. 2018 Jun 1;20(Suppl 2):S2-54–S2-64. doi: 10.1089/dia.2018.0080

Table 3.

Adhesive Supplements and Tackifiers


Liquid adhesive agents
• Glucose sensor manufacturers recommend not inserting a sensor through barrier films,³⁸ although anecdotal evidence suggests this is commonly done^a. May leave a small circle on skin without film for sensor/cannula insertion³¹
• Wipe on skin and let dry completely before placing sensor/IIS.
• May also be soaked into the manufacturer's tape after placement^a
• When using prepackaged wipes, tear outer package in half and discard top half. Hold bottom half to avoid touching adhesive

Product	Advantages	Professional tips
Skin Prep/ No-Sting Skin Prep (Smith&Nephew)	—Also provides barrier protection for skin (Table 2)	—Wipes or liquid —Not as strong adhesive properties as Skin Tac or Mastisol
Skin Tac™ (Torbot)	—Additionally provides barrier protection for skin —Higher adhesive properties than skin prep —Latex-free, hypoallergenic, nonrubber adhesive	—Wipes or liquid —Reciprocal removal product called Tac Away™ —May cause irritation for sensitive skin^a
Mastisol^® Liquid Adhesive (Eloquest)	—Higher adhesive properties than Skin Prep or Skin Tac —Can be used when other tackifiers have failed	—Comes in liquid, swabs, or single use vials —Has reciprocal removal product called Detachol^® —More likely to cause irritation in sensitive skin^a —Has been shown to cause allergic contact dermatitis in some individuals³⁹

Adhesive Patches or tapes
• As additional adhesive, patches, and tape should be applied over CGM/IIS tape^16,31,38
• Can cut hole to fit over transmitters or a “C” shape to fit around IIS tubing disconnection point to reinforce existing tape
• Can cut into strips to use “picture frame” technique around sensor or pump set adhesive^18,31
• Can be used to reinforce peeling as needed through CGM/IIS life
• Not recommended to cover large or bulky devices (e.g., Dexcom transmitter or patch pump)^a

Product	Advantages	Professional tips
IV3000 (Smith&Nephew)	—Thin transparent film similar to Opsite but not recommended for open wounds —May cause less reactions than Tegaderm^a	—May also be used as a barrier (see Table 2) when placed under sensor/infusion set tape —Not breathable, may peel with sweating or if water gets under
Tegaderm HP	—Thin transparent film similar to IV3000 —HP stands for “Holding Power” and may adhere more strongly than standard Tegaderm	—May cause more irritation than IV3000^a —Not breathable, may peel with sweating or if water gets under
Hypafix^®	—Thicker, fabric like adhesive than transparent films —Can be cut to size —Excellent adhesion for swimming, water	—Comes as a roll and can be cut to size. —Excellent staying power and thickness for reinforcing peeling tape^a —May cause less trauma to skin upon removal¹⁶
Opsite™/Opsite Flexifit™ (Smith&Nephew)	—Breathable transparent film with moderate permeability, can be used for open wounds (in contrast to IV3000)	—Can come as precut patches or roll
Blenderm™ (3M)	—clear plastic hypoallergenic tape	—Tape roll, best used as supplement to peeling tape
Transpore™ Surgical Tape	—clear, porous, plastic hypoallergenic tape	—Tape roll, best used as supplement to peeling tape
Kinesiology tape —RockTape^® —KT Tape)	—Comes in role for custom cutting —Gentle on skin with mild stretch properties	—Similar material to RockaDex and GrifGrips, in tape role for custom cutting —Bright colors or neutral tones available
Cloth-like adhesive patches specific for diabetes devices: —GrifGrips^® —RockaDex —Simpatch™	—Precut for CGM and infusion sets —Flexible and breathable —Excellent adhesion for swimming, water —Bright colors and shapes for children	—Similar materials to kinesiology tapes and may be stretched or cut to fit a variety of devices and body shapes
Nonadhesive wraps: —Coban —Ace —Bands4Life	—if unable to tolerate additional adhesive, wraps may help keep sites in place^16,31,32	—Do not compress skin with elastic wraps. Wrap loosely and remove during nighttime to avoid excessive tissue compression^a —Consider for short-term use—during sports, activity, etc.

Recommendations based on literature (cited), expert opinion, manufacturer's indication, or common clinical practice unless otherwise indicated.

^{^a}

Used within our institution or support in public commentary, online articles, diabetes blogs, social media.

^{^b}

Unclear support, requires additional studies.