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Wearing sensor

Wearing your SmartGuide sensor

The SmartGuide sensor can be worn for up to 14 days. To get the most out of your experience, learn more about how to apply your SmartGuide CGM sensor, how often your sensor needs to be replaced, and what to watch for during everyday activities.

Picking the right spot for your sensor

The recommended placement for the sensor is the back of the upper arm. This area usually provides a smooth surface and less friction from clothing. Proper preparation of the application site is crucial for ensuring the CGM sensor adheres correctly and functions reliably. Remove body hair from the application site to ensure a stronger hold of the adhesive. Wash the area thoroughly with fragrance-free soap to clean the skin, then disinfect it with an alcohol wipe and allow it to dry completely. This is a key step, as any moisture or residue from lotions or oils can compromise the plaster's stickiness. When choosing a location, avoid sites that have been recently used (consider changing arms with each new sensor), as well as scars, stretch marks, liver spots, knots, or visible blood vessels. Maintain a space of at least 7.5 cm (3 inches) from your insulin injection sites for optimal effectiveness.

Putting the sensor on

Check the expiry date of the applicator and if the pull tab has already been opened before use, discard the device and use a new one. When you place the applicator on your arm, keep it steady and flat against the skin. After the sensor clicks into place, run your fingers over the plaster to help it seal. This step supports even contact with the skin. The first few hours after application are crucial for sensor adhesion to set, so try to avoid heavy sweating or getting the sensor wet straight after application.

What to expect during daily activities

The sensor's plaster is designed for durability during daily routines, including showering and light physical activity. Your sensor is water-resistant. Here's what you need to know about daily wear:

Time limit: The device can be in water for up to 60 minutes at a time.
Depth limit: The maximum depth is 1 meter (3.3 feet).

Safety is paramount. To prevent damage to your device, you should always consider both the time and depth limitations. Following these guidelines ensures water resistance and helps maintain optimal device performance.

Choose loose-fitting clothes and take care when dressing up, drying yourself after showering or swimming to avoid snagging the device. Gently pat the area instead of rubbing around the sensor. Try to avoid leaning the sensor against hard surfaces like door frames, seat belts, or furniture edges.
Keep up with your usual hygiene routine, but avoid direct contact with soap or shampoo around the sensor. Use only the minimum amount of soap to keep the sensor clean.

Occasionally, the outer edge of the plaster may lift slightly, which doesn't necessarily mean the sensor needs replacement.

Caring for your skin

Here are a few simple tips for sensor care:

Quick daily check: Give your sensor site and plaster a quick look every day for any signs of redness, swelling, or irritation. If it's bothering you, take it off and reach out to your doctor. If you know you have sensitive skin, you can check in with your healthcare professional before you start using the sensor.
Gentle cleaning: Stick to your normal shower routine. When using products like soap, bodywash, shampoo, or conditioner, try to keep them from having excessive contact with the adhesive patch. Use only the minimum amount of soap to keep the sensor clean.
Keep an eye out: Your skin might react to the sensor or its adhesive. If you notice any irritation, inflammation, or a skin reaction (like an allergy or eczema), it's best to remove the sensor right away and call your doctor.

How to help the sensor stay put

You can try using a breathable overtape to create a protective barrier between the sensor or adhesive pad and the skin. If you choose to use an overtape, place it directly on top of the adhesive right after inserting the sensor. Applying the overtape immediately after sensor application helps create a clean, secure bond.

There is no single option that works best for everyone when it comes to overtape or ringtapes. Everyone's skin reacts differently, and daily habits can influence how each solution performs. It may take a little experimentation to find what feels most comfortable and stays secure for you.

Overtapes need to be large enough, and acrylate-free.¹ Don’t use the needle or sensor to pierce the overtape.

While protective layers like overtapes can provide a valuable defense, it's important to be mindful of potential challenges and considerations when using them. Here are some things to watch out for:
- Adding extra protective layers above the sensor may give wrong glucose level readings and result in incorrect insulin doses.
- Ensure that the skin is completely dry for the adhesive to stick, keeping the device in place and preventing it from falling off.
- Sometimes barrier methods can cause skin reactions. Just like when you’re applying the sensor adhesive, watch out for any irritation, inflammation, or a skin reaction (like an allergy or eczema) when using an overtape and contact your healthcare provider.
By keeping these points in mind, you can better manage the use of protective layers and ensure the effectiveness and reliability of your sensor.

When to replace your sensor?

Getting the most out of your sensor and how often you should replace it relies heavily on proper sensor use. A key aspect of this is understanding the wear period and the protocol for removal and replacement.

The sensor is designed for a 14-day wear period. This design ensures consistent, reliable performance throughout those two weeks. Once this period is complete, it's essential to remove the old sensor and apply a brand-new one to maintain your continuous glucose data stream.

A crucial note on sensor integrity

We understand that occasionally, a sensor might come off prematurely. If your sensor falls off before the 14 days are up, do not attempt to reapply it or secure it with other protective layers. A sensor that has detached cannot be reused. Trying to reapply a fallen sensor may compromise the sterile seal and the accuracy of the readings. In such cases, the best and safest course of action is to discard the fallen sensor and immediately apply a fresh one.

By correctly applying the sensor and replacing any prematurely detached sensor with a new one, you ensure you're getting the highest quality experience for effective glucose management.

Removal and disposal

Once the sensor is removed from your skin, it must be handled as potentially infectious material. Dispose of it, along with any exposed needle or sharp component, following your local guidelines. Most packaging materials can go into regular household waste separation.

Find out more about how to share your CGM data with your healthcare provider.

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References:

Kamann S, Wagner N, Oppel E. Modern diabetes devices for continuous blood sugar measuring: Limitations due to contact allergies. JDDG J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2021 Dec;19(12):1715–1721.