So I have been somewhat on a mission to figure out the best way to wear my Dexcom G4 and get the most out of each sensor. Between working out, yoga and showers, it usually only lasts a few days before it starts to peel up. I had received a bunch of 3M Tegaderm adhesive patches when I got my pump, so I made a little template and cut a space out and put it directly over the Dexcom patch (white adhesive part). It helped with the skin irritation and the peeling versus medical tape that I used to use. Once the Tegaderm started to peel, I was able to remove it and replace with a new fresh one. I was able to get 12 days out of the sensor and it made the Dexcom G4 feel a lot more secure. Below is after the second Tegaderm and 12 days. It came off really easy and only had a tiny bit of sticky left on my skin. It kept the sensor part much cleaner too.
10 Comments
Mike Fults
3/28/2013 02:52:30 am
That's exactly what I do!!! Works perfect and better that Skin Tac which wrecks your skin.
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Natalie ._c-
3/28/2013 05:23:18 am
Great idea to make a template! I'm allergic to Tegaderm, but I can use IV3000, and it's easy to get them. Medtronic makes an infusion set tape that is similar to what you're doing, but no one carries them but Medtronic. So next time I change my sensor or infusion set, I'm going to make templates like yours! :-)
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Brad
3/28/2013 02:53:10 pm
I use IV3000 if the sensor tape starts to peel. When it starts t peel, it always peels from the top and occasionally from the bottom. If it is peel both top and bottom, I use two pieces of IV3000. I cut each one in a horseshoe shape. I put the one on the bottom first, and then overlap the one on the top to protect the legs which are narrower. I feel that the narrower pieces would be more prone to peeling, expecially in the shower with the water hitting them. If the bottom is stuck tight, then I just use one piece on the top.
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Bram
3/30/2013 05:12:22 am
Thanks for all the comments! Yes, I have heard of IV3000 and Opsite Flexifix, but have yet to try them. I really like this new solution because the medical tape really didn't work well for me. This isn't too sticky, so I was able to replace it like new after a few days while keeping my sensor on still. Thanks ALL!
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Steven Iversen
4/3/2013 03:39:01 pm
I used flexifit and love it but ALSO came across Hypafix...you can buy it in a roll on ebay super cheap. I got the 4"x10yd roll for like $12 and its the exact same material the sticky part of the sensor is, more comfortable in my opinion than the tegaderm and flexifit...try out the hypafix
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Phil
8/7/2013 12:53:22 am
Thanks for the response! I started cutting off the white adhesive that came with it, like an idiot, getting the tegaderm over the skin unit and having it all bunched up. Your stencil process on the tegaderm seems much more reasonable, clean, and functional.
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Steve Clark
10/5/2013 10:08:08 am
which size are you using
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Emily
9/17/2014 10:54:31 am
Please help. I've tried several things to get my dexcom to say on for more than 3 or 4 days. The latest is dexcom suggesting allkare wipes and tegaderm. I did everything right- allkare first but making a doughnut, cut a hole in the tegaderm and put it on top of the dexcom adhesive. It's easy to cut a hole actually- just trace the old sensor when you remove it and fold the thing in half. Anyway, despite all this, it is still peeling off and it's uncomfortable!! Hypafix also irritated me. The only thing actually helped was tincture of benzoin but there is no way I can use that again because I got a horrible blistery rash from it which was awful. I don't know what to do- asked endocrinologist, diabetes educator, dexcom, even dermatologist. I like the dexcom but I hate when it starts to peel off.
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Michelle
2/7/2015 07:13:18 pm
Hi there,
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