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If you are physically active, sweaty, or your skin is not accompanied by the adhesive on a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) you definitely know the frustration of peeling CGM tapes and the risk of the sensor falling off.
This has been a major problem for me in the past. Not only do I live in Miami (all the summer all year round), but I’m very active and the CGM tapes on the Dexcom G7 can’t keep up with my lifestyle.
Additionally, Dexcom G7 overlay tape will make your skin urticarious.
My solution is to add a soft fabric patch on top of the sensor to extend its lifespan, prevent it from falling off, and prevent skin reactions.
However, not all patches are created equally. In this post, we will show you why Sking lip This is my favorite and reliable patch.
This post is sponsored by Skinglip, but the opinions are my own and I used Skinglip patches before they became sponsors.
What I’m looking for in CGM patches
When it comes to CGM patches, the most important factor for me is
- comfortable
- Ease of use
- Affordable prices
- design
Patch comfort
I have very sensitive skin and most patches containing Dexcom G7 overlay tape make my skin anger red and itchy.
So I always look for patches that allow my skin to breathe, but the adhesive is still strong enough that the patch may stay for at least 10 days, but not strong enough to remove the skin when I remove the patch.
There are various options available, and patches are generally one of the following:
- Materials like paper or plastic
- Fabric material (sking lips, etc.)
Paper-like materials are very hard so they don’t even adhere to the skin and start to peel off within a few days.
On the other hand, the plastic lasts for a long time, but my skin clearly doesn’t like it and is red and irritated within the first day.
So I tend to be drawn to the fabric patches that Skinglip offers.
Some have suggested adding skin TAC adhesives (additional body adhesives) under other patches to add some skin TAC adhesives (additional body adhesives) to make them better. I think I can do that, but why not choose something that is comfortable to stick to in itself?
I sometimes use glue remover. After 10 days of the Dexcom G7 lasts, Uni-Solve Glue Remover Wipes easily remove patches and any residual adhesive.
Patches stick very well, making it a great way to easily remove patches (especially when applying patches to areas where your body hair is).
Ease of use of patches
You shouldn’t need an advanced degree to apply a CGM patch, but if you want to place the patch in places like me with 10 thumbs or hard to reach (like the back of your arms), you need to be a little careful.
With some patches, it is very difficult to remove patches from paper that protects the adhesive. Some patches, like the Dexcom G7 overlay tape in the box, require the entire paper to be removed before applying it to the skin.
The problem with removing all the papers is that there is a very sticky patch on the floppy and it is likely that the patch will glue to itself (yes, I’ve done it multiple times).
What I like Sking lip Since the paper is off in 4-5 sections, you can choose to remove one or no pieces of paper before applying the patch to the skin.
Place it on the sensor, then remove one section, press it down on the skin to stick, then work towards the other section. It worked like a charm and didn’t have to discard a single patch yet from getting a single patch to glue itself.
This method also means that you can apply it with one hand without help. So, every time I want to replace the patch, I can wear a sensor on my arm without asking my husband for help.
In this video you can see how to grip your skin on your Dexcom G6.
Affordable Patch Prices
Let’s face it, living with diabetes is very expensive in most countries, so the CGM patch is not something I can spend a lot of money on.
I have tried other patches with intricate designs, and although they are fun, I don’t want to spend $3-4 per patch on a regular basis.
The pack of Sking Lip Patches costs $24.99-29.99 and includes 20 single-use patches. This is $1.25-1.50 per patch. This is very affordable compared to other patches available in the market today.
Skin Grip has also launched several special edition patches (see Classic Collection). These are a little more expensive at $24.99 for 10 patches.
You can get 10% off on the Skin Grip website using Code Diabetesstrong.
design
The last thing to consider when it comes to patches is the design. That includes how they are cut and how they look.
For the Dexcom G7, it prefers overlay tape without a cut-out on the transmitter, and is available for skipping lips. It does not reduce the sensor signal, but completely secures the sensor.
I also enjoy the vibrant colors. I don’t remember buying the “tan” overlay tape at the end. If you’d like to try out a different colour, there are 10 fun coloured “Rainbow” packs.
Where to get your skingrip
Skinrip can be purchased at SkingRip website Or on Amazon. They provide patches for the Dexcom G6 and G7, Medtronic Guardian and Enlite, Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 and 3, Insulet Onmipod and Infusion sets.
You can get 10% off on the Skin Grib website using Code Diabetesstrong.
