Tape
Can someone explain how to put the tegaderm on... and or what tape is best to use for sensors peeling up. Will the added tape remain waterproof? or will it hold moisture? I am only on day 2 of my fourth sensor, and it is coming off. I have only had one sensor work for the full 7 days...I am looking to extend the life span, what the heck am I doing wrong?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by HPNpilot on -
I put the tegaderm on over the whole sensor. I peel off the back, exposing the sticky side, pretty much center it over the transmitter, perhaps offsetting it a little up or down to make sure there is enough adhering to bare skin, and stick it down. Then peel off the surrounding paper. It seems to work for me to hold it on for 2 weeks.
Tegaderm keeps water out, but allows the skin to breath so it doesn't get all yucky underneath.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Whitlock on -
I use opsite flexifix, like tegederm but on a roll. It is waterproof. I use an old sensor that I have removed the white adhesive tape as a template to draw an outline a little bigger than the sensor and then cut a hole for the sensor.
Then I put the sensor on, insert the wire and put the film over that with the sensor sticking through the hole. This lets the fabric tape part dry out and the transmitter dry out.
The tape and flexifix lasts for at least 3 weeks, though for me that is about how long a sensor lasts, I do restart every week of course. -
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Permalink Reply by Ellie on
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Me too Brian. I love the opsite fixiflex (American Diabetes Warehouse....GOOGLE it) The roll was $30 but it is lasting forever. LOL. I cut a small oval out even tho I think I can cover the whole sensor w/o issue. I am lasting 3 weeks too w/weekly restarts. I even put the tape on when I started the last new sensor. Working out great. Totally waterproof and flexible. Love it.
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Permalink Reply by jrtpup on -
I use Opsite Flexifix as well. The stuff lasts forever. It's available on line in rolls. I cut 4 strips and stick them around the edges. It seems expensive but lasts a good year.
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Permalink Reply by MelanieRae on -
I still have ihands from my pump, I found they hold very well. Also using iv prep swabs instead of alcohol when cleaning your skin, cause the iv prep is sticky when it dries
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That is when the sensor starts messing up when the adhesive weakens and the cannula shifts. The opsite keeps it firmly on there. I even taped it down when I ast changed my sensor and did not wait for the adhesive to weaken on the sensor.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Whitlock on
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I should have emphasized that I too put the flexifix on when I insert the sensor, it helps protect the edges of cloth tape that is attached to the sensor.
I hadn't thought that it might help the sensor stay more stable and because of that it lasts longer, but, it makes sense. -
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I think it does anchor it better. I really hate putting in new sensors but am getting much better from the beginning when I once had to walk around w/the whole shebang hanging off me cause I couldn't get the insertor off! Or I would tear off the little tab thing and have to call DEXCOM cause I couldn't get the durn transmitter into the sensor. LOL. Growing pains. Love my Dexie now.
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Permalink Reply by Team Low-Tech on -
Have you tried doing good prep on site before applying the sensor? I had been trying to figure out exactly what you are going through...what tape, how to tape, etc. Then I found some IV Prep packets and used them to really clean the site well before putting it on and found that it stuck much, much better. I am still occasionally using a bit of over the counter paper first aid tape (which isn't as cheap as you would think) in the second week of use sometimes...but sometimes I dont even need that. Worth a try.
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Yes I heard that lotions and other products you might put on your skin...even some soaps... can cause adhesion problems. Luckily mine always stick.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Whitlock on
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If you clean the site with an alcohol swab first it should remove the natural oils and any lotion. This may cause skin irritation. The other option is to wash the area with soap(or apply the pod after a shower).
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