Sweet. So far so good for me with the Tegaderm. Guess I’ll just wait things out and let things settle.
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Like others, I’ve been on the OmniPod for about 8 years. I have NEVER had any skin irritation until my last shipment. Same irritation as described by others. painful and itchy. I called OmniPod and was told that OmniPod had not changed the adhesive but they were researching the issue with the manufacturer to see if THEY had changed the adhesive. I’m going to try some of the suggestions but honestly I’m bummed with having another “step” in the process. I am going to call them back again and see what they say. I have no doubt that the adhesive formulation was changed based on reading everyone’s remarks and the timing. I love my pod, but this is too painful and is leaving the rash on my skin for weeks. I hope they fix it!
Have been through a couple of pumps with both tegaderm and fluticasone and they are working fairly well together-- hardly any irritation, except around the spot where the cannula goes in.
However, I had an awesome find this evening-- an unused pump from one of my shipments before all this started (manufacture date of 4/2016)! So I decided to try this one without any special treatment. Will report back how it goes-- it will be interesting to see if it’s the same reaction.
Yes, please let us know, thats a very interesting “test” and an incredibly awesome find - I was really hoping I’d find one in a drawer or travel bag as well, for the same reason exactly. I’d be VERY interested in hearing what happens.
I know how you feel, Joni, an extra step (or two if you’re also spraying something) is a bummer, but, at least it doesn’t force a change to a tubed pump or back to MDI, either of which I am personally not fond of. I am hopeful that it was a change (planned or otherwise) and it will get resolved soon.
I think the skin issues may be idiosyncratic, and in my case the allergic reactions occur in some places on the body and not on others. I had no problems when I started using the Omnipod. All was good until about 3 years ago, when I started getting blisters. My doctors eventually suggested I try Tegaderm. Again, at first it was fine, but now it blisters as badly as the pod. My diabetes educator gave me some samples of different film products, but none of them worked. Funny thing is, I do have one area that doesn’t react as badly, and that’s on the lower abdomen. I tried other places all over for the pod after I got my CGM, as that’s the only place you’re supposed to place it. Long story short, I’ve gone back to the lower abdomen for both devices. I’ll just have to be careful about swapping out where I place them. I changed the pod two days ago, placed it on the lower abdomen with just a layer of Bard Protective Barrier Film (comes on a towelette in a foil packet). So far, no itch, no blisters. Fingers crossed. I’ve ordered a bottle of the Cavilon spray to try, since it’s less messy, but I’m not tossing the Bard, because it appears to be working. For now.
Hello! Having the same issue as many others here - I’ve been using the omnipod for about 2 years and have been getting irritated, red, bumpy skin under my pod only recently since my last shipment in October. I’m ordering Tough Pads to try underneath - do I need to cut a hole for the cannula insertion or can it go through the pad?
I have been using the Omnipod for about a year. I had no trouble with adhesive reaction until about 4 months (or so) ago. When putting the pod on, I saturate a cotton pad with Benadryl spray and apply it to the area where I am going to put my pod. I let it dry (takes only a few minutes) before I put the pod on. When taking the pod off, I soak the adhesive layer with 91% alcohol and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then I worry it off with a cotton pad, letting the pod fall off as opposed to pulling it off. I then immediately put Benadryl gel on the area, followed by a thick layer of A&D ointment. I keep treating the area with Benadryl gel and A&D until the rash clears.
I have come up with 12 different areas to rotate pod placement, and all of this seems to be working.
Love the pod, hate the rash.
@Kay2006 Not sure what shape the tough pads are, but with the tegaderms, I cut a little box out of the end of the tegaderm large enough for the cannula (see black box below-- I cut out that portion). I would guess that you probably shouldn’t let the cannula go through whatever pad you’re using.
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So for the pod that supposedly pre-dated my issue (see my post above, was manufactured in April), it only lasted 2 days… Started itching too bad. I would say the irritation/rash isn’t bad after, but it is there. Not sure what conclusion to draw from this, other than perhaps I’ve developed some allergic reaction to the adhesive.
Will keep at it though-- not quite ready to give up on the pods.
If anyone has any other relevant information or tricks, post!!
The cannula penetrates Tegaderm very well. I’m not familiar with tough pads.
@RobAW I’ve had the same experience. Out of the blue I started to get a severe rash from every omnipod. I learned about tough pads on this forum and that has done the trick, thank goodness. I don’t know why I started getting a rash. I don’t get a rash with Dexcom.
Same here. I have the Dexcom cgm and the Omnipod. Never have a problem with the cgm.
Dang @Jason22 , I was rooting for an itch-free pod, great test, none the less. I found a quite a bit older POD from a couple years ago that I stuck on this morning just to see what happens.
Yesterday, I spoke with my local Omnipod rep again and she mentioned trying Hypafix tape, which is a thicker barrier than Tegaderm and has helped people that still had rash issues with the Teg. She did say you needed to cut a spot for the cannula though as @Kay2006 mentioned, which makes sense. I also launch the POD right through the Tegaderm without cutting a hole, no issues I can tell with that so far. She also mentioned again that there have been a few more than usual occurrences of rashing but it’s by no means widespread and confirmed that it is still being investigated.
Thanks for everyone’s input, thoughts and opinions, it’s most appreciated - battle on…
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I am having the same problem and yes it has just been recently. I have been using the omnipod for years with no problem at all and the the rash showed up.
Ompipod uses two component glue to fit the pod to the plaster. That plaster is then fitted to the body. The two component glue gives the rashes .
Hello All,
Not only do I get a rash I have been getting a huge blister bubble right under the OmniPod.
When i remove it my skin has been sticking to the adhesive and popping the blister leaving a hole where my pod use to be it takes about a week to a week and a half to heal and hurts like a (insert swear words).
My representative sent me some unisolve removers and bard protective barriers.
on my last 2 pod removals it has been much easier. My skin is a little irritated, but it is still connected to me.
I am hoping that it keeps going well as i am not willing to give up my pods.
I use skin tac to keep my Dexcom attached as it needs to last 7 days. Made trying to take off my pod worse because of it’s stickiness.
Happy podding.
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A quick update. I was a little sad that my latest POD shipment has not resolved anything, but I keep hoping, I do, however, continue to get a rash. I mentioned earlier that I was getting no irritation with the Tegaderm under the POD, but have since found that I am still getting some irritation, although not nearly as bad as sticking the POD directly on the skin. I tried a spray barrier under the Teg for a POD or two, but found that it still did not resolve my issue.
So, I purchased Hypafix (noted in my post above) and am giving it a try under my latest POD (put on last nigh). So far, so good, its a little thicker than the Tegaderm and feels really good so far. As always, fingers crossed.
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Hi all-- another quick update. Got a call from Insulet this afternoon and the rep mentioned something about acrylic in the pod adhesive and that they have reduced the amount they are using. They are going to ship me 3 pods to try out, and if they work, they’ll swap out my current batch for new ones. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for all the awesome information in this thread. Will continue to keep you posted.
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Thanks Rob-- will try Hypafix if these new three pods I mention don’t work out. Blew through my tegaderm and they don’t seem to be nearly as helpful as the flonaise knock-off.