Hey everyone I joined a while ago and just have been super busy. I use to be on the omni pod and had horrible skin irritation. I tried everything been to lots of different doctors and I was basically labeled as a "medical mystery" This however did not help the problem. I have taken antibiotics for infections the pump or my scratching gave me, I have used every different skin prep and also not used a skin prep I have tried tegaderm and same problem, red terribly itchy skin. I have even gone back to injections. I just have WAY better control of my type 1 diabetes with a pump. I finally just decided to try a new pump. My diabetes educator/ nurse practitioner gave me two choice Ping or medtronic pump. I am right now wearing the Ping (animas) pump it is super different with the tubing but I like it. I however changed my site yesterday and have a red irritated spot which today almost feels like little knives pricking my skin where the site was before. This is NOT good. On the new spot after my shower this morning I saw raised bumps all around my site on my stomach. I am terrified that if there is nothing I can do I will have to just use injections. I was hoping to see if ANYone had any ideas or if they had this same problem what they might have done to fix it. I also use Humalog in my pump and actually will be asking my doctors if switching insulin might be a different change I can try. For almost 3 1/2 years I had the omni pod with NO problems. Its only been within the last 1 1/2-2 years that it has torn my backs skin up horrible and yes any where else I put it. I would LOVE to hear any suggestions anyone might have! Thanks!
Your skin reactions sound worse than mine, but I get red welts that take a long time to go away. The thing that has worked best for me is to put spray-on benadryl on the site and let it dry before applying the pod. I put cortisone cream around the adhesive about once a day while I have the pod on. It helps - somtime more, sometimes less.
I've heard that using Tegaderm patches in-between the Omnipod and your skin might work. http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com/product/3m-tegaderm-transparent-dressing-1624w-box-of-100_1991.htm I just started my Omnipod, so haven't tried this yet.
I’m really sensitive to many adhesives, but lucky that ReliaMed’s wipes seem to provide enough of a barrier most of the time. It’s a miserable irritation for sure. I’d love to know the chemical responsible.
I had terrible itching and my endo gave me these and they work great - no more itching. Just swab the area you are going to put the pod on and let it dry.
ReliaMed® Protective Barrier Wipes
Protects skin from dressing tape and damage caused by frequent removal of wafers and other adhesives.
Non-irritating to intact skin; latex-free.
Hi Laurian ! Just a suggestion if you haven't tried this product before. It is an adhesive product designed for use w/ostomy adhesive. ( This is a device used after colon rectal surgery that has some very heavy duty adhesive and unlike us -they cannot change the sight of where the adhesive must attach) Sween Cream is a little pricey but well worth it. It is a cream in a tube thatis designed to be placedon skin after cleansing with alcohol and placed onthe area where pump is to be attached. It will NOT effect the adhesive adhesion.
Great stuff. This is what it is made for. Littlemomand popsurgicalsupply drug stores carry it . Highly recommed it hope it helps!