Hi everyone! I was diagnosed with T1D in 2011 and am currently in grad school. I’m focusing on how to make diabetes management a better experience in one of my classes and am looking for feedback from parents managing diabetes for their kids, specifically about the adhesives used for devices like CGMs and insulin pumps. What has your experience with adhesives and CGM over patches been? Do they work well or cause any discomfort? How is the process of changing sites specifically? Would love to hear any and all thoughts and stories! Thank you in advance!
Hi @T1Dgradstudent . Welcome to the forum and thank you for your research. Are you only interested in feedback from parents, or can adult users share as well?
Thank you for the welcome! I’m happy to hear from adult users as well!
@T1Dgradstudent Welcome Anyssa to Breakthrough T1D Forum! Thanks for your clarification about age; I was a kid with diabetes seven decades ago, long before adhesion of pump and CGM became on of the new diabetes complications.
Adjesion basically is the same for both kids and adults even though the activities engaged which may disturb an infusion cannula or sensir wire may differ. My experience covers several infusion sets distributed by MiniMed/Medtronic as well as the same variety of Tandem, plus three Dexcom sensor models. The one thing in common is the tremendous improvement in adhesion over the years.
Skin preparation is key, cleanliness. And I don’t mean placement following a shower and shampoo - probably the absolute worst time. Read ingredients and claims on the bottle - softening and moisturizers which must be removed. My practice, and included in the Dexcom material, is to wash the area with clear water and dry vigorously with a cloth towel removing a few layers of skin. The only over-patch I’ve used is the one packaged with the Dexcom G7; the G7 with over-patch is the most comfortable and unobtrusive diabetes device I’ve worn and has not yet [10+ months] been knocked off or disturbed. Just this morning, I was able to tell this story to a young fella who overtook me while I was on my walk; his observation of the sensor on my arm opened a diabetes conversation that carried us through the next mile or two.
I’ve been using Omnipod for the past couple of years and have tried their patches as well as Dexcom’s. The comments below are centered around those.
I personally have never cared for the manufacturer adhesives - my personal opinion is that the material looks cheap, it’s flimsy and peels easily, then dirt accumulates on the exposed adhesive - which looks nasty. It’s tolerable for 3 days or so with a pump but not for 10 with a CGM.
I don’t always use a patch - it depends on where I’m wearing my device and perhaps the weather or if I will be engaged in certain activities. Generally I just use an alcohol wipe to remove excess oil, and while I’ve found that works fine for the device itself it has not been enough for the manufacturer over patches - but I am not as thorough as @Dennis which may explain my lack of success.
I discovered Simpatches a few years ago and swear by them: I like the durability of the cloth, and the adhesive works well for me.* Most last the full 10 Dexcom days (and 3 for Omnipod) without pulling up or curling at the edges, although admittedly some occasionally do.
On a side note I use a shield with my Simpatch so in the event it does peel, or if my hand slips while I’m applying it and I need to start over, it doesn’t pull the device out along with it, which might be an issue with manufacturer patches. I have no pain pulling Simpatches off without a shield - I’m afraid I don’t recall whether it not there was pain with the manufacturer patches - it’s been a while.
*And in case it helps to know,
I’m African-American,
Skin type - dry
No skin related allergies
Age - 50+
All the best to you in your research!
PS - in referencing Dexcom, I’ve used Dexcom G4-G6 (will be switching to the G7 soon). As best I recall the device adhesive was the same for me with all of them. I recall a while back reading that some users had issues with change in adhesive from one generation to the next.
The description of Simpatch on Amazon describes it as hypoallergenic but interestingly enough my mother was allergic to hypoallerhenic cosmetics so nothing is guaranteed. I apologize if my foray into Simpatches and adhesives is getting off track for your purposes.
Hi Anyssa,
I’m a 30 year old woman diagnosed with T1D 14 years ago, and I completely relate to how much things have evolved over time. Adhesives for CGMs have been a huge improvement in managing diabetes, especially for active individuals like me.
Whenever I change my sensor, I apply a patch immediately, and it keeps the sensor secure even through workouts and my active lifestyle as a former gymnast. For me, the patch typically lasts up to 12 days, depending on when I decide to change it, and it’s both reliable and comfortable. The brand that I’m using is Not just a patch.
This kind of innovation is incredibly helpful for people managing diabetes, and I think it’s worth exploring. Best of luck with your research, l et me know if there’s anything else I can share that might help.
Hi, @T1Dgradstudent ! From my experience, adhesives can definitely be hit or miss. I’ve been using NJAP, and they’ve worked well for me—comfortable and reliable, even during workouts. Changing sites is generally smooth, but occasionally there’s some skin irritation if I don’t prep properly.
While you’ve asked specifically about patches, which most think of going over a pump/CGM/similar, this relates to similar materials “under” the devices. Some use it to counter skin irritation, some use it to stabilize pump cannulas or CGM wires at the skin surface to prevent them from becoming “loose.” I’ve tried Tegaderm patches (usually used over an IV or to protect a wound) and am currently experimenting with Opsite Flexifix, though similar other products exist. I’ve had positive results with preventing the “bump” that occurs with Omnipods around the cannula, with stopping/reducing “tunneling” or leaking insulin to the skin surface, and seemingly stabilizing my CGM wires (though its minimal with a G7). You just apply a small piece of the product (cut to size needed as I haven’t found appropriate size products) to the skin where insertion is planned and a then apply the device per normal. It doesn’t seem to affect the “stickiness” of pods/CGMs on top of them. The cannula or wire is inserted thru the material and it apparently stabilizes the cannula or wire, doing a pretty good job of inhibiting “tunneling” of insulin to the surface. Hope this is helpful and meets your needs.