The Best CGM Patches For Sensitive Skin

CGM patches are simply another layer of adhesive that protects your sensor and keeps it in place longer, so they shouldn’t cause any pain. But for some people with allergies or sensitive skin, patches can cause painful reactions. Not Just A Patch has a variety of patch options for different lifestyles and people with skin sensitivities. They’re made of thin, breathable, hypoallergenic materials that are comfortable for everyday wear.

Applying a CGM patch is painless and simple. For some, removing adhesive irritates the skin. We recommend using an adhesive remover, which loosens the adhesive from the skin and makes it easy to remove your patch.

High-quality patches shouldn’t irritate the average person’s skin, but if you have sensitivities or allergies, it can be hard to find a patch that works for you. Every person’s skin is different, and there are different reasons why a CGM patch might irritate the skin. 

There are four main types of reactions people experience, which include:

• Visible tissue abnormalities (tearing, scarring, and changes in texture or color).
• Hypersensitivity/allergic reactions.
• Lipodystrophy (uneven distribution of fatty tissue)).
• Infections and wounds.

Of course you should avoid putting anything on your skin that causes severe symptoms. But sometimes irritation and reactions can be avoided by properly cleaning the application area, using hypoallergenic patches or tapes, using corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, and using adhesive remover to prevent skin damage when removing the CGM sensor. 

There are many CGM patches that are safe for people with allergies and skin conditions, but it’s not always easy to find the right combination of products. You might have to try a few patch options and application methods before you find what works for you. Make sure to choose a patch that uses medical grade adhesive and hypoallergenic materials. Not all patches are created equally, and there are some on the market that aren’t hypoallergenic. One helpful tip is to use a skin barrier before inserting your CGM sensor. Skin barriers come in the form of wipes, liquids, and adhesive under patches and can help prevent a reaction. Unfortunately for some people, it’s impossible to find something that works for their skin. Sometimes an overreactive immune system can cause skin reactions to not just specific components, but to virtually all adhesive products, even if they are hypoallergenic. But even if you’ve had trouble finding patches that don’t irritate your skin in the past, you might have success with Not Just a Patch CGM patches. Many people who can’t use other CGM patches find that our products don’t cause a reaction. 

Yes! In fact, we encourage it, especially for people with sensitive skin or people who find their CGM adhesive doesn’t stick for the whole sensor session. Alcohol wipes to prep the site are essential to have a clean, oil-free surface to place your sensor. Skin barriers are another great product for sensitive skin because they create a layer on the skin that reduces the chance of irritation from the CGM or patch adhesive. They’re simple to apply, and come in the form of a liquid or wipe. You could also use an underpatch as a skin barrier. It’s similar to a regular CGM patch, but you place it before applying your sensor and overpatch. You can also use adhesive removal products when it’s time to change your sensor. An adhesive remover will lift the adhesive so that when you peel away the patch and the sensor, they don’t pull and irritate your skin. 

At NJAP, we love the Skin Glu barrier adhesive wipes and the Skin Glee alcohol prep and adhesive removal wipes. Check them out on our website!