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CGMS Itching

Nicola M

Nicola M

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1,071
Location
Nottinghamshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Had CGMS fitted last Thursday to monitor my blood sugars for a week. At first it was ok but after the first day it has been so itchy. I have a clear tape over the top of it to keep it in place but the itching is driving me insane. I have 2 days left with this on what can I do to relieve the itching :( ?
 
Don't know about the hospital Cgms but you are not supposed to cover the top of the Dexcom Cgm transmitter.
 
Hi Nicola,

I had one on for a week in December. The clear tape covering it is probably Opsite or something similar. It is only keeping the sensor firmly attached and will probably not be what is causing your issue.

I had a very slight prickly itching on days 6 and 7 of wearing mine and nothing too bad. However, like many others, I have had a bad skin reaction and terrible itching from the adhesive used by Abbott on their Libre sensors, so I would assume you might be having a similar reaction to the CGM adhesive.

There are two possibilities really - either the probe is coming loose and causing the itching - in which case, gently pushing it back in and holding it down firmly with more Opsite tape might do the trick for the next couple of days or you are developing an allergic reaction to the adhesive. Are you able to see enough through the tape to make sure it isn't bleeding or weeping at all? To be honest, I'd ring your care team and see what they say - they might need to remove the sensor early.

Smidge
 
I can see through the tape and most of the way around the CGMS is red. No bleeding or anything.
 
I think the cgm sensor being used is the iPro. Medtronic supply the cgm tape to fit around the sensor that is pre cut to fit. I haven't experienced any skin discomfort yet but that's ionly 6 days and then removed to see the online data om a pc monitor so am hoping that I will be ok using Dexcom adhesive.

As the iPro has already been stuck to the skin, there isn't anything that can be done to relieve the itching except remove it. A chat to a pharmacist might help though as an anti histamine could relieve the itching although could also cause sedation so best to be cautious esp if driving a car
 
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