Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2014 Jul;8(4):745-51.
doi: 10.1177/1932296814529893. Epub 2014 Apr 24.

Skin and adhesive issues with continuous glucose monitors: a sticky situation

Kimberly Englert  1 , Katrina Ruedy  2 , Julie Coffey  3 , Kimberly Caswell  3 , Amy Steffen  4 , Lucy Levandoski  5 ; Diabetes Research in Children (DirecNet) Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Skin and adhesive issues with continuous glucose monitors: a sticky situation

Kimberly Englert et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe challenges associated with successful use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) by young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to detail the techniques and products used to improve the duration of sensor wear. The DirecNet Study Group conducted 2 studies in 169 children with T1D between the ages of 1 and 9 years who were instructed to wear a CGM device daily. Problems related to skin irritation and sensor adhesiveness in these young children presented challenges to daily use of the CGM. Study coordinators instituted a variety of techniques using commercially available products to attempt to overcome these problems. Three primary factors that contributed to reduced CGM use were identified: the limited body surface area in smaller children, ambient temperature and humidity, as well as the type and duration of physical activity. Using supplemental products to minimize the impact of these factors resulted in improved adherence and reduced skin irritation. Achieving satisfactory adhesion of the CGM sensor and transmitter may involve finding the right supplemental product or combination of products through trial and error. Optimizing adhesion and minimizing skin irritation can significantly improve duration of use and tolerability of CGM devices by young children.

Keywords: CGM; adhesive; children; irritation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: KE reports a consulting agreement with Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc, from 2009 to 2010. The other authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Adhesive wipes IV Prep and Skin Tac.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Transparent dressings and barriers.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
(a) Small Tegaderm cut in half to secure the MiniLink transmitter and Sof-sensor. (b) With the use of the small Tegaderm as a template, the Hypafix tape is cut to the small Tegaderm shape and then cut in half to secure the MiniLink transmitter and Sof-sensor with minimal adhesive exposure. (c) Application of the small Tegaderm over the Sof-sensor and MiniLink transmitter. An additional piece of Tegederm is placed under the MiniLink transmitter for participants experiencing skin irritation related to the plastic MiniLink transmitter. (d) Application of the Hypafix tape cut to secure the MiniLink transmitter and Sof-sensor.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
(a) Coban wrap in 3-in and 1.5-in widths. (b) Application of Coban to MiniLink transmitter and Sof-sensor. (c) Application of Coban to the Navigator sensor support mount and attached transmitter.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
(a) Navigator sensor support mount/transmitter with large Tegaderm template. (b) Navigator sensor support mount/transmitter with Hypafix template. (c) Application of large Tegaderm and Hypafix respectively to the Navigator sensor support mount and transmitter.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Desrocher M, Rovet J. Neurocognitive correlates of type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood. Child Neuropsychol. 2004;10:36-52. - PubMed
    1. Ferguson SC, Blane A, Perros P, et al. Cognitive ability and brain structure in type 1 diabetes: relation to microangiopathy and preceding severe hypoglycemia. Diabetes. 2003;52:149-156. - PubMed
    1. Hyllienmark L, Maltez J, Dandenell A, Luvigsson J, Brismar T. EEG abnormalities with and without relation to severe hypoglycemi in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2005;48:412-419. - PubMed
    1. Perros P, Deary IJ, Sellar RJ, Best JJ, Frier BM. Brain abnormalities demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging in adult IDDM patients with and without a history of recurrent severe hypoglycemia. Diabetes Care. 1997;20:1013-1018. - PubMed
    1. Ryan CM, Becker DJ. Hypoglycemia in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Risk factors, cognitive function, and management. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 1999;28:883-900. - PubMed

Publication types