Insulin Allergy - Hives?

depaul · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 06:50 AM

In February I noticed Lilly had new packaging for their Humalog and Lantus insulin. Once I started dosing from this new order I developed a small case of hives. The hives are intermitant but I have recently starting having more severe cases. I don't know if the hives are related to the insulin or something I am eating. Has anyone else developed hives from dosing with Lilly insulin?

Jan B · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 07:12 AM

Welcome depaul,

Are these hives at your injection sites, or elsewhere?

From what little I know about insulin allergies, I'm guessing if they are at the injection sites, it is likely to be an allergic reaction to the insulin.

Subby · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 07:28 AM

I'm pretty sure Lantus is made by Aventis, not Lilly (unless the two companies are one and the same, I don't know). I don't really know if that's got much relevance, except to focus more on finding out which might be the culprit (if either) rather than concentrate on the brand.

Following on from Jan's points, do you inject your Humalog and Lantus in different areas of the body? Are the hives more connected to one insulin or area, or the other? If it is insulin causing this, one would hope it is one and not the other, and finding out which one would be a good step.

depaul · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 07:29 AM

The hives appear mostly on my stomach (not at the injection sites) on my thigh some times, on my arm some times and once on my back. 5 to 15 whelps the size of a pencil eraser. I'm pretty sure the hives are a sypmtom of increased histamines. Why I have elevated histamine levels is the question. I never had them before this latest order of insulin arrived. Maybe a coincidence. I have stopped drinking diet drinks while I read there is a common allergic reaction to the active ingrediant phenalalynine.

Subby · #5 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 07:33 AM

Hmm, I do know of people getting extreme reactions to insulin and developing hives elsewhere, but I'm pretty sure the sites are the first to have a problem. I'm thinking it might be a coincidence. But that's just casual knowledge of course, not medical advice. I'd take it to the doctor, either way.

e||ement · #6 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 07:51 AM

i use humalog and once in a while get a hive at the injection site on my stomach. it only started about 3 weeks ago, and is sporadic, not every time i inject. i've had it happen maybe 3 or 4 times. i'm going to mention it to my doc/endo next time i'm there...

AngelKitty · #7 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depaul

The hives are intermitant but I have recently starting having more severe cases. I don't know if the hives are related to the insulin or something I am eating.

Hi there,
Sorry to hear of your plight!
I would suggest you get a referral to see an Immunologist so that they can pin-point the source of your allergy.
In the meantime I would further suggest you keep a food diary, if it is something you are eating /drinking you may see a pattern yourself.
Also, have you been wearing any new clothes / new bed linen / towels or have you recently changed laundry detergents?

If your allergy is getting worse please see your doctor as soon as possible and keep us posted of your progress.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Nita · #8 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 03:49 PM

I could not take Lantus as it caused an allergic reaction all over my face. They switched me to Levemir and it cleared. It was rather dramatic and very noticable.

No hives on any other part of my body though.

Nita

mazea · #9 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 05:12 PM

I had a hives reaction all over my stomach and arms when I first started taking Lantus. The staff were a bit concerned about it. Then I got inflammatory neuropathy. The hives then went away. Perhaps keep an eye out for secondary problems too. I changed to Levemir.

beau91 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 08:05 PM

Sometimes i get hives at the injection point .not all the time only with The Humalin N not with the Humalog .Bye Ricky

Shining · #11 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 02:45 AM

I am a registered nurse with a documented anaphylactic allergy to human insulin. I was diagnosed Oct 1, '09. My HgA1C is currently 12.1. My doctor has been very slow to get this under control with oral medications, and I am losing weight rapidly and sometimes have blurred vision. Basically, I am scared!

The Endocrinologist in my area is booked for over a month in advance. I was just put on steroids for a herniated c-spine, and my sugars top 400 daily. I am constantly hungry! No one seems to care. I am terrified I might go into the hospital and be accidentally given insulin. Any ideas what I can do?

dbaratta · #12 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depaul

In February I noticed Lilly had new packaging for their Humalog and Lantus insulin. Once I started dosing from this new order I developed a small case of hives. The hives are intermitant but I have recently starting having more severe cases. I don't know if the hives are related to the insulin or something I am eating. Has anyone else developed hives from dosing with Lilly insulin?

I have many many allergies and one of those is to a type of needle. You could be allergic to the packaging as much as the durg itself. In any case you have to find out because allergies can be progressive and the worse they get the more risk to your health.

sarahspins · #13 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 10:45 AM

Also, if you have a LATEX allergy, last I knew, All Lilly insulins still used latex stoppers on their vials... Aventis and Novo do not.