Prevalence and prevention of contact dermatitis caused by freestyle libre: A monocentric experience

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Cutaneous adverse events (CAE) from FreeStyle Libre include allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by the allergen isobornyl acrylate (IBOA). We aim to report CAE from this glucose sensor, ACD to IBOA in particular, and the outcome of using barrier films as a prevention. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A monocentric, retrospective review of medical files from adult and pediatric patients with diabetes using Freestyle Libre, in the period between December 2016 and April 2019, was performed with a focus on CAE. RESULTS Fifty-seven of 1,036 patients with diabetes (5.5%) were referred to our dermatology department because of CAE from FreeStyle Libre. Thirty-nine of 1,036 (3.8%) had ACD due to IBOA. Only two patients, of whom one sensitized to IBOA, had a benefit from using barrier films. CONCLUSIONS CAE occurred in 5.5% of FreeStyle Libre users, and 3.8% suffered from ACD due to IBOA. Barrier films had limited value in the prevention.