Pumps and skin allergies?

[EllieM]

Every so often my diabetic specialist has asked if I want to go on a pump. I've so far said no because my injections of lantus and humalog work quite well, but I do wonder if having a pump would make hypo avoidance easier...

My biggest concern atm is that after 8 months of use I became allergic to freestyle libre and I wonder if the same thing would happen with a pump. The libre itches in a range from bad to almost not at all and leaves me with skin that varies from a bit red to an actual bleeding mess. Also, I suspect that the allergy is effecting my arm under the skin, because the libre results have become too inaccurate to use. I've stopped using the libre for now in order to give my arms a rest. Obviously I'm concerned that a similar thing will happen with a pump.... Any advice?

 

[claire1991]

It can happen. I sometimes get what you described from my pump sites.
I know there are barrier creams and sprays that you can use to stop this from happening so I wouldn’t let that put you off a pump before you’ve tried it.
Speak to your GP or diabetes team and they may be able to prescribe something for you so you can continue with your libre too. Cavlon spray is a good one.

 

[EllieM]

It can happen. I sometimes get what you described from my pump sites.
I know there are barrier creams and sprays that you can use to stop this from happening so I wouldn’t let that put you off a pump before you’ve tried it.
Speak to your GP or diabetes team and they may be able to prescribe something for you so you can continue with your libre too. Cavlon spray is a good one.

Thanks for that. I'm currently in New Zealand, previously in Australia, and as I was an early adopter of the libre the diabetic teams haven't been able to help, other than give me creams for after I remove the sensor. But I'd live with the allergy if the libre results hadn't become so erratic (because of the allergy??? )/

 

[Proto]

I've been on the pump for around 6 years and have never had a reaction to the (Medtronic Quickest) infusion sets. But I still get a slight reaction from the libre every other sensor. I think it just depends on the adhesive they use.

Maybe ask the clinic if you could have a sample of the infusion set and wear it for 2-3days without a pump and see if you react to it?

 

[Bluey1]

An allergy developed over along time who knows. The site gets changed much more frequently. It's certainly a different glue (and most probably between brands) . It could be worth rotating through the generic brands of cannulas as well. For an instant I'm allergic reaction my D educator got me to wear a few for the 3 days each to look for a reaction.
You may also be describing a reaction to the sensor. The sensor on the Libre is some metal coated with some enzyme or something, the cannula is some special plastic.

 

[Jo_the_milkmaid]

I developed a severe reaction to omnipod pump adhesive and now use tadegderm which is a very fine film that sticks on your skin under the pump. Although it still itches and I get rough skin on sites it has helped. Good luck. The pump has changed my life in so
Many ways