Sensor application and change out best practices

As your sensor winds down, the information below will prepare you for the next one so you can keep learning, keep tracking, and keep showing up for your health

The Signos app will start alerting you approximately 24 hours before it is time to swap the sensor and will continue to alert you every few hours until the sensor expires. When you are ready to change your sensor, you can remove it by peeling it off just like a bandaid, and get ready to apply the new one. 

For any new sensor, please keep these things in mind:

1. If you decide to replace it before the previous sensor expires, you'll want to go into the Signos app > Settings > CGM > and tap Stop Sensor.
2. You'll want to move to a different part of your body (ie. opposite arm or opposite side of stomach) for the next sensor to allow your skin to breathe.

If you place a sensor after the previous sensor expires, please go to:

1. Signos App Home page > Tap Pair a new sensor > Scan the QR code (or enter the 4-digit code manually) > follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Accounts & Settings > CGM > Start new sensor > Scan the QR code (or enter the 4-digit code manually) > follow the on-screen instructions.

Here are some tips for new sensor sessions and applications:

• Switch Sides: Try applying the new sensor on the opposite arm from the last time. This simple rotation helps prevent skin irritation and gives your body a break. 
• When to place your sensor:
  • Nighttime - We strongly recommend placing your sensor before bed, place your sensor 2+ hours after your last meal and any exercise. Your body’s more stable during sleep, which makes it easier for the sensor to calibrate and gives you cleaner data from the start.
  • Morning - If you want to swap in the morning, you will want to make sure you wait 2+ hours before/after a meal and any exercise. 
  • During the day - If you need to place your sensor during the day, we recommend placing it 2+ hours before/after a meal and any exercise. You want to make sure that you’re not applying your sensor during a glucose spike! 
  • Fasted State - You don't have to be fasted to apply the new sensor, although we do recommend it in order to ensure the most stable conditions. If you apply the sensor without being or remaining in a fasted state, we do recommend that you don't do any vigorous exercise or consume any large or glucose spiking meals/foods for about an hour to keep conditions as stable as possible while it warms up.
• Give it an hour to settle. Your sensor needs time to calibrate. After applying it, hold off on food or excessive/intense movement for about an hour. This gives your data a cleaner baseline to work with.
• Sensors can take up to 24 hours to calibrate. During that period, readings can be unusually high, low, or erratic as the sensor settles. This is a normal part of the sensor's self-calibration process.
• The Signos app will send a reminder when your sensor expires. After that, you have a 12-hour grace period before you stop receiving glucose readings.

It is important to know that your body responds slightly differently to each sensor. This means you can have sensors baseline at different levels, as one may baseline at 75 and the next one could baseline at 95. There is no cause for concern over this, as it is best to look at the relative spikes to food, stress, sleep, and exercise versus the absolute numbers.

Don't Forget - keep you sensor applicator and box handy, just in case you need it for any troubleshooting later. Reach out to support@signos.com if you need assistance.