HI, HD, Some people don't put anything between the peg and their skin-but John's Doc would yell at him anytime John came to an appointment without a gauze pad between the plastic and his skin? What are you doing? And how are you keeping the area clean? The only time John has had any discomfort from the peg is after several days of drinking acidic juices or gatoraid- and twice after taking an antibiotic that wiped out his stomach. Amy