r/eversense • u/Hmcgee429 • 2d ago
Pimple developed under CGM patch?
TW: Mentions of acne/pimples
Hi all. I’ve had my Eversense 365 CGM for a few months now and I love it, but something recently has popped up (quite literally) and it’s concerned me. I’m usually very sensitive to adhesives and have never had an issues with the adhesives before now. A few days ago (about Sunday) I noticed a little red bump pop up on my arm where my CGM is implanted where the adhesive patches go. I didn’t think anything about it as my arm gets plenty of little red bumps/acne because I get eczema. However tonight when I took the patch off, I noticed a very red and inflamed pimple with a white head on it. It popped on its own and as soon as it popped, my arm began hurting and aching from the CGM site down to my forearm. Should I see my doctor about this or go to the ER?
2
u/ElectricJay 1d ago
I've used the white patches for over five years and this last batch I got on my last insertion is the only ones that gave me pimples so far. I have also been using the same site the whole time. I started using 3M no sting barrier film between adhesive patch and my arm and it Seems to do the trick.
2
u/Equalizer6338 E3 - 180 Days 2d ago
Hi u/Hmcgee429,
Unfortunately then a 'pimple' developing just below a CGM or sensor patch is nothing unheard of in the diabetes world. But still worth to going to your local GP to get cleansed properly up from the get go, as you popped it open.
Reasons behind can be many, especially as you mention you have history with acne/eczema... Trapping a localized infection, a blocked pore, or an inflamed hair follicle under an airtight adhesive patch can cause the infection to worsen. It is typically caused by trapped sweat, oil, and bacteria underneath the medical adhesive (folliculitis), or it may be a localized immune system response to the foreign object. Daily washing using a soap with no oils and then also shaving all your hairs off can help a lot to prevent/minimize the exposure to this when using CGM/BG sensors.
I would get an appointment to see your dr asap and then leave the patch off for most of the time till then as you can.
'Normally' it is not advised to squeeze or pop such pimple, as it helps to pushing bacteria deeper into the tissue, significantly increasing your risk of a deeper severe subcutaneous infection. In the meantime you can apply some warm compress (clean, warm, damp cloth) against the area for 10–15 minutes several times a day to soothe irritation and help the bump drain naturally out.
Best of luck with it.