I searched for this topic but … no recent luck. My G6 up until recently stuck with its own tape for the first 7 days then I would add overtape for the remaining 13 days I could use it. The last two times, the original tape has not lasted beyond the 7 days or so. I can’t be sure but not for the first 10 days for sure.
I get Cardinal transparent thin film from Edgepark with each order and it is fair but OK.
However, has anyone else noticed that the G6 tape is less ‘sticky’ than it should be? What I mean by not lasting is that the Dex has fallen off twice in a row and my application or behavior has not changed.
Nope, I have not had any changes and mine last the full 11 days (10 days of sensor use + 1 day of presoak). I found years ago that the secret for me was to shave the area of my abdomen where G6 is applied, then shampoo the area in the shower to remove oils from the skin, dry the area with a hair dryer and apply the G6. Since that routine, I have never had to use any more over or under patches or a combination of both. They work perfectly for me.
I noticed when it first came out that my Dexcom G6 wouldn’t stick to me past day one lol. I use Skin Tac which works great, especially since I now keep them on for an average of 26 days. I also started putting the Dexcom overpatch with more Skin Tac because I snorkel for hours at a time. If I have to take them off before 20 days I really have to tug to pull them off!
I haven’t noticed a difference but I use a lot of Skin Tac so I’m not sure I would? Plus it depends when they changed it as a I have a backup supply I cycle through. I remember hearing Dexcom was changing it’s adhesive to make it better but they were getting more complaints about people reacting badly to it. It was on some interview somewhere lol…I’m not sure where.
Here is a list of products to use. I had to piece it together as I can’t find my old list I had. So maybe some people have some other suggestions too.
ADHESIVE LIQUIDS
SKIN TAC - Probably by far the most popular product used
Mastisol
MOST POPULAR PATCHES
Dexcom Overpatch
Opsite Flexifix Transparent Adhesive Film
Tegaderm
OTHER PATCHES
Simpatch Adhesive Patch
IV 3000
Lexcam waterproof CGM Overpatches
Fixic Adhesive patches
J & J Tough Pads
Hypafix Tape
Grif grips They have different strengths of patches and some really cute patterns
Rockadex
Pump Peelz
Expression Med Adhesives
ALLERGY SPRAYS/WIPES
Flonase Spray
Cavilon Spray
Bard Protective Barrier Film wipes
Skin Prep Protective Barrier Wipes
Hollister Skin gel protective wipes
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I had a batch of sensors almost two years ago that were noticeably less sticky.
Since then they are at least as sticky as before, maybe more so.
Are you working through your stockpile and using boxes with expiration dates in Oct 2020?
I could not keep G6 sensors on. I use the Skin Tac liquid AND the overpatches and they stay on in both the gym and the pool. Every person’s body chemistry is a bit different, so your mileage may vary. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Is Skin Tac (is that Mastisol?) difficult to remove? I have seen it referred to many times here. It is a hassle to get the overpatch from Dex but have used those a time or two. And they take a while to get. Guess I must try again. Or order Mastisol? from amazon. Thanks to all. And especially for the list. That’s nice.
Ps. No, I’m not using older supplies. And they, like I said, normally last 20 days with some type of overpatch for the 2nd 10 days. Just not recently. I have always used my arms for the Dex.
I also spend time cleaning and drying my G6 sites. This obvious solution seems to get discounted when I’ve mentioned it before. I currently don’t use my G6 sensors beyond the specified 10 days (+1 day pre-soak) and there seems to be plenty of stick left when I remove it. I used to use it for 20 days with success.
In addition to throughly cleaning the site with hot water, soap, and scuffing up with a dry towel, I paint Skin-Tac over the top of the sensor bandage fabric. This technique has worked well for me and I’ve been lucky to avoid any allergy symptoms.
@Tim12, I’m currently using stock with an October 2021 expiration date.
Sense using Dexcom from 2017 to present I’ve only had one sensor come off.and that was totally my fault for not using a Tagaderm patch over it while swimming. You can get them from Amazon. 100 in a box.
Must important is cleaning the area yout going to insert the sensor , making sure all skin oil is removed. Now for v good news and they are FREE. you can get over patches directly from Dexcom. On your phone. “Settings” “Support” “Contact” “Request sensor overpatches”
Skin Tac is a rosin based product, Mastisol is a resin based product so it might be semantics (I’m not sure). I use Skin Tac in the bottle with the swab attached to the top and I’ve been using the same bottle for almost 3 years. It’s not any more difficult to remove IMO than the sensor without any skin Tac. I just use an alcohol swab and rub away any remaining gunk after removing the sensor.
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Thanks again to recent posts. I think I clean well before insertion. I scrub the full area with an IV prep. Even if right after a shower. And let it dry. No obvious hair on upper arm where I place it!
I think I’ll try the over the tape Skin Tac idea and not spread it too far out! I still do not think the Dex tape adhesive is strong enough and I think the tape is too flimsy. It easily can wrinkle so I have to be careful of that.
By the way, after the pandemic started, I could not find boxes of alcohol swabs in drug stores, and even now, I paid extra to get a box online.
Ditto my grocery store no longer stocks the 50 in a box single serves of sugar. I prefer a sugar pack for away from home low BG treatment. Gotta look across town for another grocery where I hope to find them. and, yes, I know about other options. I just prefer this one.
Just a sideliine of the effect on some supplies I use. If you live in a bigger city with multiple sources, this will sound nuts to you.
@Blueburd I put Skin Tac directly on the adhesive of the sensor. I wait for it to get tacky before I apply the sensor. I wait for it to dry about 10 minutes before I pop the transmitter in to make sure it is dry. That way you don’t “disturb” the adhesive.
Then I apply more Skin Tac onto the one side of peeled overpatch, wait for it to be tacky, and apply it over the sensor patch. After it is dry then you peel off the top cover of the overpatch. You do that too early and it will become a mess.
This way I am not just putting Skin Tac onto my skin guessing where I am going to put the sensor. Especially since I keep them on longer. Anywhere that has “exposed” Skin Tac attracts dirt and can look pretty bad after a couple of weeks. I personally do not like to put Skin Tac onto the top of the patches.
I find skin tac actually makes things stick less. It’s hardens the glue on the tape and it comes off easier.
I don’t have any issues with dexcom for 10 days wear unless I was swimming, then I use iv3000 tape, or the ones dexcom gives me
Like many others, I wash the target area well and wash away all soap residue before installing a new sensor. I often restart the sensor after 10 days and when wearing a sensor for longer than 10 days, the Dexcom adhesive begins to fail. So I use FixIC patches for G6 furing those last 10 days. I have never extended beyond 20 days, but the above works reliably for me.
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I have noticed in the last few months that the G6 irritates my skin where it hadn’t before. Leaves it with red, itchy bumps. I have always used Skin–Prep.
Try using Flonase on your skin before you put it on. It works for most people.
I don’t have an allergy to the dexcom but I do have issues with the adhesive on my infusion sets.
new allergies can develop. It seems like type 1 diabetics have more allergies than the average person.
I’m thinking it’s all a part of our overactive immune systems that got us into this trouble in the first place
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Kevin Sayer Interview where he talks about how they have changed the adhesive
6/15/2020 at 17:15
More on adhesive changes 10/4/20 at 22:20
The subject of the adhesive and changes and it will be changed again on the G7
7/5/2021 at 15.36
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I’ve had some problems with my over patches peeling up around the edges. So when there is too much peeling, I put a strip of medical film over the edge.
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@William7 You can also use Skin Tac with a qtip under the edges.
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I go to the gym several times a week, sometimes swim. For me it takes the combo of overpatches glued on with Skin Tac. Also use Skin Tac with Smith&Nephew infusion patches to keep medtronics pump sets from detaching.
Order Dexcom overpatches from Dexcom directly at this link: [Overlay Patch Form](https://Dexcom Overpatches )
Not sure about other skin adhesives. Have only used Skin Tac Liquid and wipes. Liquid is more cost effective.
[https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Tac-Liquid-Adhesive-Barrier-Skin/dp/B008IUA6DU](https://Skin Tac liquid on Amazon )
Good luck.
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