Best Practices for Keeping the Sensor on for 10 days

The overpatch and sport patches offer critical support in keeping your sensor on for the full 10 days. Here are some tips that may help you keep your sensor on for the entire sensor session. If you are struggling with irritation from the adhesive check out this article. 

General consideration

1. Clean skin with oil-free, antimicrobial soap and dry thoroughly
2. Gentle exfoliation is recommended for oily skin
3. Trim hair with a dry razor if needed
4. Do not use any lotion or oil-containing moisturizer where you insert the sensor.
5. Do not insert the sensor immediately after a shower/bath or in a steamy bathroom. Minimize humidity with a hairdryer or application in a dry environment.
6. Solid or spray antiperspirant (unscented) may help with skin prone to sweating. Create an empty oval on the skin with the antiperspirant, and wait 10–15 min. Then, insert the sensor on clean skin in the center of the oval.
7. Run your finger around the white adhesive 3 times once the sensor is placed to be sure there are no air bubbles and the adhesive is fully stuck to your skin

If you continue to have issues with the patch staying on for the full 10 days, you can try out some of these patch alternatives that are recommended by Dexcom. 

Product	Advantages	Professional tips
IV3000 (Smith&Nephew)	- Thin transparent film - May cause fewer reactions than Tegaderm	- May also be used as a barrier when placed under sensor tape - Not breathable, may peel with sweating or if water gets under
Tegaderm HP (HP stands for ‘‘Holding Power’’)	- Thin transparent film - May adhere more strongly than standard Tegaderm	- Not breathable, may peel with sweating or if water gets under
Hypafix®	- Thicker, fabric-like adhesive than transparent films - Can be cut to size - Excellent adhesion even when wet	- Excellent staying power and thickness - May cause less trauma to skin upon removal2
Opsite™/Opsite Flexifit™ (Smith&Nephew)	- Breathable, transparent film with moderate permeability	- Can come as precut patches or in a roll
Blenderm™ (3M)	- Clear plastic hypoallergenic tape	- Comes in a tape roll, best used as a supplement to counteract peeling patch
Transpore™ Surgical Tape	- Clear, porous, plastic hypoallergenic tape	- Comes in a tape roll, best used as a supplement to counteract peeling patch
Kinesiology tape: RockTape® KT Tape	- Comes in a roll for custom cutting - Gentle on skin with mild stretch	- Similar material to RockaDex and GrifGrips
Cloth-like patches: GrifGrips® RockaDex Simpatch™	- Precut for CGM - Flexible and breathable - Excellent adhesion even when wet - Bright colors and shapes	- Similar materials to kinesiology tapes and may be stretched or cut to fit a variety of devices and body shapes
Nonadhesive wraps: Coban Ace Bands4Life	- If you are unable to tolerate additional adhesive, wraps may help keep your sensor in place	- Wrap loosely, do not compress skin with elastic wraps - Remove during nighttime to avoid tissue compression - Consider for short-term use—during sports, activity, etc.