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      What do you think is most important to your diabetes health? (Choose all that apply)
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      What do you think is most important to your diabetes health? (Choose all that apply)
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      atr likes your comment at
      What do you think is most important to your diabetes health? (Choose all that apply)
      Easiest way to stay in range is with physical activity. This is always true even before insulin was available. Tests and doctor appointments can cause mental stress. Physical activity does the opposite.
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      atr likes your comment at
      What do you think is most important to your diabetes health? (Choose all that apply)
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    If you use a CGM, how often do you use adhesive wipes to help your sensors stick?

    Home > LC Polls > If you use a CGM, how often do you use adhesive wipes to help your sensors stick?
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    If you use the time-in-range metric, how often would you estimate you typically look at your time-in-range reports?

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    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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    42 Comments

    1. AnitaS

      Technically I don’t use wipes, but I use the liquid form of Skin-Tac. I actually use it for two reasons 1) It helps my CGM stay on for the 10-day wear, and 2) It acts as a barrier between the CGM adhesive tape and my skin as the CGM adhesive tape can make me itch.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. George Lovelace

        I checked “Rarely” but like you I never use “Wipes”, much cheaper buying the Bottle with the Swab, been doing this since 2009

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Mick Martin

      I don’t use adhesive wipes any longer. I did for about the first 15 years but they dry my skin out too much. i.e. my skin becomes ‘scaly’.

      I now use a barrier spray called Cavilon. (It’s made by 3M, which a fellow diabetic on here informs me is an American company.)

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. KCR

      I don’t use adhesive wipes but sometimes I will use an overpatch to make sure it sticks (e.g., during yardwork or playing with my grandkids).

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Janice Bohn

      I use a skin barrier wipe and then skin tack wipe

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. cynthia jaworski

      As long as I don’t bump into door frames, everything stays in place.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Marie Foster

      I use skin tac on my daughter. But I do have to clean and scrub to get it off and then lotion the heck out of it when the sensor is removed.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Annie Wall

        Believe it or not, I use Neutrogena oil-free eye makeup remover to easily get rid of the residue when I remove my sensor.

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Gary Taylor

      When I started wearing a sensor in 2008, I was told that the adhesive in the wipes affects the sensor. I use an overlay patch, Smith & Nephew’s IV 3000, to hold everything in place.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. TomH

      I do use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol to remove the “ring” on removal and preparation, but no particular product to assist the adhesive otherwise.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Carolann Hunt

      They changed the adhesive a few years ago and they stick better now.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Nicholas Argento

      I always do, G6 with Skin Tac. I rarely have them not stick that way.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Jane Cerullo

      I always use SkinTac. Ran out and Dexcom stayed on just fine. Will continue to use as makes me feel confident won’t come off.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Lawrence S.

      Since your question is directed toward CGM’s only, I answered “Never.” I clean the area with alcohol wipes, and use the Overpatch, supplied by Dexcom.

      However, I do use adhesive wipes for my insulin pump cannula insertion.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Lee Johnson

      Do you mean an “overpatch”?

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        No, there are wipes (like an alcohol pad) that have adhesive them to apply to your skin so that the sensors will stick better.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. kristina blake

      I answered never. But…I use alcohol to prepare my site – make sure the skin is really dry. I “paint” SkinTac on the adhesive patch prior to inserting. I only use SkinTac wipes when traveling (heaven forbid the bottle should break while traveling). I like the bottle form of SkinTac, it has an applicator wand in the cap and I don’t get sticky fingers (all day). I use the overpatches from Dexcom. They are better than others I’ve tried.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Annie Wall

      Like others, I don’t use an adhesive wipe, but paint the sensor patch with Skintac because it adheres so well.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Marty

      I used Skin-Tac wipes for years, after cleaning the area with alcohol and marking a spot to keep clean for the sensor insertion with an eyeliner pencil. These days I skip the Skin-Tac and eyeliner and use an overpatch. The overpatch seems like less hassle and works well to keep my sensor on in the water.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. William Bennett

      I use SkinTac in liquid form not wipes, but yes, every time. Hate it when sensors come off before their time.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Janis Senungetuk

      Never needed to use anything other than an overpatch to keep the sensor/transmitter on for 10 days. The only times I’ve had problems it was because I accidentally ripped it off removing clothing or with a towel after a shower.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Derek West

      I never used to with Medtronic but when I moved to Dexcom it was recommended, so I do. Not sure if it helps but I have requested over-patches.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Bob Durstenfeld

      I use adhesive wipes for my pump site, but I have had issues when I used them for CGM AND switched back to go old isopropyl alcohol.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Ginger Vieira

      Nope, but I do use a patch over my Libre. Without a patch, I will accidentally rip my Libre sensor off within hours by walking against a doorway too fast, putting on a sweatshirt, or dragging a bag down my arm…it just happens! Clearly, I’m not very graceful!

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Hieromonk Alexis

      The Dexcom G5 sensor sticks very firmly, so I never have to use anything for that. However, I do use adhesive tape for for the Medtronic SureT infusion set.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Joan Plog

      I use a barrier wipe to protect my skin..not really to help it stick.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Steven Gill

      I don’t use a wipe as described, I utilize “skin tak” and apply it before setting the tape. I have the curse of sweating at work, this helps keeping the devices on (pump infusion set too), and if I notice any loosening later can reapply as needed.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Catherine Thompson

      I always use them, not only to help the sensors stick, but to help protect my skin from the adhesive from the sensor.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Linda Pease

      I use an overlay patch it works for me

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Vivian Moon

      I use IV Prep wipes as I am very sensitive to the adhesives some tapes have. I also use an overlay for both pump infusion sites and CGM sensors.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Missy Kirchem

      I use Skintac liquid

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Joan Benedetto

      We use IVPrep wipes for our son.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Joan Benedetto

        With IV3000 over

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. mojoseje

      Never, but I should because they always come unstuck in the last day or two.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Bea Anderson

      I understood adhesive wipes affected the sensor. So I rely on over tape.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. KSannie

      I only need it for my Dexcom sensors, not my infusion sets. And I just leave an empty spot where the sensor is going to be inserted. I must add an overpatch as well, or they fall off. The overpatch alone does not hold well enough. It peels off from the edges.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. Kristine Warmecke

      Never, adhesive allergy. Felt like it took forever for my endocrinologist & I to figure out I wasn’t only allergic to MedTronic’s adhesive but also the actual sensor that is inserted into you.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Ms Cris

      Always, plus the Dexcom overpatch…and still has a difficult time making it 10 days. I swear the overpatch makes things worse.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. PamK

      I use SkinTac wipes and then clean a small spot with an alcohol wipe to insert the sensor in. Works great, no over-patches needed!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. sweet charlie

      I never use wipes or patchs… But I clean [ scrub ] the area with large alcahol wipes… I often get bleeding into the transmittter contacts area .. Do you think the scrubing is causing the bleeding?? My sensor really stays on and I feel like the skin is going to tear when I remove it.. I have been using G6 for less than 2 years, and nothing else that is taped on.. I only use my tummy area..

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. Kristen Clifford

      I’m pretty sure this question has been asked before. T1DExchange might want to do some research for new questions!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. Jeff Balbirnie

      When I used one I ALWAYSused adhesive prep… always

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    If you use a CGM, how often do you use adhesive wipes to help your sensors stick? Cancel reply

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