How To Deal With Skin Irritation From Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems

Glucose monitoring systems use strong adhesives that tend to cause skin irritation and dermatitis. These issues can be resolved by working on the root cause. If you are reading this post, chances are you are doing some research on how to handle skin irritation.

In this article, we have compiled a list of tips and facts to help you prevent or get rid of skin irritation caused by the adhesives in your CGM system or insulin pump.

• If you are trying a sensor or set while you continue to experience skin irritation, it is unlikely that your problem will subside without any medical intervention. This problem will only worsen over time.
• Keep the affected skin area dry and clean. Non-perfumed soap or a cleaning solution, essentially without any strong chemicals in composition, can help prevent bacterial growth without damaging the skin further. Use a swab soaked in an alcohol-based solution on the affected skin area to disinfect it. Let this area completely dry once it is nice and clean.
• You may get periodic and short-lived relief from sprays and anti-histamines approved by doctors. If you want to get long-term relief, you may consider using prescribed creams and sprays that tend to leave an effect for several days after the first application. Be sure to discuss with your doctor before using these long-term solutions.
• Some skin barriers come in wipes and sprays. These solutions create a barrier film over the skin to prevent it from getting damaged due to the strong adhesive. You can look through different brands to choose the product of your choice. Most of these products are waterproof but can be removed with water and gentle scrubbing. Using soap can also make barrier removal quite convenient, but make sure you are using non-perfumed soap.
• You can also choose to use the tape backing on the sensor. Be sure to create a correct-sized hole in the patch of tape to let the sensor pass through and come in contact with your body. You can discuss these barrier options with your doctor or surgical staff.
• It is also possible to apply tape directly to the skin and then apply your set or sensor to that tape.

Contact dermatitis and skin irritation

Several adhesive additives can cause flare-ups in skin allergies. These additives can be both synthetic and natural. The best way to deal with contact dermatitis is to discuss the problem with your healthcare provider and ask for the adhesive additive that won’t result in a flare-up. Since everyone’s skin is different, getting your skin examined is necessary so that your doctor can recommend the right solution.

Make sure to discuss the skin problem with your doctor as soon as you experience any discomfort. Delaying a consultation will only worsen this problem.

Getting your Supplies

Right now, we’re living in an unprecedented time in modern history. While a lot of people seem to understand the urgency of the current pandemic situation, there is still a huge chunk of people who aren’t taking it seriously enough, which is an unfortunate situation to find ourselves in as a species.

Now, I could go on and on about what the implications of this whole situation happen to be. Instead, I’m choosing to look at the good it can bring to the world and how we’re going to recuperate as a planet (and not just as a nation). The obvious things sticking out about this pandemic are the deaths it has and will cause and the major impact it’s had on the economy.

But what about the future of our healthcare system? What about how things operate from here on out? I’ve got a few people in my life that will be impacted (for the better!) by this thing, and it’s only beginning to ramp up. You see, things like Hollister ostomy supplies currently can make a few people wonder why prices are set as they are. Luckily, brands like that have made the highest quality supplies available, and people who are on good health insurance plans don’t see the costs as they are.

Nonetheless, there are others who aren’t so lucky with their health insurance situations, which means they aren’t as lucky to see “nothing” on their bill whenever they visit their ostomy specialist. And so after this whole thing pans out, I truly believe a lot of healthcare will be shifted in favor of a more regulated system where lower-income individuals can afford not only the healthcare they need but also the supplies and medicines that are unique to their situations. So no matter how much you feel like you’re in desperate need of things like insulin, Hollister ostomy supplies, or other basic prescribed medicines and supplies, you should be covered in the long run.

It’s stuff like this pandemic that should bring our species together in solidarity rather than push us apart, like we’ve been doing to one another for the past century. I’m excited for the change that will be enacted once this all passes over, because the current state of the world definitely does need overhauled for the better of everyone, not just the top few. And when we come together to realize that, real change happens to pull us all up.

Urostomy: What You Need to Know

Most patients agree that the most challenging time during their life with an ostomy is right after the procedure. Their body is in quite a bit of pain and will take a few days to heal. In the meatine, the nurses and healthcare professionals will assist the patient in learning ostomy care. The patient (or caretaker) will have to learn all the necessary steps to keeping the stoma healthy and clean. They will learn how to drain, clean, and change their bags around their stoma. They will also have to learn the different types of adhesives and what type is best for them. All of these supplies will be ordered prior from Hollister ostomy supplies.

Here are a few more types that have to do with life in general after a urostomy. Patients should expect a slight odor when draining the urostomy. There are different types of bags that can mask odor more depending on the patient’s needs. There are also deodorizing sprays that can be applied several times a day. To help check that odor in check patients should be testing and then limiting certain types of foods. Food to limit at first would be foods such as: asparagus, eggs, and cheese. Depending on the patient these types of foods can really increase the odor. Some people have found that drinking multiple glasses of water and taking extra Vitamin C can help.

Patients should expect up to seven days in the hospital for recovery. But they should also give extra time after the hospital stay to get acclimated at home before returning to work. At the hospital, patients have nurses and healthcare professionals to help them with all of their new daily tasks. Once the patient gets home they will have to do their daily routine entirely on their own.

Time returned to work also depends on the type of work the patient will be doing. Desk work will be an easy adjustment as they will just have to empty their bags a few times a day. Laborious work may have to wait a while longer for the urostomy to completely heal. People who are laborers should consider purchasing an ostomy belt from Hollister ostomy supplies.

 The belt will keep the pouch in place to ensure the stoma and bag are safe during work. The belt can always be used for athletes or people who exercise on a daily basis. There are even waterproof options for people who sweat or spend time in the water.