if washing too inconvenient. Fingersticks rarely. Alcohol makes the skin hard. Years ago while still injecting, needles began breaking in my skin. Switched to povidone, the most effective topical disinfectant.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Becky Hertz

      Always when putting in a new insertion set, rarely when giving an injection.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Leona Hanson

      I use an alcohol wipe every time i change a site, insulin injections and test my blood. I use to not not prep for blood tests and almost lost my thumb not again

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. James Cheairs

      when on MDIs – never but with a pump – always

      2 years ago Log in to Reply

    How often do you disinfect your skin before giving yourself an injection or changing a site? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.




    101 Federal Street, Suite 440
    Boston, MA 02110
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2023 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    2019 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ADA

    12 Stories Related

    2020 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ATTD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 EASD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ISPAD

    7 Stories Related

    2020 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2021 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ATTD

    4 Stories Related

    2021 ISPAD

    9 Stories Related

    2021 Publications

    21 Stories Related

    2022 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2022 ADCES

    4 Stories Related

    2022 ATTD

    10 Stories Related

    2022 ISPAD

    0 Stories Related

    2023 ADA

    12 Stories Related

    2023 ADCES

    2 Stories Related

    2023 ATTD

    7 Stories Related

    2023 Publications

    16 Stories Related

    ADA

    17 Stories Related

    ADCES

    2 Stories Related

    Advocacy

    23 Stories Related

    ATTD

    10 Stories Related

    Blood Sugar

    2 Stories Related

    Conditions

    8 Stories Related

    COVID-19

    6 Stories Related

    EASD

    0 Stories Related

    General Publications

    21 Stories Related

    Get Involved

    11 Stories Related

    Insulin & Meds

    17 Stories Related

    ISPAD

    1 Stories Related

    Journal of Diabetes

    0 Stories Related

    Lifestyle

    16 Stories Related

    Lifestyles

    1 Stories Related

    Meet the Expert

    28 Stories Related

    Mental Health

    12 Stories Related

    News

    35 Stories Related

    Our team

    23 Stories Related

    Partner Content

    7 Stories Related

    Press Release

    7 Stories Related

    Question of the Day

    28 Stories Related

    Research

    73 Stories Related

    Stories

    19 Stories Related

    T2D

    3 Stories Related

    Technology

    26 Stories Related

    Uncategorized

    0 Stories Related

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    • Clear All
    • Sort By

    • Select Category