You don’t have to choose between managing your diabetes and enjoying your hygiene routine. You can take steps to keep your devices safe while showering or bathing, whether you prefer to disconnect them or trust them to stay in place in the shower or tub.

Yes, you may wear certain diabetes technology in the shower and bathtub.

Tubed insulin pumps may need to be disconnected or not submerged in water, but CGMs and other devices may be OK.

You are in control of your device and diabetes management. By knowing the limits of your insulin pump or other diabetes devices, and how your body responds to showers and baths, you can enjoy your daily soak without worry.

Most traditional tubed insulin pumps are only water-resistant or splash-proof, and not fully waterproof for sustained submersion under water. You generally have two main options for using this type of insulin pump when showering or bathing:

  • Disconnect: Disconnect the pump at the infusion site (leaving the cannula in place) and keep the pump unit outside the shower or tub, in a cool, dry place like on a counter, nearby shelf, or on the floor beside the shower or tub as long as it stays dry. To avoid high blood sugar, it’s generally recommended not to disconnect for more than 30 to 60 minutes. This is usually fine for a standard shower, but it may be a concern for a longer bath.
    • Suspend insulin: You will want to stop (or suspend) insulin delivery on the pump before disconnecting to prevent it from wasting insulin.
    • Insulin beforehand: Depending on your current blood sugar and how long you’ll be disconnected, you may need to give yourself a small bolus beforehand to compensate for the missed basal insulin. Make sure to know how your blood sugars may respond to hot showers and baths, and check with your healthcare team about specifics on insulin use and blood sugar levels during this time.
  • Stay connected: If you keep the pump connected, you will want to protect it. That might mean placing it on a shelf or in a waterproof pouch to keep it dry. Avoid exposing the pump and the insulin inside to hot water, as heat can degrade insulin and speed up absorption.
  • Drying off: After your shower or bath, make sure to take care of any sites on your body where you have a connected diabetes device. Pat that area dry instead of rubbing it to avoid tearing off the infusion set or diabetes device part.

Omnipod and other patch pumps without tubing exist, which allows some people more flexibility in how they wear their pump when showering or bathing. These patch pumps are splash-proof and slightly more waterproof, although they still have limitations and can’t be submerged too deeply for too long.

For long-term security, device makers and medical experts recommend using adhesive patches or barrier wipes to prevent the sensor from peeling off in the presence of water, heat, and steam.

Always check your device’s documentation or contact the company directly to inquire about specific limitations the device may have regarding showering, bathing, and other water exposure, such as swimming pools and hot tubs.

You may also want to consult your healthcare team for any guidance they can offer on managing your diabetes with these devices.

Yes, you can typically wear a CGM in the shower or bath.

These devices are designed to be water-resistant and can handle routine water exposure if you follow the manufacturer’s specified depth and time limits.

Although the CGM sensor and transmitter or patch are typically waterproof, the constant moisture from showering can weaken the skin’s adhesive, causing the sensor to peel off prematurely.

Yes, you can find many different products designed for use with your insulin pumps and CGM devices while showering or bathing.

Some of these are shower or bath caddies, cases, or pouches that you can put the device into and attach to your body or keep nearby and keep it dry.

  • Flexible pouches: These are soft, clear, flexible bags with a clamp or roll-top system that creates a watertight seal around the tubing. Your pump goes inside the pouch, the tubing is threaded through a special seal, and the pouch can be worn around the neck or wrist or hung on a shower head or nearby hook. They are typically splash-proof and allow for brief, shallow immersion.
  • Hard-shell cases: These are durable cases that seal around the pump, typically custom-made for a specific pump model, such as the Tandem t:slim X2 or Medtronic Minimed pump. These can offer more protection for bathing, swimming, and submersion in deeper water.
  • Infusion site caps or covers: Tubed insulin pumps and their supplies typically include a small cap or cover for use with your infusion set when you disconnect the pump. You place the provided plastic cap over the exposed infusion site to prevent water and soap from entering the cannula.
  • Bandages: You can place a small, clear, waterproof bandage like Tegaderm or Opsite directly over the capped infusion site for an extra layer of protection against direct water exposure.
  • Manufacturer-provided patches: Some CGM systems offer or include an optional clear or skin-tone overlay patch for extra security.
  • Adhesive overlay patches: Many third-party companies sell circular or custom-shaped patches specifically cut to fit over different CGMs. These patches are typically made from breathable, waterproof materials like medical-grade tape and can come in various colors, patterns, or clear, transparent films. Some of these include popular brands in the diabetes community, such as Simpatch, GrifGrips, and ExpressionMed.
  • Adhesive wipes and liquids: They leave a sticky film on the skin to dramatically improve the bond with the device adhesive. They also act as a protective barrier to reduce skin irritation. Skin-Tac and Mastisol are common options used by people with diabetes.

Blood sugar effects from showers and baths

People with diabetes may experience higher or lower glucose levels when they take hot showers and baths. Consult your healthcare team to understand how hot water may affect your diabetes management and how you can best manage these bathing times.

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You can take a shower and bath if you’re wearing an insulin pump or diabetes device, though it may depend on the type of technology you’re using and certain other factors.

Some people may want to disconnect a tubed insulin pump or device, especially if they have concerns about its water resistance or waterproofness. Make sure to manage your time away from basal insulin safely and be mindful of any device adhesives and sites on your body to ensure you don’t knock them off.

Your diabetes care team can help guide you on blood sugar and insulin management during showers or baths, and any steps you might take to address high or low blood sugar levels.

They might recommend checking your blood sugar or reviewing your CGM glucose trends before a shower or bath, and 30 minutes after a longer, hot shower or bath, especially if you’ve disconnected the device or experienced glucose swings due to temperature changes.