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Heat days, out of doors exercises, frequent dips within the pool are nice. Sadly, scorching summer season days and exercises imply that the CGM sensor tape has begun to peel off. This could shorten the lifespan of the sensor.
Clearly nobody needs that, so we examined numerous manufacturers of Dexcom patches to see if it was comfy to put on and will prolong the lifetime of the sensor.
I’ve examined these patches with Dexcom sensors, and many of the manufacturers I attempted provide patches from Dexcom, Freestyle Libre, Eversense, Medtronic, and pump and blood glucose meter glue.
We have solely examined a handful of accessible patches, so be at liberty so as to add your favourite CGM tapes to the feedback beneath.
Additionally it is necessary to say that many individuals add adhesive (comparable to pores and skin adhesive) to the pores and skin underneath the tape, permitting the sensor to stay longer. I by no means had any nice success with the extra glue and did not put on any of the CGM patches I used on this take a look at.
What’s necessary in CGM patches?
Relating to selecting sensor patches, I deserve:
- How properly do it keep on with the pores and skin?
- Waterproof and breathable to your pores and skin
- Design and shade alternative
- Affordable pricing
On the whole, I have never worn the sensor for greater than 7-10 days (additionally authorized by the Dexcom G5 and G6). The principle motive I’ve solely worn the sensor for 7-10 days is that I’ve pretty delicate pores and skin and carrying it for longer is usually a itchy and painful expertise.
I do know a few of you might have worn the sensors for much longer than I do, however sadly, in case you put on them for greater than 10 days, you do not know how you can run these patches.
grip
This was the primary sensor tape I got here throughout once I began carrying Dexcom and is probably the most sturdy of all of the patches I attempted. It truly sticks to the pores and skin very properly, so it may be tough to get off.
I used an adhesive remover (Uni-Remedy works properly and can be nice for eradicating adhesive residue) to not discomfort patch elimination. Evidently, Grifgrips stays simply for 7-10 days.
A lot of the grips are made out of a cloth that resembles sports activities tape so you do not really feel restricted or stiff, and you will not sweat underneath the patch, permitting your pores and skin to breathe.
With 5 totally different adhesive choices to select from, it is a nice possibility when you’ve got delicate pores and skin or cannot stand pigments or dyes.
If you wish to make your grips colourful, glyph grips are available quite a lot of colours and shapes. I’ve by no means tried their multicolored designs. It’s made out of a unique materials so I can not say in the event that they keep on with it both.
Costs differ relying on the design and the quantity of patches you buy. You may get 10 packs of primary colored oval grips plus $10 plus transport.
Yow will discover all of your designs and selections on Amazon on the Grifgrip web site. The oval sports activities tape I most frequently select is $20 ($1 patch) for 20 grips on Amazon.
Sking lip
The Sking Lip CGM patch is similar to Grifgrips. Additionally it is made of sentimental, fabric-like supplies. But it surely’s a a lot smaller firm, and so they solely provide ovals and spherical patches in quite a lot of totally different colours. Sadly, the definition of sunburn isn’t the identical as my pores and skin shade.
That apart, it’s peel-off paper that distinguishes pores and skin grip from glyph grips.
The paper advances to 4 items, so it’s good to peel all of it off without delay to handle a really sticky grip (it was glued to myself earlier than grabbing it on the pores and skin, so I ruined some grips), you may merely loosen the perimeters, place the grip on prime of the sensor, then take away the paper. Easy however great.
You’ll be able to see the way you put on your pores and skin grip on this video.
The fabric feels barely lighter than Grifgrips, however I’ve discovered it to stick as properly. It additionally does not irritate my pores and skin.
The worth may be very cheap, with the 20-pack patch at $24.99 ($1.25/patch) on Amazon.
It’s expressed
These CGM adhesives are enjoyable and colourful, and you will get a variety of cute designs. They’re primarily oval patches, however you can even get another enjoyable shapes, comparable to minitapes which might be smaller than most patches I’ve seen.
I attempted their owl-shaped heart-shaped patch (not out there anymore).
That is positively for people who find themselves not embarrassed to indicate off their diabetic gear and I actually loved carrying them.
The principle downside of those grips is that they’re printed on supplies that really feel extra like paper than sports activities tape. They felt stiffer than each the glyph grip and the scooping lip, and so they did not final for various days.
My view is that these CGM patches are a approach to glorify the sensor reasonably than ensure it sticks for a very long time.
These are significantly dearer than the patches above, and in case you purchase 5 packs and 4 {dollars} for one patch, you may get a mean patch worth of $3/patch. They are often discovered on Amazon or on expressed web sites.
Pump Piertz
Just like the expressed CGM patch, pump piltz brings enjoyable in relation to design. They’ve a collection of print designs greater than some other model, however are solely a single oval form.
As expressed, the prints are in supplies that really feel extra like paper than cloth, so in addition they are usually a little bit wrinkled, and the glyph grip and pores and skin grip do not final me for a very long time.
Nevertheless, in case you’re on the lookout for a approach to jazz up your CGM, yow will discover it right here. If that is what you want, they may print your personal designs. Once I grew to become a US citizen, I wore their American flag and thought it was very applicable.
The design seems to be barely extra mature than expression. I had a lot enjoyable carrying them that I positively purchased them once more. Nevertheless, it’s primarily worn in winter because it doesn’t deal with warmth (and sweat).
You should buy one patch for $3.49 or a pack of 5 patches for $12 ($2.4/patch). You can even select as many designs as you want on the web site.
Clear adhesive
Clear adhesives like Tegaderm and Flexfix are literally not patches, however reasonably medical adhesives/tapes.
I can not provide help to get the sensation that I’ve workplace tapes on my physique each time I take advantage of them. They’re made out of supplies like plastic, so my pores and skin cannot breathe and sweat normally does not final lengthy because it sweats underneath the adhesive reasonably than passing via it.
My pores and skin turns pink and I can see that it is irritated in a short time. The one benefit of this answer is that it’s comparatively low cost and appears good.
Flexifix was the final model I attempted and I acquired a big roll of tape that may simply be lower into any form you need. In fact, in case you do not just like the bigger CGM patches out there, that is a bonus (I’ve written about how you can lower the tape right here).
If you wish to strive it, yow will discover it on Amazon.
Which Dexcom patch do you suggest?
In case your objective is to maintain your Dexcom sensor longer and you do not thoughts the color, form or design, then we suggest Skinglip. They barely outweigh Grifgrips on the similar worth, and are straightforward to use and keep on with.
It’s extremely enjoyable and cute, however the expressed patches and pump pilts are extra of a approach to glorify the CGM sensor than a approach to actually safe the sensor and prolong its lifespan.
That does not imply I do not put on them (I actually like how enjoyable they really are), however for me they only turn out to be winter wearables.
Replace: Different nice Dexcom patches I’ve tried after writing this text:
Not simply patches – funky colours and funky shapes for $21.99 with 20 patches
Dexcom’s free overlay tape – I did not like this tape, however I am including it as a result of it is free. Request a tape by way of the Dexcom app or contact Dexcom by way of the web site.
