I’m using a mini-med paradigm 512 pump and cgm and I’m now highly allergic to adhesive. I’m using quick sets for my insertion sets and tegaderm to cover my cgm sites. Any suggestions other than taking benadryl and zyrtec round the clock?
Aliza
I had a similar problem. I know use IV3000 by Smith&Nephew
I use Bard skin protector on the sites before insertion. Seems to help.
I never did well with IV 3000 and did much better with Tegaderm (another brand of clear adhesive). You can also get dressing material in a roll, much like the cloth adhesive on the set itself (called Hypafix or Mefix) which often works even better. By now, I prep my skin with alcohol and then dab some Maalox from a cotton ball over the site and let it dry prior to insertion. When I first started using the Maalox my basal rates dropped significantly, and it took me about 2 weeks to figure out why. I’ve worn a pump for 25+ years and through the years I have changed from the use of one set to another, when I began to react. Using Benadryl is helpful for short term use, but if you have ongoing need for use of antihistamine just to keep the sites in, I would look for different sets and or options, as the inflammation and reactivity around the site impacts insulin absorption and need. I also change my site every 2 days to decrease the amount of reactivity around my site.
I was allergic to the quick sets and called mm and they sent me samples or different sets and tapes to try out and test if I was allergic before wasting my money buying a huge supply. The sillohoute has worked well for me since then though. It’s made for people with sensitive skin, or so that’s what they told me.
Hi everyone,
Just found something neat (mentioning it in case you haven’t – may be old news): look up flexifix tape on amazon. Great stuff and cheap too.
Bunny =:)
I am also allergic to adhesive. When I had a PICC line last year, the nurses at the outpatient clinic used Tegaderm HP - which is a hypo allergenic version of the regular Tegaderm. It worked well for me, however it isn’t particularly easy to find. I found it online by “googling” the words hypoallergenic tegaderm. I have also used it for infusion sets by cutting a small hole in the Tegaderm HP for the cannula to go through upon insertion.
I am a hair replacement specialist, and we use a product called ‘scalp protector’ from Walker tape co., it creates a barrier between the glue/tape and your skin. works quite well, might be something you’d like to try.??