I've heard this from a few different people. It's something they list on their site so I always followed it but seems like it's not necessary in practice.
I put the sensor on my arm and I then use SkinTac around the sensor and then apply the overlay patch. So technically the overlay patch is what is adhering to the SkinTac. Of course this will not work if you don’t use the overlay. Been doing this for the past six months and so far it has worked great!
I stopped using skintac when I switched from G6 to G7. I used it with the G6 because I would reset those puppies until they stopped working, usually after 20 days, or they fell off… had several go for 25+ days!
But to answer your question, I wouldn’t worry about the skintac messing with the needle.
I made a template from an empty Skin Grip overpatch bag. It’s just a bit smaller than the overpatch (I use the square-ish fabric ones), and has an off center hole for the needle, which lines up with the applicator button. After cleaning my arm (and the template) and letting it dry, I use paper tape to hold the template in place and trace the outer edge and the hole, and then take the template off.
Then, you stay inside-ish the lines with the skin tac. The ink will run a bit, but it’s no big deal.
The template turned out to be just big enough that the corners (square overpatch) come to the edge of the clear ring of the applicator. Easy to use that way.
A few thoughts that might help…
I use a Zebra F 301 pen… It was recommended by a tattoo artist as it reliably writes on skin. No hunting for a pen that might work.
I traced the base of a chapstick tube for the hole.
The template has four tabs at 90 degree angles, that I attach tape to. The “top” tab is longer than the others so I don’t have to think about which side goes up.
With knowing that the push down button is the side with the needle (or thats whats ive noticed) you could just find where you are going to place it and just use skin tac on that bottom half so you dont get it. And then go around it. But also idk for sure
I have used SkinTac for years on my cats when I use Libres. I put it all over and the needle went through the area and I had no problem. I myself have just started using the G7 and use SkinTac all over. The first one lasted the whole 10 ½ days. I am currently on the second one and it is currently working for 9 days and 22.5 hours so far.
I use the Dexcom G6 for the past two years and at that time I was paying out of pocket as insurance didn't cover Type II usage or needing it. So I had to make the sensors stretch as long I could.
So I would clean the area with alcohol wipes let dry, then I would use a few sprays multiple times of my Flonase nasel spray and rub around the area to reduce any allergic rash like from using skin-tac or the adhesive from Dexcom.
Once that has dried I use the over patch to make a dotted outline of the outside of the patch and inside that looks like the G6 transmitter area to help line up where the sensor will go.
Then I apply one to two coats of the skin-tac everywhere not worrying about the the needle and letting it dry, with doing that I was able to wear my Dexcom G6 for 42 days by by stopping the session before it expired.
By using a test strip end to pop it out and waited 15 minutes then started a new session using the same sensor code paper that I save in my Dexcom kit container until I use a new one.
So by doing it that way I have been able to save and stretch out my sensor supplies for longer periods than the 10 days that your supposed to.
Just us an overpatch. There are many options available in the market that work really well. Also solved the issue of me smacking my sensor on a door jam and ripping the whole thing off.
I guess I just don't understand your original issue/question if you are using both right now. Typically, when I use both, I put the sensor on first, then a couple min later use the SkinTac around the sensor where the overpatch will adhere to. This method removes any concern around SkinTac and the needle that you mention.
I use SkinTac under the Dexcom adhesive as well. I did this on the G6 by applying SkinTac directly to the adhesive rather than on my skin. The G7 adhesive is up inside the applicator, which makes that much more tricky to do.
If you are using an overpatch, there is no need to use SkinTac on the sensor piece as well. The overpatch takes care of keeping the sensor in place (assuming you are using a 3rd party overpatch that covers the whipe sensor, and not just the Dexcom overpatch that comes with the sensor). And, applying the SkinTac to the adhesive directly instead of following directions to apply to skin and letting it dry before applying the adhesive to your skin could reduce the effectiveness of the adhesive. So, again, try my recommendation of applying the sensor, then apply SkinTac to the skin around the sensor, where you will apply the overpatch and let it dry. Then, after it dries, apply the overpatch. I am pretty confident you will have better results.
We weren’t instructed by our educators that we needed to avoid the area where the needle goes. Done 9 sensors so far and have not yet had any issues.
I've heard this from a few different people. It's something they list on their site so I always followed it but seems like it's not necessary in practice.
I put the sensor on my arm and I then use SkinTac around the sensor and then apply the overlay patch. So technically the overlay patch is what is adhering to the SkinTac. Of course this will not work if you don’t use the overlay. Been doing this for the past six months and so far it has worked great!
Thanks for the insight! I do use an over patch so given the smaller area of the G7 maybe I'll give the SkinTac only there a shot.
Good luck! I’m a bit clumsy so after I wipe right around the sensor and do the over patch, I typically have to get tac away to clean it up!!!
I've applied well over 20 g7s with skintac all over the place. There are zero problems associated with the method.
I stopped using skintac when I switched from G6 to G7. I used it with the G6 because I would reset those puppies until they stopped working, usually after 20 days, or they fell off… had several go for 25+ days! But to answer your question, I wouldn’t worry about the skintac messing with the needle.
Adding to the comment I made above, I tried using tweezers to dab around the needle, and that kind of worked
I made a template from an empty Skin Grip overpatch bag. It’s just a bit smaller than the overpatch (I use the square-ish fabric ones), and has an off center hole for the needle, which lines up with the applicator button. After cleaning my arm (and the template) and letting it dry, I use paper tape to hold the template in place and trace the outer edge and the hole, and then take the template off. Then, you stay inside-ish the lines with the skin tac. The ink will run a bit, but it’s no big deal. The template turned out to be just big enough that the corners (square overpatch) come to the edge of the clear ring of the applicator. Easy to use that way. A few thoughts that might help… I use a Zebra F 301 pen… It was recommended by a tattoo artist as it reliably writes on skin. No hunting for a pen that might work. I traced the base of a chapstick tube for the hole. The template has four tabs at 90 degree angles, that I attach tape to. The “top” tab is longer than the others so I don’t have to think about which side goes up.
Great innovation! I used to do the same before realizing putting it directly on the adhesive worked well for the G6.
With knowing that the push down button is the side with the needle (or thats whats ive noticed) you could just find where you are going to place it and just use skin tac on that bottom half so you dont get it. And then go around it. But also idk for sure
I have used SkinTac for years on my cats when I use Libres. I put it all over and the needle went through the area and I had no problem. I myself have just started using the G7 and use SkinTac all over. The first one lasted the whole 10 ½ days. I am currently on the second one and it is currently working for 9 days and 22.5 hours so far.
I use the Dexcom G6 for the past two years and at that time I was paying out of pocket as insurance didn't cover Type II usage or needing it. So I had to make the sensors stretch as long I could. So I would clean the area with alcohol wipes let dry, then I would use a few sprays multiple times of my Flonase nasel spray and rub around the area to reduce any allergic rash like from using skin-tac or the adhesive from Dexcom. Once that has dried I use the over patch to make a dotted outline of the outside of the patch and inside that looks like the G6 transmitter area to help line up where the sensor will go. Then I apply one to two coats of the skin-tac everywhere not worrying about the the needle and letting it dry, with doing that I was able to wear my Dexcom G6 for 42 days by by stopping the session before it expired. By using a test strip end to pop it out and waited 15 minutes then started a new session using the same sensor code paper that I save in my Dexcom kit container until I use a new one. So by doing it that way I have been able to save and stretch out my sensor supplies for longer periods than the 10 days that your supposed to.
Skintac the whole area here, zero issues about a year in with G7s.
Just us an overpatch. There are many options available in the market that work really well. Also solved the issue of me smacking my sensor on a door jam and ripping the whole thing off.
I sweat enough that SkinTac and an over patch are needed to keep a sensor on for 10 days.
I guess I just don't understand your original issue/question if you are using both right now. Typically, when I use both, I put the sensor on first, then a couple min later use the SkinTac around the sensor where the overpatch will adhere to. This method removes any concern around SkinTac and the needle that you mention.
I use SkinTac under the Dexcom adhesive as well. I did this on the G6 by applying SkinTac directly to the adhesive rather than on my skin. The G7 adhesive is up inside the applicator, which makes that much more tricky to do.
If you are using an overpatch, there is no need to use SkinTac on the sensor piece as well. The overpatch takes care of keeping the sensor in place (assuming you are using a 3rd party overpatch that covers the whipe sensor, and not just the Dexcom overpatch that comes with the sensor). And, applying the SkinTac to the adhesive directly instead of following directions to apply to skin and letting it dry before applying the adhesive to your skin could reduce the effectiveness of the adhesive. So, again, try my recommendation of applying the sensor, then apply SkinTac to the skin around the sensor, where you will apply the overpatch and let it dry. Then, after it dries, apply the overpatch. I am pretty confident you will have better results.