I think we can all agree on one thing, diabetes stinks. But, I have to admit, technology does help make diabetes a little bit easier. Devices like CGMs and pumps help to simplify our daily routines as people living with diabetes. For those of you who are unaware, an insulin pump continuously pumps insulin into a person's body 24/7 via an infusion set inserted under the skin and attached with a sticker. A CGM is a device that constantly monitors a person's blood glucose levels and alerts them if they go out of range. A CGM is also inserted under the skin and attached to the body with a sticker like device. These devices make life easier, but keeping those stickers stuck to the skin can be a pain... that is where Expression Med comes in!
First, I want to thank Expression Med for partnering with me and sending me some of their products to review for this blog. Expression Med is a company founded with one idea in mind, to make devices stick in style. These adhesives are light, thin, and excellent for sensitive skin. They are easily applied and will last upwards of a few weeks. With my sensitive skin and bad history of poor skin reactions to adhesives, I was hesitant to try something new, but I am happy to report that Expression Med is a win!
I applied my first Expression Med adhesive to a brand new Dexcom sensor with hopes that it would help my sensor last through a week of swimming and working out (and sweating, a lot). I applied the sensor to clean and dry skin with no extra adhesives such as skin tac. The tape is thin, easy to apply, and once it is on the skin it is unnoticeable. I loved how light and breathable it felt on my skin. Now, I was going to be putting it to the test. The week I wore this first adhesive, I was in my 2 week summer break so my plans included lots of time outside. Throughout the week I spent multiple days in the pool and I worked out every night. The adhesive of the Expression Med tape began to only slightly peel on day 4 but it was just a small amount around the edges. By day 7, the adhesive was still stuck good and I could have probably gotten another 4-7 days out of it but my sensor failed.
Now, the true test... did it do well with my sensitive skin? When removing the patch I was expecting red, bumpy, irritated skin that I usually get but, to my surprise, my skin was intact and not broken out! Score! I am so thrilled to have another option for adhesives that do not bother my skin.
All in all, I was very impressed with Expression Med adhesives. They are light, thin, good for sensitive skin, and long lasting. If you are looking for something new to try on yours or your child's CGM or pump sites, visit the website linked below!
-Ashlyn
