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Type 1 Reaction to freestyle libre sensor

lorraine c

Member
Messages
23
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Has anyone had a reaction from a libre sensor , I have been using them for the past 6 months all has been fine until now 11 days of wearing , I have had to remove it as so itchy .
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Unfortunately, this is not uncommon.
Others have reported getting skin reactions after 6 months of usage of the Libre.

Someone mentioned a Facebook group about it and contacting Abbot (the manufacturer).
This may have been @EllieM. I hope she will forgive me if it was someone else.
 
Hi it was me, it’s the Dexcom and Libre rash on Facebook. Let your medical team, and Abbott know, and fill in a form on the MHRA site for medical devices. (Just put it into search engine). There are lots of people having reactions to this. Usually after many months using it. The more people registering problems the better.
My first line of defence has been to spray 4 layers of Cavilon on before putting sensor on. Have had success with the last 4 sensors. Hoping it continues.
Lots of ideas from people on Facebook, but ultimately lots have given up. Good luck!
 
I can confirm that I'm one of the many that had to stop using the libre after developing an allergy - this resulted in readings which became so erratic/inaccurate as to be completely useless. Although the allergy did diminish after 6 months of no libre usage the results continued to be "off". Am now contemplating the dexcom but worry that I might develop the same issue.... It's a wonderful gadget if it works for you but it unfortunately does not work for all.
 
I also have this problem and talked to my diabetic nurse about this, she suggested putting the sensor on my thigh to give my arms a rest and also to try Cavilon (I have tried SkinTac and SkinPrep neither of which worked). Has anyone else tried their sensor on their leg? Abbott say not to (I suspect because they haven't actually tested it anywhere else apart from the arm) but my nurse said there wasn't much of a difference in results. My sensors have also, within the last 3 weeks or so, stopped sticking (never used to have a problem), one fell off after 4 days, the next after 6 and the one I have on at the moment started coming unstuck a day or so ago and I have popped Tegaderm Transparent Film Dressing over it which so far appears to be doing the business - fingers crossed!! I am going to be little Ms Devastated if I have to stop using the Libre, my control is so much better:-(
 
I also have this problem and talked to my diabetic nurse about this, she suggested putting the sensor on my thigh to give my arms a rest and also to try Cavilon (I have tried SkinTac and SkinPrep neither of which worked). Has anyone else tried their sensor on their leg? Abbott say not to (I suspect because they haven't actually tested it anywhere else apart from the arm) but my nurse said there wasn't much of a difference in results. My sensors have also, within the last 3 weeks or so, stopped sticking (never used to have a problem), one fell off after 4 days, the next after 6 and the one I have on at the moment started coming unstuck a day or so ago and I have popped Tegaderm Transparent Film Dressing over it which so far appears to be doing the business - fingers crossed!! I am going to be little Ms Devastated if I have to stop using the Libre, my control is so much better:-(
I had the same problems with an allergy developing to libre after 6-7 months of placing sensors on alternate arms during which time it was working well - then every sensor started giving stupid readings, with major itching and rash, and also sensors repeatedly failing to stay in place I found nothing helped and was left with a stash of sensors that Abbot wouldnt refund me on. I decided to give up on libre and to just experiment with alternative sites with the sensors I had.
Over the past couple of months I have applied 3 to my right thigh ( front of thigh but toward the rhs) and each one has worked perfectly with no rash / itching etc. Im still not going to bother with buying libre long term but my experience seems to indicate that changing site can help, although I would suspect the allergic resonse will develop anywhere over time
 
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They work just fine on my thighs. I put them there to give my arms a rest as I seem to be getting a reaction to the filament.
 
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