Is Your CGM or Insulin Pump Making Your Skin Irritated? Here's Why and

*Disclaimer: All content and information in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. Last updated on 3/13/25.

Skin irritation from your CGM or insulin pump is a special kind of misery. The diabetes devices meant to make your life easier end up being the thing that really gets under your skin causing redness, rashes, and that non-stop itch that drives you mad.

If you’ve ever found yourself aggressively scratching at your infusion site or dreading every CGM sensor change– don’t worry, we’ve got tips and tricks to help you keep your skin (and your sanity) intact!

Types of Skin Irritation

Skin irritation, like redness, rashes, or itchiness is usually the unwelcomed side effect to the adhesives keeping your CGM or insulin pump in place. Some reactions are mild and barely noticeable, while others show up loud, angry, and determined to make your life miserable. The usual suspects include:

Allergic Reactions (Hypersensitivity): When your immune system decides the adhesive is a personal attack, it fights back with swelling, redness, intense itching and sometimes even blistering. Basically, your skin throws a full-blown tantrum over a tiny ingredient in the adhesive.
Contact Dermatitis: This irritation is what happens when your skin has had enough of the prolonged exposure to an adhesive, friction or trapped moisture. It results in redness, dryness, peeling, and small, itchy bumps.

How to Prevent Skin Irritation from CGMs and Insulin Pumps

If you’re dealing with allergic reactions or contact dermatitis from your CGM or insulin pump adhesives, you know it often feels like your skin is at war with the very devices meant to help you manage your diabetes.

But, there are ways to reduce the irritation, minimize discomfort, and make your diabetes devices more tolerable, such as:

Proper Skin Preparation

Use an oil-free soap to cleanse your skin and make sure it is completely dry. Clean, dry skin means better adhesive hold and less chance for irritation.

Barrier Protection

Give your skin an extra layer of defense against the adhesive with these protective products:

Barrier Wipes : These create a protective layer that reduces direct contact between the adhesive and your skin.
Barrier patch: A patch placed underneath the sensor adhesive to create a protective barrier for your skin.
Over-the-counter steroid spray (Flonase): Spraying this on your skin before inserting your device can help prevent irritation from the adhesive by calming the inflammatory response.
Antiperspirant: An unscented solid or spray antiperspirant helps keep moisture from building up underneath the adhesive to prevent skin irritation.

Rotate Your Sites

Don’t overwork your skin. Switching up your sites gives your skin a break to breathe and reduce the risk of irritation from repeated exposure to the adhesives.

Change Your Devices as Needed

If you notice your skin getting angry before it’s time for a new sensor or infusion site change, talk to your healthcare provider about adjusting the frequency of site changes that better works for your skin.

Test New Products First

Always test new adhesives or barrier products before committing to a full application. Conduct a patch test to make sure it is a good fit for your skin.

Skin Care During and After Sensor and Site Changes

Your skin deserves all the TLC during and after a sensor or site change. Start by using a gentle adhesive remover to carefully lift the adhesive without pulling on your skin. Then, cleanse with a mild cleanser and soothing moisturizer to maintain your skin’s integrity and prevent further irritation.

Consult a Dermatologist

If you’ve tried it all and the irritation still won’t quit, it’s time to call in the professionals. A dermatologist can help pinpoint the cause and suggest solutions that can bring you relief.

Switch Diabetes Devices

As much as we hate to admit it, sometimes the only way to find relief is by switching to a different device when all other options have been exhausted. It’s not an ideal solution, but when your skin keeps throwing a fit and nothing seems to work, trying a new device might be the ticket to getting some much-needed comfort and relief.