Are there additional adhesive solutions for Stelo?
Stelo biosensor adhesive tips
This is a summary of a clinical article published by clinicians independent from Dexcom based on their knowledge and experience. * Dexcom has not tested these approaches, nor do we endorse these specific approaches. For detailed step-by-step instructions on how to use your Stelo Glucose Biosensor, please refer to your user guide.
Whether you're a swimmer, runner, or just someone who needs a little extra support for your biosensor, we've got you covered with a variety of options for patches, tapes, and liquid adhesives—plus tips to help make sure your biosensor stays put.
Adhesive patches or tapes
You can apply additional adhesive patches or tape over the Stelo adhesive patch.1,2 If you’re using one of these products, we suggest that you:
- Cut a hole in the adhesive patch or tape to fit over the biosensor, or
- Cut the adhesive patch or tape into strips to use ‘‘picture frame’’ technique around the biosensor adhesive patch1,3
Product | Advantages | Professional tips |
Cloth-like patches:
| - Precut to fit the biosensor - Flexible and breathable - Excellent adhesion even when wet - Bright colors and fun shapes | - Similar materials to kinesiology tapes and may be stretched or cut |
Hypafix® | - Thicker, fabric-like adhesive than transparent films - Can be cut to size - Excellent adhesion even when wet | - Excellent staying power and thickness |
Transpore™ Surgical Tape | - Clear, porous, plastic hypoallergenic tape | - Comes in a tape roll, best used as a supplement to counteract a peeling patch |
IV3000 (Smith&Nephew) | - Thin transparent film | - Not breathable, may peel with sweating or if water gets under |
Nonadhesive wraps:
| - If you’re unable to tolerate additional adhesive, wraps are an alternative that help keep your biosensor in place | - Wrap loosely, and do not compress skin with elastic wraps - Remove during nighttime to avoid tissue compression - Consider for short-term use—during sports, activity, etc. |
Liquid adhesive agents
Liquid adhesive agents can also be used with the biosensor adhesive patch.1,2 If you're using a liquid adhesive, we recommend that you:
- Create an empty oval on the skin with the product, let it dry, then apply the biosensor on clean skin in the center of oval. We suggest creating an oval so your biosensor does not go through the liquid adhesive. If you apply your biosensor through liquid adhesive, it can affect its accuracy.
- Once the overpatch is applied, apply the liquid adhesive onto the overpatch fabric and let dry
Product | Advantages | Professional tips |
No-Sting skin Prep (Smith&Nephew) | - Provides barrier protection | - Comes in wipes or liquid - Not as strong as Skin Tac or Mastisol |
Skin TacTM (Torbot) | - Provides barrier protection - Higher adhesive properties than Skin Prep - Latex-free, hypoallergenic, nonrubber adhesive | - Comes in wipes or liquid - Consider use of removal product (Tac Away) - May cause irritation for sensitive skin |
Mastisol® Liquid Adhesive (Eloquest) | - Higher adhesive properties than Skin Prep or Skin Tac - Can be used when other adhesive products have failed | - Comes in liquid, swabs, or single-use vials - Consider use of removal product (Detachol) - More likely to cause sensitive skin irritation |
*This paper was based on: Messer L., & Beatson C., Preserving Skin Integrity with Chronic Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics Volume 20, Supplement 2, 2018.
1. Chase HP, Messer L: Understanding Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitors. 3rd ed. Denver: Children’s Diabetes Research Foundation, 2016.
2. Englert K, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2014;8:745–751.
3. Ives B, et al. Diabetes Educ. 2010;36:53–62.
2. Englert K, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2014;8:745–751.
3. Ives B, et al. Diabetes Educ. 2010;36:53–62.
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