So my next sensor (on my thigh) has also left a nasty red rash. Looks like, 6 sensors in, my body has decided it doesn't like the Libre and that I'll be getting these rashes every time now. First ones were absolutely fine and didn't leave so much as a small mark. Annoying. The rashes are not painful or itchy, just really red and unsightly. Not sure if I should see my GP or just keep going on? Does anyone know the latest advice? I'm on holiday now but will try the compeed/bio oil suggestion when back home. Hopefully that will help.
Hi Pinewood,
Your experience of the skin reaction mirrors mine and many other people's. It is a very common issue judging by the social media discussions and 5or 6 sensors seem to be the trigger point for most. Obviously there are many who don't get the skin reaction, but it is far more common than Abbott are admitting to.
The advice from Abbott, GP and anywhere else that has information on this type of skin reaction is to stop using the thing that causes it.
Once the reaction has happened, I think it is almost certain that you will get some level of reaction with every sensor. The biggest success rate in avoiding it seems to be to put the sensor on through a compeed plaster. I currently have mine over a duoderm plaster. It is not supported by Abbott, but it doesn't seem to have made the sensor any more or less reliable in my case. I hate it though because it now looks even more ugly than just wearing a sensor, especially as I expect I'll need to put some opsite over it in the next day or two to keep it stuck firmly.
I have tried Cavillon as a barrier but it made almost no difference; skintac made quite a big difference in reducing the damage, but I still got an unsightly red mark - and both required opsite over the sensor from about day 10 as the adhesive didn't seem to stick for as long to the barriers as it does to bare skin. I'm not actually sure what else to try or suggest.
Smidge