hi,
did you try “TORBOT”? if not, u might check it…I have success after the tape gets loose…
check the internet 1th…
good luck
wefi
I’ve found using a Tegaderm patch as an underlay pretty much solves the loss of adhesive issues. Typically I leave a Dexcom sensor for about 3 weeks before replacing, and install this way:
- Use alcohol to remove oils on skin before applying Tegaderm film
- Apply Tegaderm
- Wipe surface of Tegaderm film with Skin Tac and allow 30 seconds to set up
- Apply CGM sensor directly to Tegaderm. The sensor probe easily penetrates Tegaderm
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I have a problem with Tegaderm when doing sports… any sweat under it will simply release it from the skin.
Now I have shaved the place of application and applied an old SkinPrep i found in my storage… probably from 1998 or so. The sensor patch seems to hold pretty well day 6 now. I haven’t done any sports yet though.
Update: SkinTac is a gift from above! I finally managed to get a box here in Europe, actually from the Dexcom representative and the adhesive is sticking incredibly good. Usually, after one week of sports and showering it is half way off, but now it looks like I just put it on.
I did anyhow shave the spot and draw a circle around which I rubbed in plenty of Skin Tac which i presume contributed to the stickiness. It’s so nice to get rid of all the taping!
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I also shave and I would caution you to make sure you give enough wide berth, especially if you are also using a tape. If you SkinTac over your hair your eyes will water when you yank out the sensor and a good ole clump of hair. Also, if you leave your sensor in too long the hair will start to grow back in further making your eyes bleed.
LOL, a friend just asked me how I’m planning to take it off… I didn’t have a good answer. 
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A primary ingredient in Uni-Solve is isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is sufficient to dissolve SkinTac and is much cheaper and available. CVS carries both bottles of isopropyl alcohol as well as wipes.
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Is that ordinary medical alcohol? I also have some old smith&nephew Remove from the 90’s which may work.
Yes, it will be listed as isopropyl alcohol (70%) and it will also be called rubbing alcohol.
You can order Unisolve (or at least a similar product) from Animas Canada, or off of Amazon.
I use Hypafix tape on my sensors when they start to peel up. My skin is very reactive and it’s the only tape I’ve found that I don’t react to.
You can purchase Skin Tac from amazon.co.uk . Personally I prefer the liquid to the boxes of wipes. It is much easier to apply the liquid to the Dexcom adhesive and unlike the wipes, it doesn’t get all over your fingers (which can cause problems trying to apply the tape (e.g. Opsite Flexfix).
What I do is take a cotton ball, soak it with alcohol then apply SkinTac. I can the reuse the cottonball to clean my fingers of the SkinTac.
My bottle of Skin Tac has an applicator in the lid. I just smear it onto the general area, stick down the sensor pad, insert the sensor followed by the transmitter then use the applicator to put more skin tac onto the top of the sensor pad without touching it. Fingers never (hardly ever) get sticky.
But I wouldn’t recommend the Uni-Solve wipes…they honestly don’t work that well for my son’s tegaderm patches and/or his CGM when we remove it. I have to go through 6 wipes each change out. I plan on getting the bottle / liquid whenever I run out of the wipes.
I use Skin-Tac in the bottle with the ball style applicator attached to the underside of the lid. I clean the prospective site with soap, hot water, and mild abrasion with a dry wash cloth. I put the Dex sensor on and then paint Skin-Tac on top of the fabric bandage. It’s important to let it soak through and dry before moving or twisting the underlying skin. I use a hair dryer to speed drying. This method always gets me at least 14 days. Exposure to water does not seem to degrade its adhesion much.
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I use the same method as Terry4. Paint it on after applying the sensor. Works well for me.
I’ve always tried Skin Tac under the sensor and find that it seriously irritates my skin. I’m going to try your method—I’ve never thought of doing that before! (I may even try it on my current sensor, which is on day 28 and due for tape-replacing soon.) I have the Skin Tac wipes, but if it works I’ll pick up a bottle (the wipes are handy for keeping in my little pump emergency kit that lives in my bag, though).
Curious about this, Terry. Isn’t the area covered all sticky and tacky after it dries?
I use ST on the area before I put the sensor on (letting it dry first, but it’s always really sticky), then use it to re-glue the cloth pad back down later (usually week 2), with limited effectiveness.
Grif grips!! Amazing!! I teach Zumba and exercise daily (and of course shower!!). They stay on nicely for me for approx 5-6 days. Easy to change and does not pull off my dexcom or loosen it!!
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