Ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of your FreeStyle Libre Sensor is essential for uninterrupted glucose monitoring. In this guide, we'll share five practical tips to help you safeguard your sensor, providing you with reliable and accurate readings throughout its usage. Let's explore these simple yet effective strategies to protect your device and enhance your experience with the FreeStyle Libre system.
How to protect your Freestyle Libre Sensor
You can apply a medical-grade adhesive or tape over the sensor. Applying a medical-grade adhesive is a practical way to enhance durability of the sensor. Ensure the adhesive is hypoallergenic and designed for medical applications to avoid adverse skin reactions.
5 Helpful Tips to Stop Your FreeStyle Libre from Falling Off
1. Ensure a Clean and Dry Sensor Area
Before attaching the FreeStyle Libre sensor, ensure that the skin in your chosen area is clean, dry, and sweat-free. Use the provided alcohol wipes to clean the skin in a circular motion, starting from the centre and moving outward. This is crucial, as any residue or moisture can compromise the adhesive's effectiveness. Allow the cleaned area to fully dry before attaching the sensor.
2. Wait One Hour Before Exposure to Water
For the best chance of adhesive success, wait at least one hour after applying a new sensor before exposing it to water. This applies to activities such as showering, swimming, or exercising. Also avoid putting on a new sensor immediately after a shower, allowing your skin atleast an hour to dry before applying a new sensor.
3. Monitor Edges for Lifting
Be attentive to any slight lifting around the edges of your Libre Sensor. Even though the sensor may feel firmly in place, these small edge lifts can lead to accidental dislodgement. A loose edge makes it easier for a shirt sleeve or an awkwardly positioned door frame to catch and pop it off. It's crucial to be attentive to any lifting edges of your Freestyle Libre or Libre 2 sensor throughout the entire 14-day period.
4. Extra Protection with Adhesive Tape
Explore additional products on the market specifically designed to cover and protect Libre 1, 2 and 3 sensors with adhesive tape. A good quality adhesive patch will keep the sensor secure, giving you peace of mind.
5. Avoid Body Lotion
If you use skin oils or body lotions, then be careful not to use them around the area of insertion. Oil on the skin can make it harder for the sensor to attach and can also prevent any adhesive patches from sticking to your skin.
Additional Tips for Securing Your Sensor (Bonus)
Easy Does It
Be cautious not to snag your sensor on objects like doorways, car doors, seat belts, or furniture edges.
Slow Down
When dressing or undressing, exercise care to avoid catching your undergarments on the sensor.
Pat Dry
After a shower or swim, take extra care when drying with a towel to prevent catching or pulling off your sensor.
Play It Safe
For contact sports and vigorous exercise, choose a sensor site on the back of your upper arm to minimise the risk of the sensor being dislodged.
Hands Off
Resist the urge to play with, pull, or touch the sensor while wearing it for a secure and uninterrupted monitoring experience.
How to safely remove FreeStyle Libre Sensor?
Many resources and YouTube videos teach how to use Freestyle Libre, but there's not much talk about taking it off. The way you remove it depends on what you like, but here’s our suggestions:
- Lift it gently from an edge - it should come off relatively easily.
- Pull with steady pressure.
- Use baby oil or removal wipes to loosen the adhesive if needed.
For future removals, you might want to think about shaving the area where you're putting the sensor beforehand. This can make it stick better and come off more easily!
Wrapping Up
Making sure your FreeStyle Libre Sensor lasts and performs at its best, is crucial for uninterrupted glucose monitoring. In this guide, we've shared some simple tips to keep your sensor safe and provide reliable readings. If you’d like to ensure that you never lose another FreeStyle Libre, give our specially designed Freestyle Libre patches a try. You’ll have one less thing to worry about in your busy life with diabetes.
Take a moment to read through the pros and cons of FreeStyle Libre, gaining valuable insights into the advantages and potential drawbacks of this innovative technology
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Disclaimer: The information presented on this blog is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided by this blog is at your own risk, and we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified healthcare professional for individualised advice regarding your specific situation.
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