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Reaction to pump adhesive

L

Liltzero

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Relationship to Diabetes
Parent
Hi- grateful for any advice. My DD hasworn an Omnipod 5 and dexcom sensor for a year. A week ago she was changing her pump and took it off without using the adhesive remover spray and made the skin sore. This seems to have triggered (?) a skin reaction to her next pod and also to the sensor and her skin is very red and raw looking over quite a big area. I got her some barrier spray and she is wearing her devices on a new area entirely (stomach) but the skin that reacted is very peely and sore looking- any tips of what I could put on it or any other advice with managing this? Or why it happened all of a sudden- not happened before. Thanks
 
@Liltzero If it’s looking red and raw, I’d get it looked at by a GP. It’s possibly there’s some infection and, even if there isn’t, an infection could enter the skin. I’d want it checked out just to be sure.
 
The adhesives are very strong so if you’re not using an adhesive remover or similar then the skin can react to being pulled about and can be red and bumpy. It usually calms down after a day or two. A neutral (not overly scented) moisturiser can help as long as it’s not actively angry red or an antihistamine cream. But as this is a new thing that’s happened and it’s not localised to one area I would give your diabetes nurse a call and chat over the possibilities and if they suggest the GP then do that.

There are various barriers like the spray or tegaderm or under patches that can be used to provide a barrier between the skin and the adhesive but where the device will still stick.

Do move sites are much as you can so one area doesn’t get overly sensitised.

Our first call is pretty much always to the diabetes team as they have seen it all and can offer specific advice whereas GPs often haven’t seen as many people wearing devices and so having reactions.

In between devices being on we’ve found it helpful to lightly exfoliate and moisture the areas used as it helps keep the skin healthy.
 
My daughter was quite happily using cannulas for 9 years and sensors for nearly 5 with no problems, and then all of a sudden starting having skin reactions. The doctor said it’s contact dermatitis, i.e. caused by having things stuck to her which are irritating. She has steroid creams to use when it flares up. Best to see your GP
 
@Thebearcametoo - please, please tell me the brand name of 'a neutral not over perfumed moisturiser' because the skin over my whole body and limbs desperately needs moisturising and now I find such a lot of me impossible to reach easily, when it does get slapped on, it needs to last a bit !
 
trophywench said:
@Thebearcametoo - please, please tell me the brand name of 'a neutral not over perfumed moisturiser' because the skin over my whole body and limbs desperately needs moisturising and now I find such a lot of me impossible to reach easily, when it does get slapped on, it needs to last a bit !
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E45 or Aqueous Cream is generally advised. I personally use a cheap Derma V10 Coconut Body Butter but obviously that is scented after I have exfoliated.... I use exfoliating gloves in the shower with my shower gel to remove dry flakey skin and then dry and apply my body butter. I have been using it for years because it works for me.


@Liltzero I would use Germolene cream on any angry/sore skin. It contains a mild anaesthetic as well as antibacterial. I always have a tube of Germoline handy to treat minor skin infections like spots and irritations or inflamed cuts. It works like a miracle cure for me.
 
@trophywench as above aqueous cream or lotion. These can also be used for washing with if your skin is especially sensitive or dry (dermatologists hate things like soap) and there’s some evidence that washing with them is better than using them as leave on emollients. I often use either double base or e45 for washing but there are lots of less well known brands around that are cheaper and contain the same stuff. Good old Vaseline can be useful on skin too depending on the issues. And sudocrem or other zinc oxide based creams can good for treatment but a little goes a very very long way
 
Sorry to hear about the skin reaction @Liltzero

Hopefully it can be eased and healed up without too much trouble, and the reaction won’t re-occur.

Unfortunately some people do seem to develop a sensitivity to device adhesives over time, which can need extra precautions to prevent pretty nasty reactions :(

When I‘ve had an angry one I use Opsite film with a little hole next time, and fire the device through that - so that hardly any of the device adhesive comes into contact with my skin. Touch wood I seem to have escaped a major adverse reaction so far (except from the Medtronic sensor overtapes which I just couldn’t use at all)
 
Vaseline is a waterproof barrier to me, not a moisturiser. Admittedly something ?the petroleum content? melts the residue of elastoplast etc sticky on the skin providing you are patient as you work at the sticky residue which eventually comes off in little (grey!) balls, yuk. Can't imagine getting either a pump cannula or a Libre etc sensor adhering to human skin covered in Vaseline or anything else greasy.

I think I'll try the Double Base brand - possibly the Once, if I can get it easily enough.
 
trophywench said:
Vaseline is a waterproof barrier to me, not a moisturiser. Admittedly something ?the petroleum content? melts the residue of elastoplast etc sticky on the skin providing you are patient as you work at the sticky residue which eventually comes off in little (grey!) balls, yuk. Can't imagine getting either a pump cannula or a Libre etc sensor adhering to human skin covered in Vaseline or anything else greasy.

I think I'll try the Double Base brand - possibly the Once, if I can get it easily enough.
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It can be useful for skin healing because it creates a barrier but yes not to then try and put a device on.
 
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