Do The Dexcom Overpatches Actually Stop Your Sensor From Falling Off??

Neckarski_94

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I’m going to put on a new sensor tonight and try one of the overpatches that Dexcom sent me. Do they actually stop your sensor from falling off? Or is there anything else I can do?
 

Hopeful34

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They irritate my skin, so I can't use them, and buy Skin tac instead, which makes your skin sticky, and I never have any issues with Dexcom falling off. You need to use something like Pelican spray before you take it off again though.
 
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I’m going to put on a new sensor tonight and try one of the overpatches that Dexcom sent me. Do they actually stop your sensor from falling off? Or is there anything else I can do?
In my experience, keeping a sensor on is about preparation, placement and awareness.
For preparation , make sure your skin is clean, dry and with no moisturiser. Some people use alcohol wipes. I usually don’t bother but if I am putting a sensor on towards the end of the day, I wipe my arm with surgical spirit as it less wasteful than infivi wrapped wipes.
Gor placement, chose an area that is flat and does not move when you flex your arm. Sensors do not bend. I know that is obvious but if you place it somewhere where your arm is curved, the sensor will peel off.
For awareness, i just got used to it. Some people put something on their arm to remind them like an arm band over the sensor.

Following these rules, I have not lost a sensor for years and I find my sensors stick like limpets. However, some people just have less sticky skin and need something like an over patch.
 

EllieM

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I didn't need overpatches for the G6 bot the G7 are supplied with them and if you don't put them on they fall off immediately. (In my experience). I had lots of problems with the G7s when I first started using them but seem to have got the hang of them now. Either my insertion and placement technique has improved or the sensors are better quality, or some combination of the two.
 
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searley

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I’m going to put on a new sensor tonight and try one of the overpatches that Dexcom sent me. Do they actually stop your sensor from falling off? Or is there anything else I can do?

They are good, so long as applied to clean skin, not had a single one peel or come off

Infact can be a little hard to remove, if you have trouble keeping the sensors on, I would highly suggest you at least try one