Very Dry Skin around infusion site areas .... help?

[TonyAlmeida]

The last couple weeks have been depressing for me.

It started when I noticed across my abdoman, where I put QuickSet infusion sets in .... all the skin was starting to get very dry and flake.

I called MiniMed to see if they had changed an adhesive on the QuickSets .... they had not.

My endo just thought it was dry skin and gave me some hydrocortizone cream (.2%) to relieve the redness. It did.

I haven't had an issue with the adhesive QuickSets use - but I noticed that the dryness is around where the adhesive was where I had previous sets.  The skin looks a little funny ("tight looking" - but not rough or chapped).

Can your skin suddenly *not* like adhesives, even though it hasn't really been a problem in the past?

I use IV Prep to clean the area first, then put the set in, and then use Uni-Solv to loosen the adhesive and remove the set.  Wash everything afterward to get rid of adhesive and Uni-Solv residue.

I really could use some tips .... I look at my stomach now and just want to cry.  Up until a few weeks ago (and I haven't changed any routine) - I never had this problem.  :^(  And no .... the other sets scare me, especially the long angled ones ....

Just when I think I have this Diabetes under control - it does something to show me just how little control I have.

[setstrade]

Hi all - I am new to the forum, a diabetic 42 years and a pumper for 4-1/2. I have some extra Disetronic pump supplies, lost my job Oct. 29, and thought someone may want to trade...

I have a 3-month supply of Disetronic Insulin Pump Supplies:
- 315 ml Insulin Refill Cartridges
- Needles
- Site Prep Wipes            $2,500.00 value
- Adhesive Remover
- Batteries

To trade for an Epson Stylus Photo RX600 Inkjet All-in-One printer $349.00

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001CVGZK/104-2564679-9246364?v=glance

Best to all,

Jeff - ***@****

[JDRF-Team-ES]

Dear Tony,
I can certainly relate. I have been on the pump for about 6 years and the hardest part was finding the right set that didn't damage my skin.  I don't know which infusion set you are using, but I have a Disetronic pump and use the Ultraflex. I hated  the long angled ones too. The Ultraflex has a short straight needle that you pull out after you insert it it, leaving just a short plastic tube in your stomach.  The Ultraflex is a universal set and fits many different pumps.  The other reason I like this infusion set is because it can be snapped on and off when I take a shower or go swimming.  It has it's own adhesive and I don't need to use anything to loosen the adhesive when I remove it.  I also use the IV prep to clean the area first.  I wonder if the uni-solve may be contributing to your problem.  Another thing that I do is change my infusion set every other day and that cuts down on some of the soreness under the skin that I was having problems with. Changing more frequently might help with the dryness also.  

One thing for sure, when you think you've got one problem licked another one arises.  After 39 years with Type I, I know how frustrating it can be.  But even so, I can remember a time when there was no blood testing and insulin left holes in your skin and pumps were unimaginable.  So I guess we'll have to keep trying to figure out the best way to do things until they find the cure!  Good Luck!
Es

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Hi Tony,
Nice to hear your voice again :-)

I'm a pumper, too and I use the MM Quicksets with my Cozmo pump.  What initially comes to mind is the potential for us to overuse an area.  It's gotta be a little traumatic for skin cells to get adhesive yanked off every few days and sometimes (for me, at least) the adhesive area from one site overlaps a bit with the adhesive area from another.  In general, I think we need to limit the amount of alcohol-containing or acetone-containing adhesive removers and use mineral oil based ones.  And gentle gentle removal (both of the infusion set & any remaining goo).

It's great that the cortisone cream is working; I also wonder about "soothing" and cremes that contain Vitamins A, D, E or aloe or lanolin.  

I've also read where some folks put a medical tape on their skin and then attach the infusion set on TOP OF that layer.  I think it's called Tegaderm, but I'll check my with pal and will post another comment if I've botched that name.  My pal's daughter is either allergic to the adhesive in most infusion sets or her skin chemistry is such that the infusion tape doesn't stick -- this does.

I'd also be thinking along the lines of wider rotations and giving the problem areas a rest.  We can safely use not only the abdomen but also upper "butt," upper/outer thighs -- men allegedly can use this area a bit more easily than women.  Also upper/outer arm (For me, this site would require longer tubing than I use now & I haven't been able to visualize keeping the tubing manageable)

Hope this is helpful.  I'm not a physician nor a pump trainer and you can likely get some good help from those members of your team, too.