Itchy infusion site

drummingfool · #1 (**permalink**) 06-13-2009, 03:06 PM

Is there anything I can do to relieve this?
Its driving me a little nuts.
Its like right at the canula.
Im about ready to switch the set just to scratch the spot, lol.

xMenace · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2009, 04:45 PM

Some put a layer down first like Tegaderm or IV3000. You can also try Friar's Balsam found at drug stores. I use IV Prep first. Never get itching.

Coppernob · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2009, 05:02 PM

I agree with John - use the IV3000 or equivalent as a protective layer, then insert the set. When I used the sof-sets, I had the same problem as you, and making a sandwich of IV3000, sof-set, IV3000, eliminated it. I agree - the itching nearly drove me up the wall! Now that I use quick-sets, I no longer need a protective layer. Good luck with it all, and welcome to pumphood!

notme · #4 (**permalink**) 06-13-2009, 06:12 PM

YEP! Mine get itchy too if I don't use a barrier piece of IV3000. If you want a few to try out, I can send you some to see if it helps. I have a ton. What I do is cut out a small circle from the larger patches. They last forever that way and I don't have a big giant square of IV3000 under my little tiny set.

Put the IV3000 down and punch your set right through it.

Mindstorm · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 01:24 AM

I get this from time to time, and with each infusion site I use IV Prep and Skin-Tac adhesive. Usually this only happens when the sites are in for a very long time, and usually the site bleeds more than usual or is redder than usual when the infusion set is removed (from an area where it was itching).

Use IV Prep if you don't already and make an effort to keep your infusion site areas clean and keep any hair in the area trimmed short as often as possible. I usually remove an infusion site, remove old adhesive with an alcohol wipe (as uni-solve makes it sort of gelatinous but doesn't remove it, and the alcohol wipe will sterilize it and remove the gel), hop in the shower (making sure to use a body wash to clean off any dirt/junk that might be on my skin which could lead to an infected/irritated site), then afterward I use IV Prep, Skin-Tac and pop in the site. This system has proven very effective at eliminating problems with irritated sites, though sometimes it is just unavoidable.

Subby · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 02:32 AM

What set are you using, drummingfool? And, where?

shabbie · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 02:49 AM

i agree with what everyone else has said so far.

tegaderm did it for me. it had something to do with the cannula jiggling about in the site and casing it to become sore just at the entrance.
the tegaderm helped to give it a firm anchor, also it stopped my skin getting sore form the cannula patches, i started to look like an octopus had attacked me!!!

poodlebone · #8 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 10:09 AM

I find certain parts of my body are more sensitive than others. MY upper abdomen/sides will itch every time. Lower abdomen, arms, back area will not. It's worse in the summer with all the heat and humidity. I try to avoid my upper abdomen in the summer but it's prime real estate for sets & sensors so I just try to deal with it. TPutting something down first didn't help me (those just itched me more!) and I do use IV Prep wipes every time.

drummingfool · #9 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 11:11 AM

I'm using the quicksets. I've got some sils, but Im not quite sure about using them yet. This being my first set, it was on the right side of my stomach, right next to the belly button.

I changed out the set yesterday afternoon. When I took it out, the area was a little sore and red. Feeling around revealed a lump under the skin. I bet thats why I was becoming so uncomfortable. This is an area where I was prone to taking shots, and I lumped because the tissue has hardened in that area.

I now have the set still on my right side but more toward the love handle area. Its been in for a day with no discomfort. I think the trick will be to stay away from previous injection sites for awhile.

palefacegirl03 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummingfool

I'm using the quicksets. I've got some sils, but Im not quite sure about using them yet. This being my first set, it was on the right side of my stomach, right next to the belly button.

I changed out the set yesterday afternoon. When I took it out, the area was a little sore and red. Feeling around revealed a lump under the skin. I bet thats why I was becoming so uncomfortable. This is an area where I was prone to taking shots, and I lumped because the tissue has hardened in that area.

I now have the set still on my right side but more toward the love handle area. Its been in for a day with no discomfort. I think the trick will be to stay away from previous injection sites for awhile.

Yes, old shot areas can be a problem. You can try the Tegarem under the sites, just shoot thru it. The Sils look intemadating, I insert them by hand and they dont hurt like they look like they would.
I might have a Sil serter somewhere around here, I will look ,when I fell better, today I am battling HI on the meter sugars and keytones, 3 set changes and 2 shots , new bottle of insulin is up next
after that the ER! **** I really dont want to go there.

Mindstorm · #11 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 08:00 PM

It was your first infusion site? New to pumping, then?

Keep away from your bellybutton. Keep away from where you used to inject insulin as well as you have likely developed some excess fatty tissue there (and the skin will be tougher and insulin injected in the area will seem less effective). Move farther out onto the side of your abdomen, farther away from your stomach. Consider other infusion site areas like your back, bum, or legs (I can't do any of those because I'm pretty lean and the cannula will stab me periodically and hurt quite a bit).