Background: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems replace more and more capillary self-monitoring of blood glucose by patients with diabetes. However, at least a subset of patients experience adverse skin reactions such as severe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) after prolonged usage of CGM systems. A major allergen isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) has been identified recently.
Objectives: After developing an ACD, patients have difficulties in continuing the usage of their CGM system (and also of, eg, certain patch pumps). Most of such patients look for possibilities to continue the usage of, eg, a CGM system that requires intermittent scanning (iscCGM, Freestyle Libre).
Patients and methods: Eight patients with a known ACD were supplied with different hydrocolloid-based plasters (n = 5 with Hansaplast blister plaster, n = 2 with Cutimed Hydro B from BSN, and n = 1 with Stomahesive baseplate from Convatec). They attached these plasters to their skin underneath their iscCGM system.
Results: All patients were able to continue the usage of this iscCGM system when using such plasters.
Conclusion: Patients with ACD benefit from the usage of such plasters; however, some limitations have to be acknowledged.
Keywords: Freestyle Libre; acrylates; allergic contact dermatitis; hydrocolloid blister plaster; insulin pump; isobornyl acrylate; patch test.