The Dexcom glucose monitoring system - an isobornyl acrylate free alternative for Diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: Glucose monitoring systems, eg Freestyle Libre (Abott) and Dexcom (Nintamed) more and more replace conventional blood sugar measurement. However, many patients experienced adverse skin reactions such as severe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Finally, in August 2017 the culprit allergen in Freestyle Libre, isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), was identified.

OBJECTIVES: After developing ACD it is not recommended to use their glucose monitoring system anymore. Thus, it is important to find out an alternative isobornylacrylate-free device.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients presented an ACD caused by Freestyle Libre. Each was patch tested using allergens from the baseline series and from a plastics and glues series and additionally IBOA 0.1% pet. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of the Freestyle Libre sensor and the Dexcom sensor were performed. The Dexcom sensor remained on the skin of all patients for at least 2 days.

RESULTS: All patients were sensitized to IBOA. GC/MS demonstrated the presence of IBOA in the Freestyle Libre sensor, while the Dexcom was IBOA-free. None of patients had skin reactions to the Dexcom sensor.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Freestyle Libre and IBOA allergy may use the Dexcom sensor as an alternative in glucose monitoring. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.