How To Remove Libre 2 Sensor - Diabetes UK

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You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. How to remove libre 2 sensor

• Thread starter Thread starter MrsA2
• Start Date Start Date Mar 26, 2021

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MrsA2

Expert

Messages 6,933 Type of diabetes Type 2 Treatment type Diet only OK, so trial is finished and I can't get the sensor off. Its stuck like a limpet to the back of my arm. Any ideas or tips please? H

Hopeful34

Well-Known Member

Messages 2,340 Location Yorkshire Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Pump Baby oil, alcohol, nail polish remover or soaking it in the shower or bath are all ways I've read that other people use. Hope you manage to get it off ok.

Rokaab

Well-Known Member

Messages 2,280 Location Reading Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Pump With the libre1's that stuck to me like superglue I tried a number of things:

• soaking it did help, but not always entirely useful at the time unless you were also having a bath/shower at roughly teh same time
• I tried baby oil but for me that didn't seem to help and only seemed to get me a very oily arm
• so I ended up using alcohol wipes, I used them once I got a very small edge of the sticky stuff to lift from my arm as said wipe could slid under and help release it, the wipes also helped remove the sticky stuff from my arm after I'd finally got the sensor off as well

U

UK T1

Well-Known Member

Messages 334 Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Insulin Hi, Are you having trouble getting the actual sensor off, or the sticky residue? If the sensor, I'd advise trying to take the sticker off with the sensor. I have sometimes accidentally just had the sensor which I was trying to peel away from the sticker while the sticker was still on my arm - really really difficult and not intentional! Also echo advice to soak in the bath for either issue. I used alcohol disinfectant wipes quite effectively at first to remove the sticky residue left once I'd removed the sensor. Now have my changeover in the evening so I just have a bath (making sure the arm with the sticky residue is underwater, and the arm with the new sensor is above!) Not always as relaxing as I'd hope

MrsA2

Expert

Messages 6,933 Type of diabetes Type 2 Treatment type Diet only

UK T1 said: Hi, Are you having trouble getting the actual sensor off, or the sticky residue? If the sensor, I'd advise trying to take the sticker off with the sensor. I have sometimes accidentally just had the sensor which I was trying to peel away from the sticker while the sticker was still on my arm - really really difficult and not intentional! Also echo advice to soak in the bath for either issue. I used alcohol disinfectant wipes quite effectively at first to remove the sticky residue left once I'd removed the sensor. Now have my changeover in the evening so I just have a bath (making sure the arm with the sticky residue is underwater, and the arm with the new sensor is above!) Not always as relaxing as I'd hope Click to expand...

What a picture that paints! I only had the one on free trial and won't be using another for quite a while so don't the one up one down technique, luckily

Jaylee

Moderator

Staff Member Moderator Messages 19,135 Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Insulin Hi, I normally change mine due ring shower time. Rip the old one off. 95%. Of the time, adhesive & sensor come together.. Exfoliate the area whilst bathing. I exfoliate the other arm too, in waiting for the next sensor.. I alternate arms. D

Deleted member 527103

Guest

Jaylee said: Rip the old one off. Click to expand...

I was advised to NEVER rip off plasters, etc as this risks irritating my skin and potentially removing skin I too remove the sensor or n the shower. I start by peeling back a small amount. Then let the water cascade into the gap between skin and sensor. This will loosen the glue. Slowly pull back a little more, allowing the water to soak the next bit of glue. Repeat this until the whole sensor is removed. But take care with your ripping. The physio who advised I strap my shoulder was adamant that ripping it off could damage my skin.

Brunneria

Guru

Retired Moderator Messages 21,884 Location Lincolnshire Type of diabetes Type 2 Treatment type Diet only I usually scrape with a nail to lift the edge, the peel it off. They stick hard to my skin, but I just peel steadily.

Jaylee

Moderator

Staff Member Moderator Messages 19,135 Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Insulin

In Response said: I was advised to NEVER rip off plasters, etc as this risks irritating my skin and potentially removing skin I too remove the sensor or n the shower. I start by peeling back a small amount. Then let the water cascade into the gap between skin and sensor. This will loosen the glue. Slowly pull back a little more, allowing the water to soak the next bit of glue. Repeat this until the whole sensor is removed. But take care with your ripping. The physio who advised I strap my shoulder was adamant that ripping it off could damage my skin. Click to expand...

Fascinating, I've personally not had skin irritation regarding how I remove the old sensors. I do tear it off length ways to the arm, starting towards the shoulder, pulling up from the leading edge & away. I certainly haven't torn any ligaments doing it.. D

Deleted member 527103

Guest

Jaylee said: I certainly haven't torn any ligaments doing it. Click to expand...

Probably not many ligaments in your skin. I think the concern is pulling off the top layer of skin. Maybe you’re thicker skinned than I

Jaylee

Moderator

Staff Member Moderator Messages 19,135 Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Insulin

In Response said: Probably not many ligaments in your skin. I think the concern is pulling off the top layer of skin. Maybe you’re thicker skinned than I Click to expand...

If libre ripping was a challenge on a Japanese game show? I'm confident I can hold my own.. K

KK123

Well-Known Member

Messages 3,966 Location Solihull Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Insulin Well I grip the edge and then slowly but VERY firmly..yank it off. Not in one fell swoop but with a degree of force. K

KK123

Well-Known Member

Messages 3,966 Location Solihull Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Insulin

In Response said: Probably not many ligaments in your skin. I think the concern is pulling off the top layer of skin. Maybe you’re thicker skinned than I Click to expand...

Ouch! The top layer of skin? Has that been reported I wonder, sounds nasty. x

MrsA2

Expert

Messages 6,933 Type of diabetes Type 2 Treatment type Diet only And the result was... A little spray of Avon skin so soft dry oil (usually use it for anti mozzie spray). I didnt have any baby oil and this worked like magic, a little lift of an edge, a spray of the oil, rubbing it into the gap and on downwards, then finally round and under so it slid off. Probably about a minute in total working slowly. It was very well on, yanking not an option, not without damaging myself. The probe thingy is much longer than I thought! H

Hopeful34

Well-Known Member

Messages 2,340 Location Yorkshire Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Pump That's great. Yanking if off isn't an option for me either, as it would damage my skin.

LittleGreyCat

Well-Known Member

Retired Moderator Messages 4,421 Location Suffolk, UK Type of diabetes Type 2 Treatment type Tablets (oral) Dislikes Diet drinks - the artificial sweeteners taste vile. Having to forswear foods I have loved all my life. Trying to find low carb meals when eating out. This reminds me that for my first few Libre 1 I had my partner both apply and remove it. Yeah, wimp, I already know. The first couple of times it seemed a real struggle with a lot of tugging and both of us pulling in opposite directions. After that I got a little bolder and started doing it myself. I think the main thing required is the confidence that the sensor will come off without too much force and without personal damage. I would be surprised if peeling it off took skin with it, as it only seems to be stuck firmly to me like a sticking plaster which is reluctant to come off. Then again we are all different. J

Joshpro37

Newbie

Messages 1 Type of diabetes Type 2 Treatment type Tablets (oral) I take tweezers and pull up on the adhesive as much as I can all around the outside circle . Then I pull it off. Seems to come off a little easier.

Ushthetaff

Well-Known Member

Messages 1,190 Location Scotland Type of diabetes Type 1 Treatment type Insulin Dislikes Mountain out of mole hill makers ,queues , crowds , shopping on a Saturday hmm just shopping I guess no matter what day it is I just rip mine off never had a problem ( ex rugby player) saying that I don’t put mine on the back of my arm so I can get a better grip of it on the inside of my bicep you could always bang it against A Door frame that seems to be a really good way of unintentionally getting them off

Antje77

Moderator

Staff Member Moderator Messages 21,542 Location Friesland (the Netherlands) Type of diabetes LADA Treatment type Insulin I'm pretty sure @MrsA2 has gotten hers off by now, seeing as she asked a year and a half ago!

Ushthetaff said: I just rip mine off never had a problem ( ex rugby player) saying that I don’t put mine on the back of my arm so I can get a better grip of it on the inside of my bicep you could always bang it against A Door frame that seems to be a really good way of unintentionally getting them off Click to expand...

Bra straps work very well too, worth a try if you find yourself with a stubborn sensor, @Ushthetaff . Or get a kitten. I've had one pry a sensor off while I slept, sadly long before the two weeks had ended. That said, I'm a rip off kind of person as well (without ever having played rugby) but if I had more sensitive skin I'd opt for an oily solution. Baby oil, olive oil, any oil will do really, even WD40.

MrsA2

Expert

Messages 6,933 Type of diabetes Type 2 Treatment type Diet only Yep, any oily or soapy substance seems to work if rubbed around and under for a good few minutes. Still needs a good pull though!

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