If your Dexcom G7 keeps coming loose during workouts, sweating, showers, or swimming, the way you prepare the skin and protect the sensor can make a significant difference.
In our experience at Lexcam, the most common situations where people have trouble keeping a G7 in place are sweating and water exposure. Oils, sweat, and moisture can make it harder for an adhesive patch to bond properly.
The good news is that you can take several practical steps to improve adhesion. Start with clean, completely dry skin, apply your CGM and overpatch carefully, and give the adhesive time to set before exposing the area to water or heavy sweating.
1. Start with clean, dry skin
Good adhesion starts before you apply the overpatch.
After inserting your Dexcom G7, clean and degrease the skin around the sensor with an alcohol wipe. If there is significant hair at the application site, carefully trim or shave it so the patch can make better contact with the skin.
Most importantly, let the skin dry completely before applying the overpatch.
This is also consistent with Dexcom's own adhesion guidance: the sensor site should be clean and completely dry, and removing excess hair can help the patch stay in place.
Avoid applying lotions, oils, or other products that leave the skin greasy immediately before applying the patch.
2. Apply the CGM first, then the overpatch
The order is simple:
- Prepare and clean the skin.
- Let it dry completely.
- Insert your Dexcom G7 according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Apply the Lexcam overpatch around the sensor.
- Press the patch firmly so the adhesive has good contact with the skin.
If you normally have trouble with adhesion, an additional adhesive can be used before applying the overpatch. Dexcom also lists additional adhesive as an option for people who need extra support.
3. Give the adhesive time to set
One of the most useful things you can do after applying a new overpatch is simply leave it alone.
We recommend keeping the area dry and avoiding heavy sweating for the first 6–12 hours after application. The longer the patch stays dry and sweat-free during those first hours, the more time the adhesive has to establish a good bond.
Dexcom gives similar guidance, specifically recommending keeping the patch dry and sweat-free during the first 12 hours.
That means it is better to plan a new sensor and overpatch around your routine rather than applying one immediately before a swim or intense workout.
4. If you exercise and sweat heavily
Sweat is one of the situations that can challenge any adhesive.
If you train regularly, pay particular attention to the skin preparation step. Clean and degrease the area, let it dry completely, and make sure the overpatch is firmly attached before you start exercising.
Lexcam patches are designed to be waterproof and sweatproof and to provide additional protection around the G7 during active use.
Our experience is that people can use the patches during regular gym sessions and heavy sweating. We've also seen customers use them while swimming several times a week without problems with the patch staying in place.
At the same time, adhesion is individual. Skin type, how much a person sweats, and how often they swim or exercise can all affect how long an adhesive patch remains secure. Dexcom also identifies skin type, activity level, sweat, and application technique as factors that can affect adhesion.
5. Swimming and showering are possible — but protect the adhesive
Dexcom G7 is designed to be waterproof and can be used while swimming, showering, and bathing when properly installed. Dexcom specifies that the sensor can be submerged under 8 feet of water for up to 24 hours without failure when properly installed.
But there is an important distinction between the sensor being waterproof and the adhesive staying firmly attached.
Dexcom specifically notes that the patch stays on longer when it is kept dry.
For that reason, when you apply a new overpatch, give it the first 6–12 hours to set before swimming or taking a long shower.
After swimming or showering, gently pat the area dry rather than rubbing the patch.
6. Choose an overpatch that fits your routine
There isn't one identical routine for every G7 user.
Someone who spends most of the day indoors may have very different adhesion needs from someone who works out every day, swims several times a week, or sweats heavily.
Lexcam makes G7 overpatches in different options. The clear G7 patch has a pre-cut opening for the sensor, while the tan option is designed to cover the sensor completely. The patches are also available in different pack sizes.
The goal is simple: add another layer of protection around the sensor so everyday movement, sweat, and water are less likely to cause the adhesive to lift.
7. What if your G7 still keeps falling off?
If you've cleaned and dried your skin properly, allowed the adhesive to set, and still have repeated adhesion problems, look at your individual routine.
Ask yourself:
- Do you sweat heavily during workouts?
- Are you swimming frequently?
- Does the patch regularly get wet during the first several hours?
- Is there hair at the application site?
- Are you applying the patch to completely dry, oil-free skin?
- Does the patch experience repeated rubbing from clothing or movement?
Dexcom also recommends paying attention to placement, avoiding areas where skin folds or clothing can rub against the patch, and removing residue from a previous sensor before applying a new one.
When an overpatch may not be the right solution
An overpatch addresses physical retention of the sensor. It does not solve every possible problem associated with CGM use.
If you experience significant itching, burning, or a rash under the adhesive, Dexcom recommends discussing the issue with a healthcare provider and contacting Dexcom support.
Adhesion can also vary from person to person. A routine that works well for someone who swims three times a week may not produce exactly the same result for someone with different skin characteristics or a different activity level.
The simple routine we recommend
If you want to give your Dexcom G7 the best chance of staying in place, keep the routine simple:
Clean → dry completely → insert the G7 → apply the overpatch → keep it dry and sweat-free for the first 6–12 hours.
For people who exercise, sweat, swim, or simply want additional protection during everyday wear, a waterproof and sweatproof overpatch can provide an extra layer of security around the sensor.
At Lexcam, we've seen our patches used through regular gym workouts, heavy sweating, showers, and swimming. Some customers have reported using them while swimming several times a week without the patch coming loose.
The exact wear time will always depend on the person's skin and routine, but proper preparation gives the adhesive the best starting point.
If you want to see the available G7 options, pack sizes, specifications, and current bundles, you can visit the Lexcam Dexcom G7 overpatch product page. Lexcam Dexcom G7 Overpatches
About Lexcam
Lexcam creates adhesive patches and overpatches for continuous glucose monitoring systems, including Dexcom G7 and Stelo, with a focus on secure, comfortable everyday wear. The company is operated by NBG LLC, founded in New York City in 2016.