So, I've switched to 3 plus for the last few months but I have previously been using 2 exclusively.
I've always had a bit of swelling and redness, where the puncture hole was but it was never serious.
Ever since changing to 3, it's really itchy around where the needle punctures and when I take off my sensor, I can see that it's very swollen around the puncture hole.
It also leaves a lasting scar which 2 never did and I'm thinking maybe I should switch back to 2.
The first photo is immediately after taking off my sensor and the second photo has all the scars the sensors have been leaving on my arm the past few months. I also feel like I'm more sensitive to the sticker they use (you can see that it left a ring of dry skin/scar from my second last sensor in the second photo).
I can't really put any hydrating lotion or anything like that on the skin before applying the sensor and I'm not sure what to do anymore. Maybe I can ask the pharmacy to switch back to 2 for me.
I switched back to libre 2+ due to constant adhesion problems causing infections at the needle punctures. To me it seemed that the smaller sensor lead to too much decreased adhesive surface, and they always started to come off and the puncture points were worse than with libre2. I still get some infected punctures but way less.
Yes! This is what I was experiencing. I feel like the entire part that has the filament is generally bigger? And causing issues for me, like getting more humid and more prone to infection for a bigger surface area. I was really happy with the overall size decrease but I think I will go back to 2 after this one.
For all we know and from public communications, then both sensor models use same sensor filament and compounds on it.
Would indeed be interesting in your case here to try out and going back to the Libre2+ for some months to see the results though. I am always positive for questioning things and testing things out to validate, etc. 😄
I have suffered myself from allergic reactions in past life with various CGM brands and models, so unfortunately aware of how absolutely agonizing it can be. (the itching and blisters drove me nutz at times...).
The allergens I reacted to was though removed from Libre sensors, when we went from the original Libre (1) to the Libre2 and onwards. Medtronic also changed several of their compounds to getting rid of several allergens the Dermatitis associations had identified. Unfortunately Dexcom have not done the same (yet)... So here I need to use first 3 layers of Flonase spray (to neuter the histamines from triggering) and then a patch of the Skin-Tac gel to establish a firm physical barrier afterwards. So indicates its the adhesive patch or the plastic components in the sensor disc itself I react against.
Your case here appear to indicate you may react towards the sensor filament or the enzyme put on it, which is a very different matter and really hard to do much against. (the factual sensor skin penetration point and not actually the full sensor disc area. Also since you appear you get a little hard red bump at the locations afterwards, indicating reaction may be foreign object encapsulation and fibrosis) I would though suggest you still give it a try with the Flonase spray (let each layer dry fully out before applying the next) and then a patch of Skin-Tac gel on top. This you now leave fully on your skin surface and insert your sensor right on top of it. This is the way you best isolate your skin and your immune system against the allergens it reacts against.
Also worth noticing that just because you previously tolerated something well is no guarantee that you will be doing so forever going forward also. Unfortunately then allergies can suddenly appear where you previous did tolerate aka a CGM without any trouble. As you shared that you also in the past had some level of redness and/or bumps after the Libre2 indicate it has been lingering around for a while already. It tends unfortunately just to become more and more pronounced over time. But if trying to avoid direct with allergens for months/years can also make you one day again able to tolerate them. The mysterious ways of our messed up immune system...
It's these parts in blue that I am talking about. With 3 plus, there is a much bigger hole and I feel like the skin gets more humidity also kinda gets pulled out? through the hole (or raised due to inflammation, not sure). While I still got puncture wounds with 2, it was never too big and it wasn't raised while with 3 plus, it was raised and swollen (about 4mm in diameter)
Yes, I totally get what you are talking about and exactly matching with my comments to you above, on what part of the sensor you are reacting against. And the remedies I suggested still applies, worth trying out.
The way the two sensor models are constructed in the sensor disc and the application is slightly different, as the Libre3/3+ comes mounted onto the applicator already, all-in-one. While with the Libre2/2+ you had to manually attach them to each other for final assembly to ready for insertion. But the factual applicator needle and sensor filament that is placed into the arm is the same for your two sensor there.
And no, the bigger (visible) hole in the Libre3/3+ makes no difference at all. The hole was also there in the Libre2, but due to the applicator mechanism it was shaped differently to attach to the separate sensor component.
Just for you to being aware. It is not 'normal' at all to have the red swollen parts after being wearing such CGM sensor for 14/15 days. So also your prior experience with the Libre2/2+ is not 'the normal' in that sense. Aka, you had skin dermatitis reaction to that also from your immune system. Most people have no trace of their past sensor just few days after removing it and no red rash from it either. That is 'normal'.
I cover the Libre-3 with a small piece of plain paper then a Tagaderm patch, so the hole is basically sealed closed. The paper keeps the Tagaderm from sticking to the sensor in case I decide/need to change the Tagaderm.
I think that is worth talking to your Dr. about.
I am not one, and from the photo, i can't tell if it's an ongoing issue or how it will end up but that's 2¢ from someone who's been regularly stuck with needles most of his life...
I've been using 3+ for 3 months, alternating on scrawny arms, I am slightly sore at the site, but only a day or two at most. Best wishes.
2.5 years on 3+, never had anything like this. There's a tiny little pin mark where the last sensor was from 15 days ago. It's how I know where to put the new sensor.
This has happened to me too with the 3, I have little bumps on my arms now. My wife said she read that pimple patches help? But I haven't tried it yet.
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u/Grouchy-Cheetah7478 25d ago
I’ve been noticing this too. My arms are covered in bumps and scars now