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For those who’re bodily energetic, sweat quite a bit, or your pores and skin simply doesn’t get together with the adhesives of your Steady Glucose Monitor (CGM), you undoubtedly know the frustration of the CGM tape peeling and your sensor being susceptible to falling off.
This has been an enormous downside for me up to now. Not solely do I dwell in Miami (with summer time year-round), however I’m very energetic and the CGM tape of my Dexcom G7 merely can’t sustain with my life-style.
Additionally, the Dexcom G7 overlay tape makes my pores and skin break into hives.
My resolution is so as to add a mushy material patch over my sensor to increase its lifetime, be sure it doesn’t fall off, and forestall pores and skin reactions.
However not all patches are created equal and, on this submit, I’ll present you why Pores and skin Grip is my favourite go-to patch.
This submit is sponsored by Pores and skin Grip, however the opinions are my very own and I used Pores and skin Grip patches earlier than they turned a sponsor.
What I search for in a CGM patch
In relation to CGM patches, a very powerful elements for me are
- Consolation
- Ease of use
- Affordability
- The design
Patch Consolation
I’ve very delicate pores and skin and most patches, together with the Dexcom G7 overlay tape, will make my pores and skin angrily crimson and itchy.
Due to that, I at all times search for patches that may permit my pores and skin to breathe however the place the glue continues to be sturdy sufficient that the patch will keep on for at the very least 10 days, however not so sturdy that it’s going to take my pores and skin off after I peel off the patch.
There are numerous completely different choices accessible, and the patches are typically both:
- a paper or plastic-like materials
- a cloth materials (like Pores and skin Grip)
I’ve discovered that the paperlike materials could be very stiff so it doesn’t persist with the pores and skin as nicely and can begin to peel inside a couple of days.
The plastic, then again, will keep on for a very long time, however my pores and skin clearly doesn’t prefer it and can look crimson and irritated inside the first day.
So I are inclined to gravitate in the direction of material patches that Pores and skin Grip supplies.
Some have prompt that I simply add some Pores and skin Tac Glue (an extra physique adhesive) underneath a number of the different patches to make them stick higher. I assume I might do this, however why not select one that may stick comfortably by itself?
I do generally use an Adhesive remover. Uni-Remedy Adhesive Remover Wipes simply take away the patches and any residue adhesive after the ten days that the Dexcom G7 lasts.
Because the patch sticks so nicely, it’s a good way of simply eradicating the patch (particularly if you happen to apply the patch in a spot with physique hair).
Patch Ease of Use
It clearly shouldn’t require a sophisticated diploma to use a CGM patch, however if in case you have 10 thumbs like I do or like to put the patch in locations which can be arduous to succeed in (just like the again of the arm), it may be slightly difficult.
With some patches, it’s fairly difficult to get the patch off the paper that protects the adhesive. Some patches, just like the Dexcom G7 overlay tape that comes within the field, even require that you simply take away the entire piece of paper earlier than making use of it to the pores and skin.
The difficulty with eradicating the entire paper is that now you have got a floppy and VERY sticky patch, and the chance of simply gluing the patch to itself is excessive (sure, I’ve executed that greater than as soon as).
What I like about Pores and skin Grip is that the paper comes off in 4-5 sections, so you may select to take away one or not one of the paper items earlier than you apply the patch to the pores and skin.
I like to put it over the sensor after which take away one part, push it down on the pores and skin to verify it sticks, after which work my method round to the opposite sections. Works like a appeal and I haven’t needed to discard a single patch but from having it adhere to itself.
This technique additionally implies that I can apply it with one hand, with out assist. So I can put on my sensor on my arm with out having to ask my husband for assist each time I need to change a patch.
You possibly can see how I put the Pores and skin Grip on a Dexcom G6 on this video:
Patch Affordability
Let’s face it, residing with diabetes could be very costly in most nations, so CGM patches usually are not actually one thing I can spend a ton of cash on.
I’ve tried different patches with intricate designs, and they’re enjoyable, however I don’t need to spend $3-4 per patch frequently.
A pack of Pores and skin Grip patches is $24.99-29.99 and contains 20 single-use patches. That’s solely $1.25-$1.50 per patch, which could be very reasonably priced relative to the opposite patches at the moment accessible in the marketplace.
Pores and skin Grip additionally launched some particular version patches (see their Traditional assortment). These are a bit costlier at $24.99 for 10 patches.
You should utilize code DIABETESSTRONG for 10% off on the Pores and skin Grip web site.
Design
The ultimate factor I contemplate on the subject of patches is the design. That features how they’re minimize and what they appear like.
For Dexcom G7, I want an overlay tape with out the cutout for the transmitter, and Pores and skin Grip has that accessible. It doesn’t cut back the sensor sign and it utterly secures the sensor.
I additionally benefit from the vibrant colours; I don’t keep in mind the final time I purchased a “tan” overlay tape. If you wish to attempt completely different colours, they’ve a “rainbow” pack with 10 completely different enjoyable colours.
The place to get your SkinGrip
SkinGrip could be bought on the SkinGrip web site or on Amazon. They supply patches for Dexcom G6 and G7, Medtronic Guardian and Enlite, Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 and three, Insulet OnmiPod and infusion units.
You should utilize code DIABETESSTRONG for 10% off on the Pores and skin Grib web site.
