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Tape Tips

• Preps and Wipes
• Tapes And Adhesives
• Adhesive Removers
• General Suggestions

Preps and Wipes 1

These are brushed onto clean skin at the chosen site. For many of these products, once they dry, they provide a barrier layer between the skin and your tape (or adhesive product). Do not use skin prep or barrier wipes where the glucose sensor goes into the skin, as inserting the glucose sensor through any barrier may damage the glucose sensor.

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Tapes and Adhesives 1

These are used to help hold an infusion set or MiniLink® transmitter in place on your body.

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Adhesive Removers 1

People with sensitive skin sometimes find that the adhesive residue causes skin reactions after removal. Adhesive dissolvers can help with this issue.

Products listed are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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General Suggestions

• Keep the site clean–shaven.
• Try exfoliating (removing dead surface skin cells) with a facial scrub, brush or loofah (or simply a washcloth) followed by an alcohol swab, then soap and water.
• Stretch skin taut before using bonding agent or tape.
• After you apply the tape, go back around the edge of the tape with your finger to seal the edges to your skin.
• Use sticky medical cloth tape over the infusion set or sensor when you have to be absolutely sure the site doesn’t come loose—for instance, when you compete in athletic events. Athletic tape (for example: PowerFlex) can also work well - the kind used for taping ankles,etc.
• Avoid wearing seams or waistbands over the site because they may rub and loosen the tape.
• Avoid using lotions where you intend on applying tape as the tape won’t stick well to your site.

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Antiperspirant

Some people find that using an antiperspirant on their site prior to insertion helps the tape stick better.

• Purchase a solid or spray antiperspirant deodorant for site use only (no gels or creams). Sprays really work best - otherwise sticking can be an issue.
• Apply to chosen infusion or sensor site and allow it to soak in for 10-15 minutes.
• Cleanse site to remove residue from skin.
• Follow insertion directions as usual.
• Cleanse a solid stick with an alcohol wipe after each use.

The antiperspirant formulas target a specific gland in the epidermis of the skin that 'turns-off' the production of moisture. This will allow the infusion set or sensor to stick better with minimal need for extra tape or sticky substances that might increase the risk of skin reactions.

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Infusion Set - Basic Method

Several products are available that may help you secure your site.

Medtronic Diabetes carries IV Prep™, which you can use on your skin as an antiseptic skin preparation; Mastisol® adhesive and its remover, Detachol® — which many insulin pump wearers swear by for keeping infusion sets in place when nothing else works. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you have a difficult time keeping your infusion set in place:

1. Change the site when you are showering: Before you shower, remove your old infusion set. Clean off the old adhesive with an adhesive remover such as Uni–Solve™ or Detachol (for removing Mastisol). In the shower, wash off the solvent with soap.
2. Let skin dry THOROUGHLY before applying either the infusion set or the adhesive.
3. Apply a tacky prep wipe (for example IV Prep) in a large area around the site and fan it, allowing it to become tacky. (You can also try a stronger adhesive, such as Mastisol. However, be sure to have Detachol solvent available for removal.)
4. Touch as little of the adhesive as possible on the infusion set so as to avoid getting skin oils on it.
5. On days you know you will be very active, sweating or swimming, cover the site with additional adhesive tape.
6. To prepare an adhesive overtape for the Silhouette® or Quick–set® infusion sets, fold the tape in half with only a slight crease. Cut out a half–moon that’s half the size of the plastic "bump" on the infusion set. When you unfold it, it will be just the right size. If the tape peels off, you can replace it to last until the next site change.
7. You can try using additional tape on the corners to prevent them from peeling up and lifting the entire infusion site out.
8. Check regularly to make sure the tubing is not pulling on the site and adding stress on the adhesive.
9. When all else fails, change the site!

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Infusion Set - Sandwich Method

The sandwich method should be used with infusion sets only to help your infusion set stay in place. You cannot use the Sandwich Method with sensors because the sensor electrode is sensitive and could become damaged if inserted through anything other than dry skin prepped with alcohol.

1. Prep the skin and allow the prep to dry.
2. Apply a clear adhesive dressing (for example: Tegaderm or Polyskin) directly to the skin. NOTE: Check the instructions on the adhesive dressing that you choose to confirm that the manufacturer does not state that the adhesive properties decrease when another tape is placed over or under it as that is exactly what you will be doing with this method.
3. Insert the infusion set through the clear adhesive dressing (follow the instructions for inserting infusion sets) - In this way the adhesive on the infusion set will be sticking to the clear adhesive dressing instead of sticking directly to your skin.
4. *Optional* Apply a second clear adhesive dressing on top of the infusion set. Remember you will need to cut a hole in the second clear adhesive dressing so that you can easily disconnect and reconnect at your quick release

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Glucose Sensor

It is highly recommended that you cover the transmitter and sensor with a transparent dressing to secure the system in place and ensure that the sensor remains fully inserted underneath the skin. Seasonal climates, skin lotions/creams, trapped moisture, or different clothing may affect your sensor tape adhesion or the way your body reacts to it. Here are some tips you may want to try:

• If too much tape is applied, it may weigh down the transmitter and cause it to fall off.
• Cut a piece of IV-3000® in half and place it crossways so that it covers the glucose sensor and the part of the MiniLink® transmitter closest to the sensor connection. This secures the glucose sensor and MiniLink transmitter while allowing them to air dry.
• Try another type of tape from your local pharmacy or a simple Band-Aid® over the MiniLink transmitter.
• While the sensor and transmitter are safe to be worn in a hot tub, be careful as the adhesive may weaken.
• After inserting the glucose sensor and prior to removing the paper backing, lift back the white tape tab and paint the area underneath with a liquid skin barrier like Nexcare™ Skin Crack Care. Hold back the white glucose sensor tape for about 10 seconds before removing the white tape and pressing down.

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This information is provided for the convenience of our customers. Any listing here does not constitute an endorsement of the manufacturer or the product quality. Medtronic is not responsible for the completeness or accuracy of product information. Availability may vary by country and region. Please check with the manufacturer listed or consult your pharmacist.