Infusion site scars?

[Injecto]

When an infusion site scars, what part really scars? Are we talking about just the surface skin layers, or does it possibly scar all the way into the fat tissue (which I don't think can happen, but I'll ask anyway)?

[JediSkipdogg]

It's the layer down to the fat. Basically making the exact spot useless to infuse insulin with. Scar tissue can heal if not extreme enough. The problem is the healing process is alot slower than the causing process.

[Injecto]

What does the scar really "look" like? Or do you only find out about scars when you hit a bad spot? I'm starting to think that pumping can not be a lifelong endeavor.

[JediSkipdogg]

For me when I was leaving sets in for 5 days when I started pumping I never felt anything different. I just noticed it when the site would only last about a day. My guess is because the scar tissue jsut wasn't allowing absortion as well. So I had to change and use by butt for a few weeks and then slowly go back to my absdomen.

[Injecto]

Gotta bring this back up.

I've been searching and searching the net and can not find anything that explains or even verifies that scarring can occur in the fat below the skin. If anyone can find me some links I'd very much appreciate it. I just want to learn exactly what the process is, where the scar develops exactly (around the canula or just at the tip where the insulin drips???) etc...

[JungleJim]

Injecto, keep us posted on what you find out. I am very interested in this info also.

In a related matter: I used silhouettes for my first 2 1/2 years and really like them but after trying some straight-in sets I got to thinking. With the sils going in at an angle, the potential scar would cover more surface area and maybe after time render more area unusable than the straight-in sets. I have been using insets for a couple of months now and like them fine, but I like the sils ability to be set at different depths, and they seem to give me better absorption.

Of course I accept the other possibility: I am thinking entirely too much.

[poper77]

I have found that the sil. do leave more scar tissue than the ones that go in at 90 degrees. I found a little bump near where I had an infusion set (silhouette), I am assuming that it is scar tissue...

[HollyB]

I worry about this too. I want my son to be able to pump for as long as it's the best option for him, but he's limited in the number of good sites he has. Besides finding more possible infusion sites and not leaving sets in past their best before date, are there other strategies to reduce scarring?

[cheryl]

Good question injecto, when i pull my set out it just looks like a mosiquito bit and then heals within two days......I mean i still see the dots for a little bit but can't you inject an inch away from the dots or do i just have more flab then other's lol.....just wondering......

But seriously, or is it because my cannula is only 6mm.....i have no clue....I would like to know for future reference cause i like my middle area and love handles the best, I could use the area around my butt but I can't even think of my legs and arms as of yet too new

Let me know what you find out injecto...

Cheryl

[blue_eyed_devil]

i have about five huge texts books that prove the 'fat' tissue does scar, but they may be a bit hard to show you. the 'fat' tissue is called adipose tissue (or sub cutaneous... just like the injection call) if that helps your search.

it scars in the same way all other body tissue scars... just like when you have surgery or give yourself a deep cut.

[Injecto]

i have about five huge texts books that prove the 'fat' tissue does scar, but they may be a bit hard to show you. the 'fat' tissue is called adipose tissue (or sub cutaneous... just like the injection call) if that helps your search.

it scars in the same way all other body tissue scars... just like when you have surgery or give yourself a deep cut.

Oh, I have no doubt that it scars, I've been told numerous times, by many, but I have yet to find backup independent of that. Plus, I want to learn how it actually scars. I really wish I could see those texts. Perhaps you could post or PM me with the titles/authors? I might be able to find them at a library (or I can go to the medical library at the local Univs.

[Lizzy]

I can't even think of my legs and arms as of yet too new
Cheryl

Hi Cheryl, I was real nervous about using my thighs but now they are my favorite site spots. Especially towards the inner area works great for me. Haven't tried the arms yet!

[Injecto]

I was real nervous about using my thighs but now they are my favorite site spots. Especially towards the inner area works great for me. Haven't tried the arms yet!

For sure, thighs are the best, and inner is even better. I'm going to try the arms sometime soon.

[kgm0612]

Injecto.......the term is called "Lipohypertrophy". I'm trying to dig up more information for you.

Lipo what? (http://www.infusion-set.com/Default.asp?ID=155)

Karen

[Injecto]

Injecto.......the term is called "Lipohypertrophy". I'm trying to dig up more information for you.

Lipo what? (http://www.infusion-set.com/Default.asp?ID=155)

Karen

That's awesome of you for helping me out, very much appreciated.

Interestingly, the article you posted, in the last two sentences, hint that it's more of a concern for MDI than for pump therapy but more studies are needed.

[June91]

I believe inner thigh is a no-no, you don't want to hit the main artery which passes in the area. This is a short version so you don't go and do it NOW. I'm sure someone with more medical knowledge will come along to post the name and exact position of the artery and why it's a bad idea to shoot insulin through it.

[Injecto]

I believe inner thigh is a no-no, you don't want to hit the main artery which passes in the area. This is a short version so you don't go and do it NOW. I'm sure someone with more medical knowledge will come along to post the name and exact position of the artery and why it's a bad idea to shoot insulin through it.


It's called the femoral artery and yes it would be an issue if you were infusing into your groin where it is near the surface, but your inner thigh, where you have plenty of fat (or most of us at least :) ) it is nowhere near the surface, let alone within the 6mm to 9mm range or the skin.

[Injecto]

Injecto.......the term is called "Lipohypertrophy". I'm trying to dig up more information for you.

Lipo what? (http://www.infusion-set.com/Default.asp?ID=155)

Karen

Anymore luck?

[kgm0612]

I'm still searching for something that will answer your question specifically but I keep finding websites that basically say the same thing as what I posted.

Karen

[kgm0612]

Injecto.....here's another site that has a little more info and a couple of pictures of different kinds of tissues.

Lipohypertrophy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipohypertrophy)

[jen_slc]

Oh, I have no doubt that it scars, I've been told numerous times, by many, but I have yet to find backup independent of that. Plus, I want to learn how it actually scars. I really wish I could see those texts. Perhaps you could post or PM me with the titles/authors? I might be able to find them at a library (or I can go to the medical library at the local Univs.

Injecto, are you still wondering about the hows and whys of scar tissue formation? Just like it's been said, the subcutaneous fat does scar. I always thought the lipohypertrophy was supposed to be like a lump coming out from your skin, but can it be those hidden lumps underneath too that you never see? That was my problem.

Anyway, I'm going to browse my textbooks at home and see if they can explain the process, I will let you know. In general, it has to do with the body's inflammatory response to a foreign object (needle/cannula) combined with the fact that you are injecting/infusing a hormone that stimulates fat cells. So it's a combo of scar tissue and increased adipose/fat tissue.

[Injecto]

Injecto, are you still wondering about the hows and whys of scar tissue formation? Just like it's been said, the subcutaneous fat does scar. I always thought the lipohypertrophy was supposed to be like a lump coming out from your skin, but can it be those hidden lumps underneath too that you never see? That was my problem.

Anyway, I'm going to browse my textbooks at home and see if they can explain the process, I will let you know. In general, it has to do with the body's inflammatory response to a foreign object (needle/cannula) combined with the fact that you are injecting/infusing a hormone that stimulates fat cells. So it's a combo of scar tissue and increased adipose/fat tissue.

See, now I'm getting more lost. So, scarring of fat and Lipohypertrophy are two different problems? I ask because most are adament that fat tissue can scar, but according to the links posted on lipohypertrophy, it is not a scar but rather an inflamation of the fat tissue that can be reversed by avoiding the problem area for some time.

[blue_eyed_devil]

injecto,

i'm pretty sure any medial texts avaliable over there will say how tissue scars. i'm not sure you'll find exacty what you're looking for as all scaring in the body happens the same way. it's the the reconnection of tissue after 'seperation'. i think perhaps i don't understand your question.

lipohypertrophy is not simple scarring, it is caused by repeated injection into the same area, as i'm sure you read in the article provided by karen.

my apologies my knowledge is not a useful to you as i would like. perhaps i'm just not good at explaining myself.