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      Bob Durstenfeld likes your comment at
      In what ways has diabetes positively influenced your life?
      D.R.A.W. It’s a theme I’ve used in public speaking. D is for discipline; a concept some people have to join the army to learn. R is for reward. You must reward yourself for things well done. A is for awareness. Awareness of yourself and others keeps you alive. W is for wonderment. Believing or thinking about things bigger than yourself. ル˖ ♡ ₍ ᐢ..ᐢ ₎ 📍 ࣪ . >
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    Do you use overlay tapes on your diabetes devices to help them stick?

    Home > LC Polls > Do you use overlay tapes on your diabetes devices to help them stick?
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    For insulin pump/CGM users who wear dresses and skirts: How often do devices get in the way of your ability to comfortably wear dresses and skirts?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    40 Comments

    1. Carol Meares

      Always my Dexcom, sometimes my infusion set

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Janice B

      For my Dexcom I use a skin barrier, then skin tac. That seems to help it stay on for the full 10 days. For the pump infusion site it depends on where I place it. on my thighs I need to use opsite flexifit tape and that helps it to stay on.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Bob Durstenfeld

      The only time I use a cover tape is when I wear my infusion site on my thighs, the friction from my pants works it lose, the tegaderm protects it.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. William Bennett

      It’s a requirement for the Med. Guardian 3 sensors, one of the things that finally put me off of that system, because it’s not just a simple process, very badly designed if you’re at all fumble-fingered. With Dexcom I usually don’t have to, but they supply their own overtape that’s easy to apply even in awkward spots. In either case, though: Skin Tac is your friend.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Kristen Schell

      My endo told me that Dexcom recently improved the stickiness of the G6 (September/October time frame). Prior to this change, I had to use an overlay every time to get close to saying on for 10 days. Now with the change, I am usually able to wear it for the whole 10 days without the overlay. I am unfortunately allergic to the new stickiness material so I have to use Flonase on the spot where I will insert the G6 or else it will begin to itch and be irritated within about 5 hours. The Flonase works great!

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Clare Fishman

      Pods stick to me like glue. I have to pry them off after 80 hours. Dexcom sensors stick well for at least 10 days. If I re-start them sometimes the edges pull up so I secure it with the free patches Dexcom gives out.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. connie ker

      I learned the hard way with the Abbott Freestyle Libre 14 day. The sensor was coming off too early or simply falling off my arm when changing clothes or bathing. The transparent patches of clear tape have solved that problem and I’m glad I asked the the companies, Abbott and US Med, about this transparent tape. It is easy to remove and so is the sensor, plus it stays on for 14 days now. YEAH

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. john36m

      I add extra adhesives to my Dexcom, but never to my pump/infusion set

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Amanda Barras

      I have to double tape my CGM but never have the need to tape down infusion set.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Grey Gray

      Ditto cgm but not infusion sets.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Britni Steingard

      I answered sometimes. It’s actually always for the CGM and occasionally for the pod.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Chip Brookes

      Always use over patches on both Dexcom G6 and T-slim. Use Dexcom’s patch, Make my own for the T-slim from AREZA Transparent Adhesive Film Dressing. Very inexpensive for 100.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. jenn velez

      I always use dexcoms overlay tape for my sensors. For Tandem sites I only use IV3000 when using trusteel. I’ve had the needle come out too many times.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Wayne Schwartz

      I always use extra tape on my Dexcom and infusion site. I am a big guy and bumping into things can tear them off. Also live in very tropical Southwest Florida so perspiration is also an issue not to mention swimming and salt water. Extra tape and patches are a must.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Francisco Varea

      Just the tape that comes with the Guardian sensor.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Maureen Helinski

      same as others. Always for G6 sensor-their overtape. Not for infusion sets except trusteel

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Tina Roberts

      Always over my sensor and transmitter.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Donald Stitt

      I use tape over the CGM only. I take my pump off to shower so I don’t tape over the infusion site…

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. cynthia jaworski

      Now that I have a better understanding of where to place it, my libre seldom detaches. The few times it has, it was always because I had scraped my arm against a doorway.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. lis be

      skin tack for my libre

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Kristine Warmecke

      Never on my pump sites. If by overlay tapes you mean tegaderm hypersensitive, yes I place it UNDER my G6 , so it stays on for the full 10 days.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Tom Caesar

      Hardly ever. Tried them for awhile but don’t have the need for frequent use.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Sondra Mangan

      Always for Dexcom. Only for decoration on Omnipods.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Mig Vascos

      Using Dexcom Overlay Patch for the CGM. Dexcom provides it for free. It’s easy to apply and protects the sensor for the entire duration. Surgical paper tape for the back end of the Tandem infusion set. It keeps it firmly in place for longer and makes it deliver the insulin more efficiently.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Christina Trudo

      I answered sometimes but the real answer is “frequently”. I also use a skin prep wipe (tacky sort of stuff) to help avoid skin breakdown.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Adrienne Hitch

      Always for my sensors, very rarely for infusion sets.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Linda Murphy

      Skin Tack does the trick, no more tape.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Molly Jones

      I rarely need any help in needing my devices stick. My “other” answer would be at the most, four times a year.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Glenda Schuessler

      I use overlay patches for my Dexcom CGM but I find they are not needed for my pump infusion sets.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. Megan L

      I have to use Mastisol and that lovely tape that comes with the Medtronic 670g sensors to get it to stick. I’m okay with just skin prep wipes for my pump sites. Those sensors though… my goodness. Holy unlucky skin.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Sarah Grobe

      I have to put duoderm under my sensor to prevent a rash. Nothing but that has worked and i use expression med overpatches to keep everything on.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. Christina Luby

      For my Medtronic CGM sensors I use simpatch on top of the. Overlay tapes

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. Melinda Lipe

      No overlays, just Skin Tac on my G6.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Derek West

      I use overlays on the Medtronic sensor but none on my insulin insertion.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. Donald Cragun

      I use Skin-Tac when applying CGM sensors; not overlays.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. Janis Senungetuk

      I use the Dexcom overlay tape for the G6. So far I haven’t found it necessary to use anything for my Tandem Infusion sets.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. Lynn Green

      I have very sensitive skin and I’m limited on which tape I can use. I use the dexcom overlay for the dexcom sensor. The tape on the dexcom sensor starts to lift after a few days without the overlay. I use tegaderm for the t-slim true steel since no tape is provided. Without tape the tubing would get caught on something and the site would be pulled out.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. Nicholas Argento

      I rarely need to but used to. Now I use Skin-Tac on Dexcom and it rarely peels before the end of the 10 days. I don’t need tape for my pump sites, it sticks well for me unless a lot of sweating, then I just change it and start using Skin Tac as well. Skin Tac has been a game changer for me.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    39. Jodi Greenfield

      I put “other” because I have not tried the overlay products, but a friend of my husband’s uses the FreeStyle Libre CGM and was having the same trouble I was having with the new glue they switched to. Skin Tac adhesive, put on the site before insertion keeps the disc on there for 14 days! Now I have trouble removing it – like I did before they switched glue.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    40. Cheryl Seibert

      Both Medtronic and Tandem infusion site adhesives work well for me. However, the Dexcom G6 tape occasionally comes loose around the edges when I’m heavily exercising/working outside or on Day 9 and 10. I sparingly use the G6 overlay tape as it often causes welts.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply

    Do you use overlay tapes on your diabetes devices to help them stick? Cancel reply

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