Old Infusion Set Sites - how can I help heal those red prick marks ....

[TonyAlmeida]

Experienced pumpers probably know the answer .... hopefully one of these days I'll be one.  But whenever I remove the old site's cannula, I get a little red spot were it pierced the skin.  Sometimes it's barely visible.  Sometimes (like today) it's right there plain as day.  A little red pin ***** dot. It's not an infection and doesn't hurt (itches a little when the cannula first comes out).

I know they're just ***** marks and you will get these for having something poking you through the skin for that length of time.  I usually (right after removing the cannula) treat the spot with little Neosporin to prevent infection (since it is actually is a puncture).  

Anyone have a method that helps heal the hole the cannula made in your skin and make the little "red dots" .... not to sound vain or anything .... well, less of a red dot or disappear?

I apologize for asking a lot of questions on this board - Diabetes and Pumping and Cannula pin ***** marks on my abdoman and Sugar/Carb Counting are all so new (and sometimes frustrating/tiring) to me.  Every once in a while someone will tell me "oh, those little ***** marks are going to scar up your stomach dude - no girl is going to want to see that" which will immediately depress me.  Months ago I never really looked at my stomach - now I'm really touchy about it or anywhere I have to stick, infuse, or inject.

[JDRF-Team-dm]

Dear Tony,
While my son who has diabetes dosn't use the pump, I spoke with several people who do.  The main response was basically the same as Wendy.  The neosporin seemed the best way to go.  My friend did say he had problem getting rid of the red marks, but they usually did go away.

Please feel free to keep the questions coming.  Thats what we're here for. Sometime sooner than later, there will be no need for any red ***** site problems.  Take care.
Debbie

[JDRF Volunteer WAK]

TONY,
I can tell you what we do for my daughters pump bumps as she calls them.  As soon as she takes the site out she takes a q-tip with hydrogen peroxide and puts it directly on the site. (To make sure that there is no infection.), Then she takes a teeny tiny spot of Neosporin and she puts it on the red spot. Depending on how red it is sometimes she uses bandage, but usually not. She usually puts the Neosporin on again later in the day.  By the next day the red spot is almost gone.  Give it a try, it works for us.–Hope it helps.

We are here to help answer your questions, we are happy that you have found us, please do not be stranger and comeback again.
Wendy

[nurse12hr]

Tony,
Even though I am not diabetic, my mother is, and I like coming to this site to learn new things that could potentially be of use to her.  Don't stop asking questions; I have learned a lot just by reading the replies to some of the ones you ask!

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

If your site itches a little when you are changing it, it probably means that you should consider changing it a bit sooner.

I've been pumping about 8 years, and while I know that more frequent site changes reduce any red spots & itchiness for me ... I often don't take my own advice ;-)  I hope you will and just writing this to you is a good reminder to me.

Sometimes I use a bit of Vitamin E oil, but most of the time I just let it "age" away.  I very much like the idea of a preventive drop of peroxide & neosporin, however, and plan to add those steps to my routine.

Thanks for asking the question!

[TonyAlmeida]

Sigh .... I'm only allocated enough supplies for 2 changes per week for 3 months and 2 spares.  :^(  Anything more and my insurance makes me pay the full price outright for the infusion sets.  (Don't you just love health insurance companies?)

I did note though that one side of my abdomen is more "sensitive" than the other.  And I also noted that the "red dots" or "pump bumps" appear with sites at or below bellybutton level.

I will try the "peroxide q-tip/neosporin" steps in my next site change.  It sounds promising.

[JDRF Volunteer WAK]

Tony  
Have your doctor contact your insurance and tell them that you need to change your set every other day.  I do billing for durable medical equipment billing and collections for a living. If the doctor states that it is medically necessary they should pay.  I have yet to see an insurance company that will not up the supplies with medical documentation. You need to get the doctor involved.  It usually is a simple letter from his office.  When you call your insurance ask to speak to a supervisor and explain the situation, I have found that they give you a more accurate answer then the people that answer the phones.

Wendy

[TonyAlmeida]

Well - several site changes later .... I've tried the "peroxide q-tip/neosporin" steps when removing the old old site. It's kind of a hit or miss thing.  Sometimes it works - most of the time you still end up with a little red mark that eventually fades after about 9 days (for me).

I have, however, done something to keep any bruising down when you get some bleeding when removing an old site (say, when you have hit a tiny capulary or tiny hair root you can't see). My colleague at work (Bob's an EMT for our local volunteer fire department) told me about this when I used to get blood after an insulin injection back when I was using Humalog Pens.  If I see a drop of blood, I wipe it away and hit the spot with a piece of ice and numb it for maybe a minute or two.  That stops any further leakage of blood under the skin.  Then I wipe away the water and do the peroxide q-tip/neosporin steps.  Haven't bruised again since I've started doing that.  (Just be sure to use clean ice to prevent infection .....)  You may still get a little red mark - but it's better than a nasty bruise.