The Ultimate Diabetes Tape Guide: 5 things you need to know if you have a Dexcom CGM
Can you relate to any of these comments?
"This tape had great reviews, but it doesn't work on my son. Nothing does."
"This tape worked for me last week, but now I can't get it to stay on for a day, they must have changed the material."
"Any tape that stays RUINS my skin. Or am I just allergic to everything?"
***The above pictures are ExpressionMed (far left) and two tapes from other companies. These come from some of our favorite bloggers: A Trail of Test Strips, Imgrum, and Smells Like Insulin.
Everyone's skin is different. Your skin can change based on the weather, your activity, what you eat, and more. Even if you use the same application procedure every time, you are not guaranteed to have the same results in longevity and ease of removal. The best thing ExpressionMed can do (and did do) is build you the perfect tape as a foundation for long wear and comfort and give you advice to manage any skin situation. Here is what you need to know:
1) Always pull off tape "like a command strip" stretching away from the center (lift out not up). Avoid ripping it off like a band-aid. Tape that is meant to stay on for weeks will be very stuck to your skin. Lifting straight up will lift your skin with it causing skin trauma, whereas stretching the tape will weaken the adhesion and remove the tape painlessly.
2) If your skin is particularly dry, or the weather is cold and dry, we recommend you exfoliate your skin more than usual. This will help eliminate the possibility of dead skin buildup that can stick to the tape and cause it to lift.
3) If you are particularly active, your weather is more humid, or you eat a lot of dairy, your skin may be oily and you should clean the area with rubbing alcohol and let dry before applying tape to prevent the oils from affecting the adhesion.
4) In any case, it is important to avoid touching the adhesive before application. This is where ExpressionMed’s 3-part backing is very useful. Remove only the middle section while holding the outer pieces with your hands as you apply the tape. Once the center is placed, carefully remove the other two pieces of backing. Gently rub down on the tape like you would to secure a stamp on an envelope to ensure quality adhesion.
5) Lastly, we do not recommend skin tac or any supplemental adhesives with ExpressionMed tape. We found that it can actually decrease wear time because the adhesive leaves residue that isn't as good as our backing in terms of longevity. However, if the tips above do not help you, we recommend using skin tac on the edges of your tape. Outline the tape with a "ring" of skin tac instead of filling in the whole oval. This will minimize residue.
We hoped this helped! Comment on this post or email hello@expressionmed.com if you have any other tips and tricks!
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17 Responses
Kim Oltman
Can I get a free sample for Dexcom g6? I see your company coming up
On Facebook often. Thank you, Kim O
Rhonda Isbell
How much are they? I would like to let my husband try them when he is out side!
Mary Nesrsta
I also was wondering if you send out free samples. I have a severe skin allergy to adhesives and turn red, blister and itch with every patch I have tried other than Hypofix dressing tape. I can’t even use Tegederm between my skin and the insulin cannula without using a Smith Nephew Non sting barrier wipe. Have had to use a hydracolloidal dressing under my G6 Dex but need some help to keep it on in this Texas heat. Hypofix works but looks so Medical!
Staci Wachira
I would like to try a free sample
Karen Collins
I would truly appreciate a free sample please for me to test, due to my difficulties to find tape that’s secure for Dextcom 6.
Yolanda Mitchell
I have severe psoriasis and I find it hard keeping the orginal tape from my monitor on it cause itching I will be happy to test this product and give reviews on skin disease and this product towards sensitive needs for the skin. I am your candidate for a free sample. Thank you
Miroslava Aretaga
My 5 yr old daughter has just been prescribe Dexcom G6. I saw a you tube video recommending your product vs Grigg Grips. I was wondering if you guys offer a free sample.
Thank you.
Andrea Kroening
My son is a swimmer and wears the Medtronic 670G sensor. Would this work? He almost lost his sensor in the pool a couple of days ago. I would love a free sample to see if it’s more secure than our tegaderm/tape protocol!!
Lizzie
Hi ! I’d love to try a sample for a g5 sensor for my self ! Thanks
Tracyanne
What are your suggestions for those of us who truly do have an adhesive allergy? Mine is severe, I have to use either Bard or Skin Tac Barriers to even wear my Dexcom G5 as well as the tegaderm for my Port a Cath! I am interested in your product but not if I can’t use a barrier.
Kathleen Kennedy
I would love a free sample.
Martina
Would love to try a free sample. My daughter uses Dex and is very active
Linda Collins
Would love to try them…nothing that I have tried works!
Lynne Gainsy
I would love to sample for myself
JC
I wish they were available for the Medtronic guardian CGM!
Kelly MArtin
I would like to try a free sample please for myself and my 5 year old granddaughter. We have both tried and failed with rock tape, grif grips, and several other tapes.
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Martin
February 04, 2020
How long would an order take to arrive in NL, Canada?