Do you want to protect your Dexcom? In this article we leave you with alternatives to reinforce its support and prevent it from falling.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors have been one of the great advances in the world of diabetes. They collect blood glucose values continuously thanks to the sensor located under the skin. However, as it is an element that is attached to the skin, it can fall off or become detached due to shocks or being in contact with water. If you do contact sports or water sports or simply want to know what alternatives you have to protect your Dexcom and prevent it from coming off, you cannot miss this article.
What can I do to protect my Dexcom?
Continuous glucose monitoring sensors make life and control much easier for people with diabetes, so having them come off can be a very annoying setback. Therefore, we are going to give you different options if you want to reinforce the adherence of your sensor and prevent it from coming off.
Fixatives
Nowadays, the market sells products to fix the sensor and protect your Dexcom that can come in liquid, spray or even wipes and that are applied before placing it, creating a film between the skin and the sensor, which reinforces its adhesion to the skin.
External sprays
External sprays work in a similar way to fixatives. They are solutions that are sprayed on after the sensor of glucose is placed and create a resistant layer around the sensor and the skin surrounding it.
Adhesive tapes
If, on the other hand, what you want is something that covers and protects your Dexcom completely because you are going to be exposed to situations where it could fall off, such as contact sports like soccer or basketball, you have the option of adhesive tapes. Within these you can find the following:
- Hypoallergenic adhesive tape: If you don’t recognize what it is, you might know what I’m talking about if I say adhesive tape. You have it in different colors and it is very inexpensive and easy to get.
- Kinesiology tape: This elastic tape is generally used on muscles that suffer an injury or discomfort to provide support. If you want you can cut a piece and put it over the sensor or, if you prefer, make yourself a small bracelet.
- Adherent bandages: Adherent bandages are a cheaper and more common option that does the same job as kinesiology tape. However, they can peel off more easily.
- Patches: Lately, patches have become very fashionable, and you can find them in all shapes and colors. You can find them plain, with prints, round, with shapes… You can also find some that cover the sensor completely or others that leave it visible. Whatever you want!
Bracelets
If a small piece of tape or a patch is not enough for you and you want your sensor to be tight against your skin and without the risk of it being lifted in any way, then bracelets are for you. These have a higher price than the previous options, but they will protect your Dexcom against the arm without any risk.
Combine the above to protect your Dexcom
Combining several of the options you have read about above will give you absolute resistance to any situation. Maybe you can start by trying a fixative and a patch to protect your Dexcom.
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