blisters and bruising infusion site

Kat · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 01:55 PM

ok so I've had a bad morning but the one question I'm wondering about is.....
My tube was cut this morning from something...? So as I was about to leave the house I ran back inside and changed my set...
I took off my site this morning and when I peeled it off there were two small yellow blisters around a circle and in the center there is that small read dot from the cannula but that area is bruised. I talked to my doc about it but there is no oozing or warmness so she said that it should get better but if any of that starts then to call her.
I was just wondering if anyone else has had this reaction and what it might mean????????This has never happened to me before!
Help! This scares me

notme · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 02:12 PM

It may be the start of an infection Kat. Try using neosporin on the site. We all have bacteria on our skin, it just may be you found the perfect spot for infection to start.

If it gets sore at all or oozing, I would call your doc for a round of antibiotics.

Jan B · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 02:29 PM

Kat,

I used to get bruising before using IV3000. Now I put the IV3000 on before inserting the cannula through it, and I no longer bruise.

Or do you already do this?

Kat · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 04:07 PM

I am already on antibiotics to prevent infection because I got an IUD today (and maaajor cramping is not fun!thankfully I feel better at the moment, a little. It's been a CRAZY day) so hopefully that will help it not get infected, though I dont' know if antibiotics work like that and help other parts of your body in general..? Anyways, I use the IV prep before I insert the cannula but not the film kind if that's what you're talking about Jan B.
But to keep you updated, it's looking better even now from this morning, so I'm gonna take that as a good sign!
Thank you guys for your input though, it makes me feel alot better and less stressed when i hear stuff from real people right away, if you know what I mean.
Well huggles!

Jan B · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat

I am already on antibiotics to prevent infection because I got an IUD today (and maaajor cramping is not fun!thankfully I feel better at the moment, a little. It's been a CRAZY day) so hopefully that will help it not get infected, though I dont' know if antibiotics work like that and help other parts of your body in general..? Anyways, I use the IV prep before I insert the cannula but not the film kind if that's what you're talking about Jan B.
But to keep you updated, it's looking better even now from this morning, so I'm gonna take that as a good sign!
Thank you guys for your input though, it makes me feel alot better and less stressed when i hear stuff from real people right away, if you know what I mean.
Well huggles!

Kat - I'm glad you are a bit better now. I remember about 26 years ago when I got an IUD -- the cramping should go away -- try to relax, or even use a heating pad.

I don't know why, but that IV3000 film really keeps me from bruising. I know what you mean about hearing back fast & huggles back to you!

SGT Shoutmore · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 12:42 AM

Just a thought, I am one of those persons that are prone to infection, that being said, I do NOT just rely on alcohol wipes alone, I first use betadine wipes, then alcohol. I use only ONE pass by with each wipe to prevent recontamination of the site prior to puncture.

Now blisters due to an infustion set is something I have not experienced and you are the first I have read stating so, not that this is uncommon, I just don't know too many people IRL that are on the pump. The above method I use for infection prevention I imparted to you in the event that you do not use the same method and it might be of help. Of course, many would consider my methods overkill, but I was hospitalized from an infection just a few months ago and it was an experience I can truly live without.

Best of luck to you.

Edited to add: I use silhouettes for my anterior locations and sure T's for the posterior locations, when using Sure T's, I use a tegaderm strip over the infusion site, not just to add support and anchorage, but due to a metal needle, metal being porous, I create a barrier against bacteria fo rmy own good health.

notme · #7 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 07:12 AM

I also lay down a film of IV3000 and inject the canulla through it. I have found that my skin heals quicker and I don't get that lump around the canulla when I use it.

Kat · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 04:13 PM

Well those all sound like good ideas. Maybe I should try out the film...=/ I just seem like it would be annoying to have this big clear film on, I'm pretty small and it seems it would get annoying...?
BUT if it helps then why not right! Better than a huge infection. =D
Thanks guys!

notme · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 04:15 PM

I cut out a nickel sized piece of IV300 and place it under the cannula. You can't see it because it is under the cannula tape.

SGT Shoutmore · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat

Well those all sound like good ideas. Maybe I should try out the film...=/ I just seem like it would be annoying to have this big clear film on, I'm pretty small and it seems it would get annoying...?
BUT if it helps then why not right! Better than a huge infection. =D
Thanks guys!

I understand your thoughts on the tegaderm strip (and other similar stuff) and as "NotMe" suggested, you can ALWAYS cut the strip to the size you wish! There is always a way around things, versatility prevails!

Kat · #11 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 10:29 PM

Ok well I'm going to try that, because my site still looks icky =/ and I'm still nervous that it's not going away. It still has blisters and they are kinda pink and the middle is still kinda bruised....ahh I feel really nervous and worried. I don't want it to get infected. I put ointment on it buuuut.....well I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
Cuz it won't heal as fast as a non-diabetic right?

Subby · #12 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat

BUT if it helps then why not right! Better than a huge infection. =D

That's it in a nutshell! And you will probably find you don't even notice it after you get used to it (and it's really not much to get used to, I found). I don't, if anything I appreciate the extra secureness of having my set held on more tightly.

Certainly worth a go.

Kat · #13 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:52 AM

So NOW I think i have an infection from my IUD AND I just changed my site and this time this one is kinda itchy and has a little bump under my skin where it was!!!!
EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG!!!
my last site healed finally and is better but all this other stuff is hapening and i feel like everything is against me!!!!

wastcougr · #14 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 10:37 AM

Kat,

Take a deep breath and count to 10...or 1000 or whatever number you need to de-stress a little. Stress can only make your situation worse, and trust me, it can ALWAYS be worse, even if you can't imagine it happening.

Anyway, I get the little bump under my skin where the cannula was, too. It goes away in a day or so for me. Remember that skin (especially sensitive skin) is going to have an issue when it can't breathe and when it's got a foreign THING in it that isn't supposed to be there, especially for 3 whole days. It's going to take some time for it to "de-anger" itself. My last site looked so angry it would have been vibrating with rage if it had been a human, but even that is turning back into normal and it's only been since Monday morning. So, give your body a chance to heal... I know how it seems like everything is against you; I can't count how many times I've felt that way, but you've got to remember that time is the greatest healer and when this is all over, you'll forget how long it took and how it made you feel.

Chin up! And tell us how it's going!

Kat · #15 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 08:17 AM

Thank you all for your help, here is a nother one!
The other night when I laid down on my side on my site it stung under my skin REALLY badly for a couple minuts, I men i sat up in bed holding my side saying ow ow ow ow for a while. Then it did it again this morning so I got up and switched to my other hip(which now I'm afraid to lie on) but this old site stings right now SOOOOOOOO badly it's like a strong sting pain under my skin and i don't know how to stop it.
I know I need to calm down and de-stress but I'm stressed about so many things right now, one of them being that I feel like a bad diabetic. Since starting the pump i eat way more carbs than i used to and I still need to do my basal testing but keep ...not doing it. My main thing is that I need to excersize every day but I just can't seem to make myself get out and DO it. I go through swings of weeks where I will every day and then I stop...I don't mean to but life gets me cought up in it. I know I can do better but it's just so hard. Plus I'm nervous there are a couple other things ,un related to diabetes, wrong with me. And I'm nervous about school starting because I have to take a speech class and I really don't like speaking in front of people. And I need a job.....GOSH!!!! Sorry for going on like this but GOOOOOOOOOOOAHHHHHSHHHSHHH!!!!!
My site stings so badly...so nervous and worried about all of this!!!!!
I need my mommy =(