I am finding the pump overlays a bit too much - it hurts to pull off, especially with hair - and I’m wondering if the sensor one makes sense, or if anyone has as any nuances about usage.
I use the sensor overlay that comes with Dexcom in the summer but I don’t really need it for 10 day. I never overlay an infusion set because I swap them at day 3/4. I recently sweat off an infusion set but it was at day 2+ and it was crazy hot and I was working outside. So, infusion sets no, sensors mostly yes. When I go to 15 day sensors ’ll wear the overlay at least at first.
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I’ve never needed or used, for 20+ years, any kind of over patch for infusion sets. I do use the over patch packaged with the G7 sensor and probably don’t need it but use it ‘just because’ that’s a question asked when requesting a replacement sensor. I find that getting the sensor off takes me longer than it does to insert and placing the over patch. The only sensor [G5, G6, G7] that came off prematurely was a G6 that got scraped off during a construction event.
Site preparation, I believe, is the key to good adhesion; just before applying an infusion set or sensor I clean the area significantly - and I don’t mean showering - which often involves shampoos, conditioners, gells. I wet the area with cool water and then heavily rub with a course towel to get off a few dead and dying layers of skin.
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I’m using the Omnipod Dash, I don’t know if the adhesive is the same as the 5, so far I haven’t needed to use the overpatch. Summer’s been lovely so far without the humidity you get and mostly staying below 100. That’ll change any second now, I’ll let you know if I learn something new when that happens. I’ve chosen to shave spots instead of ripping my hair out. The alternative is working the patches off with an adhesive remover like Uni Solve, Goo Gone or TacAway.
With the old faithful G6 I found the overpatch wouldn’t stay stuck to the sensor patch if the sensor patch got so wet it’d come loose so in the summer I’d wear the G6 on my arm and wrap it with 3M Corban when it was going to get wet. As long as the patch was against the skin when everything dried it’d be fine. I expect the G7 will work the same and maybe the omnipod too.
Have you had a pod come unstuck?
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I don’t use a pump, but I do have a Freestyle Libre sensor. I have had a difficult time with my sensor starting to peel off after I swim laps at the pool. I did try an overlay at first. It did keep my sensor on. However, by the end of the 14 days, the patch was fraying at the edges and did not look good (especially when swimming). This time I used Skin Tac and my sensor is still firmly on - even after 7.5 laps and teaching my 7 year old how to dive in the 9 ft deep end.
The overlay patch was easy to remove. The instructions said if it was difficult, to use rubbing alcohol. Oil may also work. It just depends on what the company uses as the adhesive.
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I use a Simpatch with my Dexcom (and did with Omnipod as well. I’ve rarely had devices fall off on their own but I have bumped into walls and dislodged one so I like having them for a little extra security - even if it’s overkill.
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Thanks for all the responses and input. It’s certainly illuminating.
My take, at least for now, is no overlays unless the device shows signs of loosening, or I expect to be in water heavily. Separately, I took the AI summary and then had Gemini re-summarize it:
Gemini:
Key Takeaways
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Device & Lifestyle Variance: The need for extra adhesive overlays depends largely on individual activity levels, device type, and wear duration (e.g., shorter pump wear vs. longer sensor wear).
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Sensor vs. Pump Overlays: Sensor overlays (Dexcom G7, Libre) are commonly used for extra security against bumps or during water activities, whereas pump/infusion set overlays are rarely seen as necessary due to frequent site changes every 3–4 days.
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Skin Prep & Hair Management: Proper preparation is critical for adhesion. Methods like cleaning skin with cool water, removing dead skin, and shaving the site are often more effective than relying solely on overlays.
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Alternatives & Removal Tips: Products like Skin Tac serve as strong adhesive alternatives, while 3M Coban wrap offers extra protection for swimming. For painful overlay removal (especially over hair), users recommend adhesive removers (like Uni-Solve), alcohol, or baby oil.
Bottom Line: Overlays offer peace of mind against accidental bumps and water exposure, but strong adhesion can often be achieved through proper skin prep, alternative liquid adhesives, and hair management.