A cannula is a cannula, right?

[RLK]

They're all made of Teflon, right? So why does a Silhouette itch, but a Quick-Set doesn't? Surely the angle of insertion doesn't make that much of a difference?!?

I can't wait to rip this set out...but at least it works!

[camjen1]

I have itch with both but I did notice more with the Sil. I'm like you and I couldn't wait to rip it out. Once I did take it out I never inserted one again.

[RLK]

Unfortunately, I have way too many kinked sets with the Quick sets (even the short ones!). So it's 13mm Sils for now, but I may resort to Sure-Ts. :banghead:

[camjen1]

Now I have tried Sure T's also and I had a lot of burning when it came time to bend or sit in a chair. I tried it more then once to see if the burning accured in other areas and it did. I did however like the Sure T's because of where you disconnect at. Wish the Quick Sets had a disconnect feature that wasn't directly on the infusion site.

Just can't win can we!! :D

[JediSkipdogg]

I have few thoughts to this...

One, most itching is actually a result of the tape. So it may be that a different/stronger glue is used on one vs. the other. It could even be different makers so totally different tapes are used.

Two, the way the set moves. Even though it's taped on, the set will move in and out a tad. Maybe an angled set moves differently than a 90 degree set in and out causing the "friction" to make an itching on the outside of the skin.

Just some thoughts.

[RLK]

I have few thoughts to this...

One, most itching is actually a result of the tape. So it may be that a different/stronger glue is used on one vs. the other. It could even be different makers so totally different tapes are used.

Two, the way the set moves. Even though it's taped on, the set will move in and out a tad. Maybe an angled set moves differently than a 90 degree set in and out causing the "friction" to make an itching on the outside of the skin.

Just some thoughts.

It's definitely not the tape, as I have no inflammation under the tape, only where the cannula pierces the skin. You might be onto something with the movement though. The Sils seem to move more because of the way they're taped. That little clear window doesn't do much to stabilize the cannula where it enters the skin. Any ideas? Tegaderm under the set?

[RLK]

I tried taping the Silhouette hub and cannula, and that made a big difference, but I still had some itching beneath the skin. What on Earth?!? Even my nurse practitioner was baffled.

It suddenly dawned on me what the difference is in cannulas between the Quick-sets and the Silhouettes: the needle guard directly touches the cannula on the Silhouette, but not on the Quick-set! My theory is that they apply some kind of lubricant between the guard and cannula to make it easier to install and remove, and that's what I'm allergic to.

I did a set change yesterday, and gently cleaned the cannula with a sterile alcohol wipe before inserting it. I had a little initial discomfort after the insertion, but it's almost 24 hours later and everything feels great (knock on wood!)! Usually, by now, the itching and redness has begun.

I'm posting this because I hope that it helps someone else avoid the frustration that I've gone through. But clean those cannulas at your own risk- they seem pretty delicate.