Sarah Howard
Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community 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 Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.
I used Silhouettes (angled set) for 15+ years and never had any residue after removing the set. This year I switched to Mio Advanced and found that I was pulling them off accidentally so many times, so I got Skin Tac. Now that I use Skin Tac I have to use adhesive remover to get them off. I use Tac-Away wipes first because they seem to dissolve the adhesive best, and then I use Unisolve liquid because the Tac-Away dissolves the adhesive and spreads it over a larger area!
Removing my sets is a pain but I haven’t accidentally pulled one out since I started using Skin tac.
I do not notice residue with Tandem and Dexcom. I don’t remember if that was the same with Medtronic.
I use the Medtronic 770 and Sensor 3. The adhesive holding the cannula in does not leave residue. I use Smith & Nephew IV3000 to secure the sensor and it never leaves residue.
I use my fingertips and “roll” the adhesive off. If I rub/ scrub it off I get a rash, so I sort of pull down on my skin and the adhesive rolls into little balls. If that makes any sense
I usually wash off residue in the shower. Occasionally, I use adhesive remover.
Usually comes off in shower of o scrub a little. If not might use alcohol swab bit usually not a problem
I rarely see any residue left behind on my Tandem infusion set or the G6 sensor. But if I do, I use a alcohol pad.
I must be 1 of the lucky. My G6 and 770g do not leave any sticky residue. I do wipe with alcohol though for extra infection fighting
Sometimes the overpatches leave the most residue. I have tried mineral oil, alcohol wipes, and plain soap and water but the adhesive remover wipes cause the least irritation.
Normally alcohol wipes are sufficient but I have occasionally used liquid adhesive remover to thoroughly clean the area.
D-Limonene – 100% FOOD GRADE Citrus Solvent Orange Oil. This cuts through the adhesive. I use a dropper to wet the CGM before I remove it and it comes off easier because it dissolves the adhesive.
For my CGM, I use the Dexcom free patches and cut strips of Smith And Nephew Flexifix Opsite Transparent Adhesive Film Roll 4″X10.9 Yards for the sides. If needed, I will trim and replace the Flexifit during the 10 days. No skin prep. No residue.
I rub it with a wet washcloth and dry towel along with my fingernails
It hasn’t been an issue for me.
I don’t work too hard at it. I try to remove some of it by hand, and then I’ll scrub it a little more whenever I take my next shower. Otherwise I ignore it and it eventually wears off on its own.
With a salt scrub which has essential oils and a carrier oil. Gently rub.
Soap and water & “baby oil” but the “baby oil” is actually Avon’s Skin So Soft in my case.
Answered never which is almost always true. I have seen residue but so very rarely.
It hasn’t been much of a problem with the Tandem infusion sets and Dexcom G6. The overpatch supplied by Dexcom doesn’t leave adhesive residue on my skin unlike others that have. Alcohol swabs and a daily shower are my solution.
Libre 2 comes with two alcohol wipes. I use Skin Tac to make see the sensor stays on, so I use the second wipe to clean any excess and the first to clean and disinfect the new site for the sensor.
We use liquid Uni-Solve adhesive remover squirted all around the device. In just a minute it easily pulls off. We then generously rub coconut oil over the site to remove residue, massage the skin, and moisturize/care for it.
Lately I’ve been using makeup removing oil with a cotton swab – less harsh, and working well! Wish I’d thought of it sooner…
A teaspoon of alcohol on a folded Kleenex.
Orange solvent is very effective, is natural, and does not harm skin.
Comes off next time I shower
I use a Body & Face Cloth by Norwex to remove the adhesive. The less stuff I have to put on my skin the better, due to being allergic to adhesives.
Most often, I wash it off in the shower. If I’m changing it during the day and not planning on showering soon, then I use an alcohol swab.
I use a pumice stone with soap in the shower to remove any adhesive.
Where do you get adhesive remover?
Non prescription from Amazon, available in boxes of 50 wipes, inexpensive – Tac Away or Unisolve both effective for me
I rarely have any residue, but I just use an alcohol swab and get the rest when I shower.
For pump sites I don’t need to. For CGM I use Skin Tac to reduce the chance of it pulling out prior to 10 days, and therefore do need to remove adhesive grunge. I use Tac-Away for CGM. Alcohol works too but not as well, have to scrub more and that can be tough on skin.
Starting on a Baxtor Travenol Pump system for 6 years and after on a Metronic pump for 31 years and now on a Tandem X2 pump for 2 years. Never had any leftover adhesives residue.
Adhesive Remover wipes are surgical soap.
I usually wipe with alcohol since I need to have alcohol to insert a new pump cannula or CGM anyway so my bottle of alcohol is already opened. I have used baby oil though and if I forget to take off the residue, I just use soap and water with the help of my nails in the shower if needed.
Eye makeup remover/ Micellar water has also worked in a pinch.