Should you’re energetic, sweat quite a bit, reside in a scorching local weather or your pores and skin simply doesn’t get together with the adhesives of your CGM (Steady Glucose Monitor), you undoubtedly know the frustration of the CGM tape peeling and your sensor being liable to falling off.
This has been an enormous downside for me prior to now. Not solely do I reside in southern California (with summer season year-round), however I’m energetic every day and the CGM tape of my Dexcom G6 merely can’t sustain with my life-style.
My resolution is so as to add a patch over my sensor to increase its lifetime and ensure it doesn’t fall off. However not all patches are created equal and on this publish, I’ll present you why Pores and skin Grip is my favourite go-to patch.
This publish 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 grew to become a sponsor.
What I search for in a CGM patch
On the subject of CGM patches, crucial elements for me are
- Consolation
- Ease of use
- Affordability
- How they appear
Patch Consolation
I’ve very delicate pores and skin and most patches will make my pores and skin angrily pink and itchy. Due to that, I all the time search for patches that can enable my pores and skin to breathe however the place the glue continues to be sturdy sufficient that the patch will keep on for not less than 10 days, however not so sturdy that it’s going to take my pores and skin off once I peel off the patch.
There are numerous totally different choices obtainable, and the patches are usually 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 keep on with the pores and skin as properly and can begin to peel inside a couple of days. The plastic, alternatively, will keep on for a very long time, however my pores and skin clearly doesn’t prefer it and can look pink and irritated inside the first day.
So I are inclined to gravitate in direction of cloth patches that Pores and skin Grip offers.
Some have prompt that I simply add some Pores and skin Tac Glue (a further physique adhesive) below a few of the different patches to make them stick higher. I suppose I might try this, however why not select one that can stick in a snug means by itself?
I do generally use an Adhesive remover (I’ve each adhesive wipes and liquid adhesive removers to take away the patches and any residue adhesive after the ten days that the Dexcom G6 lasts. For the reason that patch sticks so properly, it’s a good way of simply eradicating the patch (particularly in the event you apply the patch in a spot with physique hair).
Patch Ease of Use
It clearly shouldn’t require a complicated diploma to use a CGM patch, however you probably have 10 thumbs like I do or like to position the patch in locations which can be onerous to achieve (the again of my arm is my most well-liked placement), it may be a bit of difficult.
With some patches, it’s fairly difficult to get the patch off the paper that protects the adhesive. Some patches 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 all the paper is that now you could have a floppy and VERY sticky patch, and the probability of simply gluing the patch to itself is excessive (sure, I’ve performed that greater than as soon as).
What I like about Pores and skin Grip is that the paper comes off in 4 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 position it over the sensor after which take away one part, push it down on the pores and skin to ensure it sticks, after which work my means 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 signifies that I can apply it with one hand, with out assist. So I can hold sporting my sensor on my arm with out having to ask my husband for assist each time I wish to change a patch.
You’ll be able to see how I placed on the Pores and skin Grip on this video:
Patch Affordability
Let’s face it, dwelling with diabetes isn’t enjoyable and it’s very costly in most nations, so CGM patches aren’t 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 wish to spend $3-4 per patch. However after all, that’s a desire.
A pack of Pores and skin Grip patches is $24.99 and consists of 20 single-use patches. That’s solely $1.25 per patch, which could be very inexpensive relative to the opposite patches at the moment obtainable in the marketplace.
How they appear
The ultimate factor I think about on the subject of patches is how they appear. I principally put on my CGM on my higher arms so it’s not hidden away below clothes.
The Pores and skin Grip patches are available an oval design you could lower thinner in the event you want that. I usually don’t since I need as a lot patch as attainable holding my sensor in place.
They’re at the moment obtainable in Tan, Pink, Black, and Blue however will quickly be obtainable in additional colours. So keep tuned…
These patches don’t are available any loopy coloration mixtures or designs, it’s extra about performance.
The place to get your SkinGrip
SkinGrip could be bought on the SkinGrip web site or on Amazon. They supply patches for Dexcom G4, G5, G6, Medtronic Guardian and Enlite, Abbott Freestyle Libre, and Insulet OnmiPod.
