I discovered with the pads is there is a fair amount of Unisolve liquid left in the foil packet when you remove the pad.
So, after using the pad/towelette to transfer as much Unisolve as possible to the target adhesive pad, I carefully take the packet, put the open end on the target, then invert it and squeeze the excess liquid out. I usually get a meaningfully significant amount of extra liquid soaked in this way.
No. not talking about that at all. talking about Mastisol vs Skin Prep.
Is there a video for using skintac and dexcom? Iāve read some people apply the skintac over the adhesive. Others apply the skintac on the skin, then put the adhesive on the skin.
Hi lh,
I put my sensor down first, then use the swab from the bottle of skintac to swipe the adhesive on top of the dexcom pad. Then I place a piece of Tegaderm (with a small hole cut into the center for the transmitter) on top of that. It works like a charm for me!
I apply Skin-Tac just like Shelby and use a hair dryer to dry dexcom pad and ensure that it doesnāt wrinkle or pull away from the skin. I donāt use the Tegaderm, however, and find the adhesive can last at least 14 days. Before I apply a new sensor, I wash the site with soap and warm water and vigorously rub the site dry with a towel.
I realize you made this post almost a year ago but I just found it. My son is the one with Type 1 and weāve had the exact same problem.Weāve even tried the tegaderm thing and it deosnāt help. The reason Iām replying to you though is diffrent. When I called Dexcom to tell them about the problem and told them that he was going through a sensor every 2-3 days they sent me free replacements for all the ones that lasted less than a week. I didnāt even have an exact amount, just guestimated how many weād used and they replaced all of them. They also said that since the sensors are supposed to last 7 days any that donāt - no matter what the reason - would be replaced for free. Apparently itās their policy 
Jumping in after nearly a year of experience and testing. Iāve had trouble with the rashes, sometimes severe enough to disturb my sleep, so Iāve read this thread thoroughly, plus whatever else I can get my hands on. Dexcom support, regrettably, was little help. They simply advised me that if I was getting a bad rash to stop using the product. But thereās no way Iām going to give up my Dexcom G4!
The related problem is that the adhesive also does not stick especially well to me. These days Iām using the off-label arm location, which works best for me in regards to both less rash and better adhesion.
Iāve kept a log of various combinations of the following. Although nothing seems to be consistently successful, hereās what Iāve found, starting from the skin working out:
Alcohol Wipes:essential. That always goes on first to remove any skin oils or other residue.
Tegaderm plastic film: I wore this on its own on my arm for a week with no rash, but under the sensor adhesive it was not successful for me. Itās also hard to use because itās so thin.
Bard Wipes, allegedly a protective barrier film and sometimes adhesive enhancer. Iāve had mixed results with and without this. Currently, I often skip this.
SkinTac:This is the most satisfactory adhesive booster for me, wiped on and let dry before applying the sensor. Itās way sticky, both under the sensor adhesive and on my fingers and arm. These days I gently dab away any stickiness outside the sensor adhesive with alcohol only. I donāt bother creating a donut hole in the middle of the SkinTac for the sensor filament. I havenāt noticed any reduction in sensor accuracy with this method.
UniSolve to remove the old sensor: I had been using the UniSolve on the arm with the new sensor to clean up excess SkinTac, but was concerned that I my be allergic to the UniSolve.
Then I apply OTC cortizone cream and/or Benadryl cream to both the old and new arms to address any rashes as needed during the week. My dermatologist said she wasnāt concerned about this excessive use of cortizone, so Iām going to keep doing it. Knowing that the cortizone can disrupt the skin, I stop using it on the unoccupied arm several days before I expect to apply a new sensor.
I still get rashes, but they are far reduced from when I started and I can mostly tolerate them. Right arm is better than left for no scientific reason I can think of.
Iād be glad for any additional thoughts anyone has. As always, these results are pretty anecdotal and may reflect more about me and my skin than any authoritative recipe.