Thanks to some
foundational tools—
she’s fond of Skin Tac,
GrifGrips, and good
old-fashioned alcohol
swabs—Ariel Lawrence
of Just a Little Suga’
(justalittlesuga.com)
stays active, carefree,
and connected to
her CGM.Stuck on YouSensor sliding? Infusion
set slipping? Experts share
their tips to keep your tech
in place this summer.BY MICAELA YOUNG, M.S.EXPERIMENT WITH LOCATION
Finding a spot that lets you move freely—
and isn’t in the way—is most important,
says Dexcom user Christel Oerum,
co-founder and head coach at Diabetes
Strong. If your CGM sensor or insulin
pump infusion set won’t stay put, try a spot
where the skin is less oily and moves less.
“The abdomen is usually associated with
the most adhesion problems, followed by
the arms, hips, and thighs,” says insulin
pump user Gary Scheiner, M.S., CDE. He
suggests trying the upper buttock, as it’s
usually hugged by snug clothing that can
help keep the sensor in place.GIVE IT A WASH A clean, dry surface is
important for achieving the best adhesion,
says Scheiner. And it helps if the spot is
hairless too. “If you’re gorilla-hairy like me,
shave the area first,” he adds. Oerum also
likes to prep the spot with an alcohol swab
before she inserts the sensor.MAKE IT STICKY Applying extra
adhesive to your skin before inserting the
sensor or infusion set can help it stay put.
Be sure to put the glue around the point
of insertion—not directly on it—and let
the glue dry first so that the chemicals
don’t interfere with your device, advises
Scheiner. Some popular options? Skin-
Prep and Skin Tac, which are both wipes,
and Mastisol, a liquid adhesive that you
“draw” on. Because the glue can be hard to
remove—from the site and your hands—
Oerum recommends using adhesive-
remover wipes like TacAway.STOP THE PEELING You can patch
the adhesive pads of peeling sensors and
infusion sets with body glue, or apply an
over-bandage before the site starts to peel,
says Scheiner. Traditional, clear-plastic
tape like Tegaderm and IV3000 can be cut
to fit around your CGM or infusion site.
But Oerum prefers fabric patches because
they’re breathable and less likely to come
off with sweat. Water-resistant options
with custom shapes and precut holes
include Skin Grip, GrifGrips, Expression-
Med, and Pump Peelz.Remake