The Dexcom G7 and G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems offer ways for users always to know their glucose numbers and whether they are trending higher or lower. And the best benefit? No fingersticks!
Dexcom sensor systems are for people two years and older with any type of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes.
Unfortunately, some folks have trouble finding the right place to insert the sensor on their bodies. Read on if you’re having problems finding a good location for your Dexcom G7 or G6 sensor!
Related reading
- 5 Common Dexcom Errors and How to Fix Them
- Top 11 tips and tricks for Dexcom G7 users using an iPhone and Apple Watch
- The Best Diabetes management apps for your iPhone and Apple Watch this year
- United Health launches its own Level2 continuous glucose monitoring wearable system
- Dexcom G6, A gift for Diabetes Patients
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What is the Dexcom G7 and G6 sensor?
The central idea around the Dexcom G6 sensor is fulfilling the promise of ‘Zero Fingersticks.’ Most Diabetes patients can testify about the discomfort around continuously pricking their fingertips to measure the relevant diabetes readings accurately.
The Dexcom G6 and G7 sensors are FDA-approved and a game-changer, particularly for diabetes patients who need to monitor their glucose levels continuously.
As opposed to regular Blood glucose monitoring, CGM, or continuous glucose monitoring, regularly monitors your glucose number throughout the day with the help of the sensor and the Dexcom Clarity app or receiver.
The Dexcom Sensor package includes a simple auto-applicator that inserts a tiny sensor right beneath the skin.
The sensor and the transmitter continuously monitor your blood glucose levels and wirelessly transmit the information to a display device such as your phone or smartwatch.
Folks with an Apple Watch can also view their Dexcom app number and trending indication arrow as complications on the watch face.
Are the Dexcom sensors waterproof?
The G5/G6/G7 Sensor Pod is water-resistant when the transmitter is installed correctly forup to 2.4 meters.
You can swim, shower, and take a bath with the sensor.When you are in the water, you may not get sensor readings if you are more than6 meters away from its receiver.
Once you are out of the water, be sure to dry the patch. The patch stays on longer if you keep it dry.
The receiver is not water-resistant or waterproof and can be damaged if moisture gets inside. Water can also severely limit communication range with the sensor, so you never want to prevent communication between the transmitter and display devices.
You must also remember that some skincare products, such as sunscreens and insect repellents, can make the plastic used in your Dexcom sensor crack. So, avoiding skin care products around the area is good.
You can wear the sensor continuously for ten days and it is water-resistant.
Apart from the sensor placement, the Dexcom app is another thing you will need to get familiar with. Some users experience minor annoyance in setting up their Dexcomm and monitoring their progress.
We have identified the most common Dexcom-related users and provided tips on overcoming these problems. Please check out the article below.
- 5 Common Dexcom Errors and How to Fix Them
Where should you put the Dexcom G7 sensor?
The G7 sensor’s position is a bit different than previous generations, depending on the user’s age.
- Adults and children ages 7 years and older: back of the upper arm.
- Children ages 2 years to 6 years: back of the upper arm or upper buttocks.
When applying the sensor to a new site, never use the same sensor site twice in a row.
Where should you put the Dexcom G6 sensor?
As per guidance from Dexcom, for children.
“Just like G5 Mobile, sensor insertion sites are on the belly (age two years and older) or the upper buttocks (ages 2-17 years).”
For adults, look for a place on your belly or upper buttocks where you have some padding. (Body fat).
Avoid areas that have scarring, tattoos, bones, or irritation. It is also important to ensure that the area where you attach the G6 sensor does not get pushed, bumped, or add discomfort when sleeping.
Do not place the patch where the skin folds when bending or near the waistband area.
Make sure you change the location where you insert the sensor each time!
It’s okay to try other places on the body!
Many Dexcom users have tried other body areas to insert the sensor.
Some users who don’t have adequate abdomen fat tried attaching the Dexcom G6 sensor to the backside of the arm.
“We put our son’s in the back of his arm. Not easy for him to mess around with, and it’s out of the way for the most part.”
Placing it at the back of the arm allows you to switch the placement to the other arm when youreplace the sensor after ten days. This is especially good for pediatric patients who will not get their hands on the sensor and try to peel it off or tamper with the adhesive.
DEXCOM finally received the CE Marking in Europe for allowing users to wear it on the back of the upper arm.
If you can’t find a good place for the sensor, ask your doctor
As with other medical applications, you must check with your doctor or endocrinologist before establishing the best spot for the Dexcom G6 sensor.
Clean and dry skin is essential before you insert the sensor
- Clean and dry your hands and your insertion site before inserting your sensor.
- Please wash your hands with soap and water, not gel cleaners, and then dry them before opening the sensor package. (If your hands are dirty when you insert the sensor, you may get germs on the insertion site and infection.)
- Clean your insertion site with alcohol wipes to prevent infections.
- Don’t insert the sensor until your skin is completely dry.(If your insertion site is not clean and completely dry, you risk infection or the transmitter holder not sticking well.)
- Avoid any activities that cause profuse sweating until the patch is fully attached to your skin.
If using an extra adhesive likeMastisol or SkinTac, place that additional adhesive under the patch. And take care to avoid the spot where the needle inserts. Let this other adhesive thoroughly dry before inserting the needle.
Depending on weather and other factors, the patch may take 12 hours to dry thoroughly and stick to the skin.
Is the sensor patch peeling off too early before the entire ten days?
First, follow all the instructions to clean and dry the skin.
Although the adhesive quality starts to give away around ten days, Dexcom has some good directionsthat will help you keep the unit on for the entire ten days.
- 💪 LASTS 10-14 DAYS: Our glucose monitor CGM adhesive patch holds your device firmly to your skin...
- 💧 WATERPROOF & SWEATPROOF: Our premium Dexcom G6 adhesive patches are made from 100%...
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You may also want to explore a popular third-party adhesive support called ‘SKIN GRIP’ available from Amazon.
The G7 is an advancement in Diabetes sensors 
Dexcom and Verily (Google’s life sciences division)recently launched theG7,a much thinner, less expensive, fully disposable continuous glucose monitor,in the US.
The new G7 sensor units are significantly smaller, fully disposable, and can be worn for up to 10 days, plus a 12-hour grace period to change sensors for continuous data.
Like the G6, the G7 does not requirefingersticks, scanning, or calibration and provides real-time glucose readings that are sent automatically every 5 minutes to your paired phone or receiver.
Caregivers and family members (share with up to 10 total people) can use the Dexcom Follow app to remotely monitor their loved one’s glucose readings.
Key differences between the G7 and G6
- An all-in-one sensor that’s 60% smaller than the G6with fewer components.
- No sensor code, only a 4-digit pairing code is provided for each new Dexcom G7 applicator.
- New alert quiet modes let you silence all alerts for up to 6 hours.
- 30-minute sensor warm-up.
- 12-hour grace period to replace finished sensors for a more seamless transition between sessions.
- Dexcom Clarity integration and improved alert settings.
- A redesigned optional receiver that is smaller with a more vibrant, easier-to-read display.
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