Dexcom G6 - issues with skin reactions

[icowden]

Is anyone else having issues with skin reactions to the adhesive on Dexcom G6?

My daughter was diagnosed just before her 11th birthday and has been using the LIbre2 then Libre3 with no issues.
She has recently moved onto Omnipod 5 integrated with Dexcom G6.

The first few Dexcoms were fine (she normally wears the sensor on her arms), but for the last 5 or 6 sensors, every one that she has worn on her arms has caused a significant skin reaction, and two have generated infections at the cannula insertion.

They seem to be OK when worn on the stomach, but her arms don't seem to like the adhesive. We are using Cavilon at the recommendation of our Diabetes Team, and she uses an overpatch.

I just wondered whether anyone else is reacting badly to Dexcom adhesive, and whether the hive mind has any suggestions?

 

[Juicyj]

Hi there, I used to have a reaction too when I first started using the Dexcom and had to use Cavilon spray to protect my skin, but found it was the medtronic sure t cannula sets which caused me more angst as site were really sore and even a few days after removal, my skin seems to bear both now without any spray so has worn off now, I still get a red area but not painful now, hopefully your daughter's skin will get used to the adhesive in time but Cavilon was the best solution for me.

 

[ellietj]

Is anyone else having issues with skin reactions to the adhesive on Dexcom G6?

My daughter was diagnosed just before her 11th birthday and has been using the LIbre2 then Libre3 with no issues.
She has recently moved onto Omnipod 5 integrated with Dexcom G6.

The first few Dexcoms were fine (she normally wears the sensor on her arms), but for the last 5 or 6 sensors, every one that she has worn on her arms has caused a significant skin reaction, and two have generated infections at the cannula insertion.

They seem to be OK when worn on the stomach, but her arms don't seem to like the adhesive. We are using Cavilon at the recommendation of our Diabetes Team, and she uses an overpatch.

I just wondered whether anyone else is reacting badly to Dexcom adhesive, and whether the hive mind has any suggestions?

Yes! My arms were fine for the first few Dexcoms, then I found it was slightly itchy more or less as soon as applied. My skin is now scaly and dry when I take it off after the 10 days and it takes multiple applications of body lotion for at least a week before the skin goes back to normal. I talked to my pump clinic and they hadn't heard of it but reported it to Dexcom, and i also did via the helpline. Maybe a couple of months later I was given the means to speak to a Dexcom adviser on this particular topic. By which I mean that that was her full-time job. Talking to people about their bad reactions! "They are aware of the problem and are working on it". This was a year ago. Nothing has yet changed. I was advised to use an underpatch, though I'd have to buy these from a pharmacy (UK), cut a little hole and stick it on, then hope to line up the exact point where the cannula is inserted goes through the hole I'd cut. I have changed to Omnipod 6 but for some reason the Freestyle Libre 2 Plus would not work for me with the Omnipod. By the way, the adviser told me (maybe she shouldn't hhave let it slip) that a very large number of people are having this problem. So at the very least I suggest that she goes back to Freestyle Libre 2 Plus (I didn't know there was a "3"), which is compatible with Omnipod 6 but not 5, and definitely reports it to the dexcom oncall team as they need to know!! Good luck.

 

[icowden]

Thought I'd share an update. R is definitely extremely allergic to the glue they use. G6s are lasting 5 to 6 days tops, and that's using a tegaderm patch as a barrier between the sensor and the skin. WIthout it she was getting what almost looked like burns that took weeks to heal.

We have been referred to the Dexcom skin care nurse, but the suggestions are pretty much what we have been doing. Put something between the dexcom and the skin. Anyone know if the G7 has a different adhesive?

 

[EllieM]

Anyone know if the G7 has a different adhesive?

I have had similar issues with G6 and G7, but have taken to applying two layers of cavilon and recently have had no issues at all. (I actually wonder of the adhesive has changed on the G7, because my issues have resolved over last few months.) But dexcom support have been good at sending me numerous links about possible allergy work arounds.

 

[Hopeful34]

Have you tried applying a Tegaderm patch without a sensor on top, to check she's not slightly allergic to it as well. I start getting a reaction to Tegaderm after a few hours, which is why I'm asking.