[duck]

I'm wondering if insulin is succeptible to being a germ-haven, or would germs generally dislike insulin? In other words, is insulin more like rubbing alcohol or mayonaise to a wee-beastie?

Anyone?

[kgm0612]

Hmmm.........I never gave it a thought, but I'm curious to read what others have to say.

Karen

[Lynne59]

Thats a very good question that I have no idea what to say. I too would like to know the answer

[LancetChick]

They don't like the insulin that comes in a vial because a mild antibiotic has been added. That's why you can re-use syringes without getting cooties.

[Gary_W]

AFAIK, the vast majority of that there liquid that you squirt into yourself is not insulin at all. It's all the artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives (such as the stuff that gives it its reaction profile). Which will be why it smells like hospitals used to. Disinfectant....

[owlyn]

The germs I have spoken to don't seem to care one way or the other. They like the idea of the syringe, though, as it makes for easy entry. BTW, they say all alcohol does is make them angry. It doesn't hurt them a bit, much less kill them.

[duck]

Originally Posted by owlyn

The germs I have spoken to don't seem to care one way or the other. They like the idea of the syringe, though, as it makes for easy entry. BTW, they say all alcohol does is make them angry. It doesn't hurt them a bit, much less kill them.

Alcohol makes me angry too, which is why I stopped drinking. Why couldn't I just be a happy drunk?

Actually, rubbing and ethyl alcohols do a pretty decent job of killing bacteria, but not so great at killing viruses. I forget why, but we did an experiment in microbio back in college and rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol decimated some germ colonies. You HAVE to let it dry, though, to have that effect.

I'm asking about the insulin because last night, changing my insertion set I accidently touched the luer-part of my insertion set before I capped my reservoir...the insulin passes through that part, and though I washed my hands, etc., most of you know how paranoid I am about germs...so far, so good, though.

[jen_slc]

I'd like to see where it says that antibiotics are in insulin, because I'm not sure about that. There are other chemicals in insulin that have antiseptic properties though, e.g. phenol.

With all the chemicals in the solution, it is not a hospitable environment for any bug, so germs (bacteria) are not going to like it. Viruses would not survive because they need a living cell/organism to spread.

I wouldn't worry about it, duck. I use vials and finger them all the time without washing my hands (I know, kinda gross... in general I'm a pretty clean person, you'd think I would take more care with the stuff I inject into my body). I carry both my vials around with me in my little frio pack so I'm constantly pulling them out with my grubby fingers. Honestly, I hardly ever clean the top off with an alcohol pad... unless I drop it in the dirt or something, LOL! And never have I had an infection. Ever.

I think you're ok.

[LancetChick]

Originally Posted by jen_slc

I'd like to see where it says that antibiotics are in insulin, because I'm not sure about that. There are other chemicals in insulin that have antiseptic properties though, e.g. phenol.

That's what I meant by "mild antibiotic", which was the term used by my CDE when I was diagnosed. I certainly didn't mean Zithromax! I just tried to search online for more information, but there's surprisingly little. I did find a site about the production of insulin which says only this: At the end of the manufacturing process ingredients are added to insulin to prevent bacteria and help maintain a neutral balance between acids and bases.
How Insulin Is Made