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Hypos caused by itching cream ?

H

Homer

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
The last few days I’ve been experiencing hypos, never had this before, mostly have it under control.
Early morning three nights running woken by my libre two alarm showing readings between 3 and 4;
But last night it was at 2.6 with the arrow pointing down.
I felt terrible had to have biscuits with jam to get it back up, it did go up to 5, then a hour later back down to 3,
So much more to eat to build it up again, the only change in my medication is taking Eurax itching cream and I stopped it and would you believe it back to normal, has anyone else had this happened to them ?
Been in touch with diabetic nurse was told to monitor it, then tell them on Monday with any developments, the nurse did said she has never heard of a cream that can decrease sugar levels, only steroid cream which can increase levels.
I did blood tests in case the libre had a fault but it was roughly the same, any help or advice would be appreciated.
 
I suppose it could be the cream @Homer It seems strange that you’d absorb enough to cause hypos though, so perhaps it’s just a coincidence.

My advice is to use Dextrose tablets or Lift GlucoShots to treat a hypo because they’ll get your blood sugar up quickly. You can always have a biscuit or two afterwards as longer-acting carbs.
 
Thanks Inka
I did take dextrose tablets but didn’t work quickly so that’s why I took biscuits
It may be a coincidence but I’ve felt great and no ill health until this happened
 
It might be wise to avoid the Eurax cream just in case @Homer and for your own reassurance. There are other creams and gels you could try that don’t contain the same active ingredient. I like aloe Vera gel for dry and itching skin. I use the Banana Boat one. There’s also old-fashioned calamine lotion. Messy but helps.
 
Sorry to hear about your nasty lows @Homer :(

Whenever that has happened to me - lots of lows which are harder to bring back up - it’s been more to do with my basal being too high.So it’d be worth keeping an eye on things ov er the next few days. My basal needs rise and fall through the year, and my basal being just a tiny bit out it can make a huge difference to how my meal doses work.
 
Get some sort of skin allergy in warner weather, makes my back itch like crazy, tried E45 & others then Dr prescribed Dermacool, it's a fantastic product which cools skin so calms down irritation.

I'm type 1 so can say that Dermacool has no impact on my bg anyway.
 
I have tried E45 it’s not too bad, but will see about Dermacool.
Thanks for that
 
Homer said:
I have tried E45 it’s not too bad, but will see about Dermacool.
Thanks for that
Click to expand...
Doublebase or Hydromol are both also good for itching, it may depend on where the itching is as to what is the most effective.
 
Homer said:
Thanks Inka
I did take dextrose tablets but didn’t work quickly so that’s why I took biscuits
It may be a coincidence but I’ve felt great and no ill health until this happened
Click to expand...
Leadinglights said:
Doublebase or Hydromol are both also good for itching, it may depend on where the itching is as to what is the most effective.
Click to expand...

I use 200ml orange juice very quick acting. Do you get anything for treating hypos on prescription .
 
Homer said:
The last few days I’ve been experiencing hypos, never had this before, mostly have it under control.
Early morning three nights running woken by my libre two alarm showing readings between 3 and 4;
But last night it was at 2.6 with the arrow pointing down.
I felt terrible had to have biscuits with jam to get it back up, it did go up to 5, then a hour later back down to 3,
So much more to eat to build it up again, the only change in my medication is taking Eurax itching cream and I stopped it and would you believe it back to normal, has anyone else had this happened to them ?
Been in touch with diabetic nurse was told to monitor it, then tell them on Monday with any developments, the nurse did said she has never heard of a cream that can decrease sugar levels, only steroid cream which can increase levels.
I did blood tests in case the libre had a fault but it was roughly the same, any help or advice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
The only thing I could imagine re any topical ointments is that some of them cause a warming reaction that can speed up the absorption of insulin. I hope you are now feeling better in any case as hypos are horrid.
 
Inka said:
I suppose it could be the cream @Homer It seems strange that you’d absorb enough to cause hypos though, so perhaps it’s just a coincidence.

My advice is to use Dextrose tablets or Lift GlucoShots to treat a hypo because they’ll get your blood sugar up quickly. You can always have a biscuit or two afterwards as longer-acting carbs.
Click to expand...

Are lift shots on prescription I have been given sachets of gluco which I cannot open is binned/
 
Lilly said:
Are lift shots on prescription I have been given sachets of gluco which I cannot open is binned/
Click to expand...

No, I don’t think so. Very, very few people get hypo treatments on prescription.

The cheapest to buy, I’ve found, are the Dextro glucose tablets, the Lift GlucoShots are pricier but often on offer as 3 for the price of two. I also recommend the 150ml cans of Coke (branded) which are something like £5 for 12 cans.
 
Just to let you know my sugar levels are back to normal , it was the Eurax cream which caused it, so my diabetic nurse has reported it on the yellow card system. Thanks to everyone on different creams to try and Im using one now with no problems.
 
Gosh how interesting @Homer

I wonder whether many others have had the same experience. That’s a good thing about the Yellow Card system I guess, information about rare and unusual reactions can be gathered together and looked into, rather than just being ignored or written off as ‘diabetes weirdness’.

Well done your nurse for Yellow Carding!

It’s odd, because it looks like the active ingredient in Eurax is Crotamiton, which is a corticosteroid. And I’d always heard of steroids as potentially raising BG levels
 
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