Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Episode: "Fixing the Most Overlooked Problem in Diabetes: Your Skin"
Host: Stacey Simms
Guests: Marie Schiller & Kent Manson
Date: March 3, 2026
Overview
This episode focuses on an often neglected aspect of diabetes management: skin health. Stacey Simms interviews Marie Schiller and Kent Manson, co-founders of Locasana and Healthy Sites, who are driving innovation in preventing and treating diabetes-related skin issues. They discuss current and emerging products—most notably SiteHero, a recovery patch—and their ambitious work on a device to help people detect healthy injection/infusion sites at home, aiming to prevent complications like scarring and lipohypertrophy. The conversation is rich with personal stories, practical advice, and insights for anyone dealing with type 1 diabetes technology and its daily skin toll.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introducing the Problem: Skin as the "Weak Link" in Diabetes Tech
- Skin trauma is inevitable with diabetes from endless needle pokes, infusion sets, and CGM wires ([00:24]).
- Despite technological advances, site irritation, scarring, and "pump bumps" are persistent issues.
- The majority of practical advice comes from the community, not providers or companies.
“We have always thought that infusion sets were the weak link of pumping since day one... But finally, we got something new.” – Stacey Simms [04:55]
The Founders’ Backstory: From Industry to Innovation
How the Concept Began
- Marie and Kent both have long-standing careers in diabetes innovation ([07:00]).
- The “eureka moment” was a conversation with Dr. Satish Garg, who said after all the tech progress, skin health is "the next big issue" ([08:00]).
- An analogy: People need a "stud finder" for their skin—something to help locate safe, healthy infusion/injection sites ([09:17]).
“What people really need is they need a stud finder...The laser that goes beep, beep, beep. We've got the spot to put the nail.”
– Dr. Satish Garg, recalled by Kent Manson [09:17]
Marie’s T1D Perspective: What Really Happens to Skin
- Diagnosed at age 9, with decades of daily site trauma ([11:06]).
- Challenges include infusion set failures and lipohypertrophy—scar tissue that impairs insulin absorption, sometimes irreversibly ([11:35]).
- Manual palpation (feeling for lumps) is rare in clinical practice and often overlooked ([12:43]).
“Even then, when they can feel [scar tissue], that’s like the more severe stage. And once it becomes fibrotic, you can’t reverse it. It's really hard.”
– Marie Schiller [13:25]
- Highlights hidden struggles: remembering rotation, not enough "real estate," and choosing sites becomes an "eeny meeny miny moe" game ([14:08]).
The Stud Finder / “Grid” Device: A Prevention Revolution
- Their envisioned device aims to scan and map an area for healthy and unhealthy injection sites ([15:00]).
- Key design imperatives: simplicity, speed (“cannot be bigger than five seconds”), home use—not clinician-only ([15:32]).
- Prototype status: Not yet finalized; ergonomics and sensor tech are still being finalized ([20:39]).
- Will enable people to mark good sites on a schedule (e.g., once a week), making the site selection process easier ([21:20]).
“We're just at the point that we will bring some clinical prototypes in to collect some data...it cannot be in the clinician office...we need people using it at home.”
– Marie Schiller [15:32]
- Will provide visibility into healthy and “no-go” zones within users’ preferred areas, giving real feedback and empowering smarter rotation ([18:39]).
Skin Healing: The SiteHero Patch
- Recognizing that many already have irritated/scarred sites, they launched SiteHero, a hydrocolloid patch for post-site healing ([23:38], [26:31]).
- Designed specifically for pump bumps/irritated spots, to be applied after site removal, not under active devices ([29:07]).
- Feedback: users find it unobtrusive ("I didn't even know it was on") and it helps sites heal faster, with less redness and raised skin ([30:47]).
“It’s like a pimple patch, but for my site...We have created a very high quality, long term wear hydrocolloid.”
– Kent Manson [32:18, 33:59]
- Intended as a practical, everyday tool rather than a medical miracle. More products in the pipeline are exploring prevention.
Community & Real-World Impact
- Early users include kids and young adults, who find it empowers them in site changes ([34:12]).
- Feedback drives improvements: requests for travel packs, positive reports from parents.
“It's been a really cool thing just to have them feel—and actually adults too—like having used it for six months, it becomes habitual...We need travel packs!”
– Marie Schiller [34:12, 34:51]
Clarifying Availability
- SiteHero patch is available now at healthy sites website.
- Stud Finder/Device is still in R&D, and likely 2–3 years from market, pending clinical validation and regulatory approval ([35:05]).
Broader Skincare Issues: CGM vs. Pump Sites
- Noted differences in tissue responses between CGM and infusion set sites due to the nature of insertion ([22:35]).
- More scientific research is needed to understand tissue variables influencing site accuracy and wear time ([23:38]).
Dreaming Bigger: The 10-Year Vision
- Marie: Real estate (site selection) should no longer be a problem. Fewer site failures, less social stigma about “spots” ([38:07]).
- Kent: People should have guidance and tools to prevent and remedy compromised skin—not left alone to manage irritation and marks ([39:20]).
“My big, hairy, audacious goal is to take any stress related to where you're putting things and make it go away.”
– Marie Schiller [39:09]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Slap it on is like the hidden diabetes motto, right?” – Stacey Simms [30:03]
- “Hydrocolloid is not a hydrocolloid is not a hydrocolloid. There’s different grades…” – Kent Manson [33:59]
- “People are expected to manage irritation marks and compromised skin on their own without any guidance or any support.” – Kent Manson [39:20]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Introduction to the episode’s theme - [00:24]
- Industry backstory: founders’ journey - [07:00–11:06]
- Defining lipohypertrophy and the realities of site trauma - [11:06–14:08]
- Concept and purpose of the “stud finder” device - [15:00–21:20]
- Differences in CGM vs. pump site trauma - [22:35–23:38]
- SiteHero healing patch: conception and function - [23:40–31:54]
- Community impact and user stories - [32:18–34:51]
- Clarification on product availability - [35:05]
- 10-year vision (“big hairy audacious goal”) - [38:07–40:12]
Shout-Outs: Organizations Making a Difference
- Marie: The Diabetes Link – "Peer support mentoring for young adults (18–30) with diabetes" ([35:43]).
- Kent: Beyond Type 1 – “Amazing educational materials, especially for younger generations” ([36:30]).
Final Thoughts
This episode brings attention to a vital but hidden challenge in diabetes: skin and site health. Through clever product design, empathetic understanding, and active community engagement, Kent Manson and Marie Schiller are reshaping what self-care can look like for people with type 1 diabetes. Their innovations—both available and in-progress—could break new ground in preventing pain, scarring, and frustration for millions.
For further information or to purchase SiteHero, visit healthysites.com.
For ongoing updates on the "stud finder" device, watch Diabetes Connections, Healthy Sites social media, and their website.