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I love my CGM, but it has taken me a while to learn how to wear it all the time without irritation or itching, and without the adhesive tape falling off after a few days.
These CGM tips and tricks are based on my experience with the Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7, and FreeStyle Libre 2, but they should work for any CGM brand and model on the market.
How to find the right CGM placement for you
I’ve found that where I place the sensor has the largest impact on my overall comfort Where I place the CGM sensor has the largest impact on my overall comfort level, so it’s one of my most important CGM tips.
I prefer to place the Dexcom G6 and FreeStyle Libre 2 on my lower back or the back of my upper arms (the triceps), whereas I find the Dexcom G7 to work best for me on the stomach or upper thigh. This is where there’s the least chance of me bumping into something and tearing it off.
In this video, you can see some different places where you can wear the Dexcom G7.
On my lower back, I’ve found that I need to place it just above my belt/pants. If I place it below my belt, there’s a greater chance of me pulling it off whenever I wear jeans, and I find it uncomfortable to have my pants pushing on the sensor.
I also want to keep the sensor away from places where I bend. I attach it horizontally to minimize the chance of it getting in the way when I move around.
Placing the sensor optimally can be challenging and some sites I just can’t reach on my own, so Tobias will sometimes lend a helping hand.
And then there are some sites that just scare me, so I haven’t built up the nerve to try them yet (I’ve seen folks wear them on their calves!!).
How to make the CGM stay on
Making your CGM stay on for the duration of the sensor’s lifetime can be a problem, but there are tricks you can use to help keep your CGM on.
Use Skin Grip overlay tapes
Regular overlay tape, and especially the one Dexcom sends out, can make my skin irritated when the weather is really warm or I’m doing a lot of cardio.
This is my arm after just 3 days of using the Dexcom overlay tape. It’s almost like a burn and I could still see it after 3 months!
I find fabric patches like Skin Grip much more usable. They were originally designed with an active lifestyle in mind, and they really do the job! This is one of my top CGM tips for summer.
They keep the sensor in place for weeks without irritating my skin at all. Since the texture of the patch is more like a big bandage than plastic, it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing a patch and I forget about it pretty quickly.
Skin Grip comes in many different colors and designs, as well as a see-through tape that is barely visible.
If you, like me, are into colorful patches, their products are for you. You can use code DIABETESSTRONG for 10% off on the Skin Grib website.
Other overlay tape options
I prefer the Skin Grip overlay tapes, but there are many other options to choose from:
- Griff Grip has patches in a lot of crazy shapes and colors (how about a patch shaped like a T-Rex?) This makes them ideal for kids and people who like to accessorize their CGM.
- ExpressionMed also makes patches in a lot of different designs (including a Taylor Swift collection). Their patches are printed on material that feels more like paper than sports tape, which I am not a fan of, but they are still a solid option.
- Pump Peelz are similar to ExpressionMed in fabric, but their designs are a bit more “mature” than Griff Grip and ExpressionMed. I have used them and liked them, but they don’t last as long as Skin Grips.
Use Skin-Tac™ Adhesive Wipes to add extra adhesive to the sensor
If you find that your CGM falls off very quickly, Skin-Tac could be the solution for you.
It’s basically body glue that you apply to your skin and allow to dry before attaching the sensor. It makes the skin super sticky and acts as an extra adhesive.
I’ve never liked it too much since I’d get glue all over the place, but I know plenty from the diabetes community who love it.
Some also add Skin-Tac if the sensor starts coming off after a few days. Just add a little adhesive under the edge and reattach it that way.
Again, this method doesn’t work very well for me, maybe because it’s pretty hard to clean the area where the sensor has come loose.
It’s somewhat challenging to get off (from the area where you applied it and your hands), so I recommend using adhesive remover wipes to get the adhesive off.
steve
I totally agree with placing the g7 on the abdomen despite it not being an approved site in the USA. Placement on the triceps was a total failure. First time using, twenty minutes into a 5 mile run it was dangling loose. Second time same problem. Dexcom overlay patches for the g7 are garbage compared to the after market patches available on Amazon. With all that being said, I find that g7 reliability / signal lose and sensor failure 5 -6 days into a session occur 1/3 of the time. I don’t know if placement on the abdomen has anything to do with it. At least Dexcom replaces the failed sensors but still a PITA having multiple signal loss throughout the night and having it fail during a mid day run.
Juarda savoy
I use the Medatronic 780g pump & CGM ! I place my CGM on my upper outer quadrant of my buttocks with a large opsite over it- so it stays on. Like the other gentleman I have to change it once a week and charge it as well- each time I put a new CGM in my body. I wonder why Medatronic hasn’t come out with a new system like the libra 2 ? Or Dexcom?
Christel Oerum, MS
Medtronic just announced that they got FDA approval for their new CGM. AND maybe even more wild is that they also announced that you’ll be able to use a Libre CGM with your Medtronic pump soon
Bob Powell
I have been a type 1 diabetic for 53 1/2 years. I was diagnosed in 1970 while I was in Vietnam. I am now on the Medtronic 780G pump and the CGM sensor has to be changed out each week and the transmitter recharged. I was told by a Medtronic representative who is also a type 1 that you can get a product called Simpatch from Amazon. In talking to a Medtronic adviser on their toll free line, she suggested that I wrap my upper arm with an ice pack for at least 5 minutes to reduce the size of blood vessels in my arm to lessen the chance of hitting one with the insert needle that comes out after insertion. There is less pain if it is real cold and with my wife’s help, she puts them high on the backside of my arms (rotate arms each week). I also use SkinTac to help hold the tape on the sensor, then she uses a Uni-Solv patch to get the extra SkinTac off after the sensor is taped in. The ice also works around the middle where I put the extended wear set each week.
Thank you for putting out an informative site. I read it everytime it comes out.
mike koch
will sensor work in upper chest area next to
shoulder? anyone tried this?
Christel Oerum
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone use it in that area. It’s off-label use but that doesn’t mean that some might have good experience with it
Bs
Yes, works great for me left upper side a few inches from the arm pit
Bob Powell
I haven’t tried it there because there is just not enough meat (muscle) there for me to feel comfortable. If I ever have to put one in if my wife is not here, I may try that but in the left side only since I am right handed.
Lori O’Neal
I am so glad I ran across your site. My sister is 79 and has known she has Type 1 diabetes since she was a teen. Early in her life, she was told to stay away from sugary drinks and that was about the extent of it. Of course, now she is much better informed, but I think her health suffered early on. She now uses the Dexcom. I recently became her caregiver and am learning about diabetes and how she and I can help her manage it better. She has neuropathy and kidney disease as well and I am trying to understand how to best manage her situation. I have to say the information is extensive and somewhat confusing for me. I find you site really insightful and helpful. Thank you for all you do.
Christel Oerum
Yes, diabetes can be very complicated and much of the information isn’t that easy to digest. I’m glad this site has been helpful
Susan Shay
I am using the Freestyle Libre and have started doing water aerobics. I have lost 2 sensors now (the adhesive must be affected by the chemicals in the poor water). Do you have any suggestions for protecting my sensor in the water? If there is a product you recommend, I would also need suggestions for how to remove the sensor after the 14 days. Thank you!
Christel Oerum
I got you. My favorite patch (and they make patches for Libre as well) is Skin Grip. You can see a full review here if you like: https://diabetesstrong.com/dexcom-patch-review/
I need to use a glue remover to take off my sensors without taking the top layer of my skin off as well. Full video on how and which products I use here: https://youtu.be/KZSIKlW6L8E