If you’ve noticed redness, dryness, or a rash where the hydrogel pads sit on your skin, this article walks through why that happens and what to do about it, both to prevent it and to help your skin recover if it’s already started. In most cases, it comes down to a few simple habits you can build into your routine. Here’s what’s actually going on, why it tends to creep up slowly instead of showing up right away, and what you can do about it, both to keep it from starting and to calm things down if it already has.