Infusion sets in the summertime

dixiepixie64 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 11:39 AM

I started pumping in the dead of winter so this is my first summer of pumping. Since the temperatures got warmer I have to say my infusion sets are driving me nuts. The sites itch like crazy the whole three days! It is like I have poison ivy and I have almost clawed a few of them off during the night. ****. At first I thought it was just a bad set, but this has been going on for about a month now and my BGs are great. Maybe it is those IV preps although they never bothered me before now.

Does anyone else have this problem?

duck · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 11:49 AM

Yup.

At least I used to. I don't itch anymore (KNOCK ON WOOD NOW, duck), but if I am inserted in my stomach, the sweat will eventually work the dressing off of me...Until this weekend.

I bought some "Skin Prep", not "IV Prep" off of eBay based on Dave's and a few other pumper's recommendations, and used it instead of my IV Prep Sunday morning...Then I did yard work sunday and monday, and typically the dressing would be trashed and worthless, but mine was in nice and tight all weekend long (this is nothing short of a miracle).

The itching comes from sweat under the dressing that has no where to go...MiniMed's site suggested that you prep the area with anti-perspirant spray--I've never tried that, but I can't reason to myself how that would be unsafe.

archimeech · #3 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 12:12 PM

I don't use the IV prep at all. I actually use this stuff called Mastisol. I get it at CVS Pharmacy, it's $43 for a 2oz. bottle and lasts about 1-1/2 yrs. It's a skin adhesive and works really well. hope this helps.

duck · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archimeech

I don't use the IV prep at all. I actually use this stuff called Mastisol. I get it at CVS Pharmacy, it's $43 for a 2oz. bottle and lasts about 1-1/2 yrs. It's a skin adhesive and works really well. hope this helps.

Is it sterile/anti-biotic/anti-viral?

dixiepixie64 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 12:50 PM

Yeah, I remember the discussion we had about IV3000s when you mentioned the mastisol. I have seen it and because it is expensive, I hesitated because the IV preps keep my sites stuck on through everything and the itching just started up after the temperatures rose.

Maybe I will try the antiperspirant spray first. It gives me the creeps to think about but maybe it is bacterial irritation from sweating. ugh. The things we have to put up with!

archimeech · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duck

Is it sterile/anti-biotic/anti-viral?

It's a pharmaceutical grade skin adhesive used at many hospitals to adhere dressings to the skin surround a wound.

ricardo · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixiepixie64

I started pumping in the dead of winter so this is my first summer of pumping. Since the temperatures got warmer I have to say my infusion sets are driving me nuts. The sites itch like crazy the whole three days! It is like I have poison ivy and I have almost clawed a few of them off during the night. ****. At first I thought it was just a bad set, but this has been going on for about a month now and my BGs are great. Maybe it is those IV preps although they never bothered me before now.

Does anyone else have this problem?

Try S&N's Skin Prep (different than IV Prep by the same co.). If THAT doesn't float your boat, try putting IV3000 down BEFORE installing your set. If that doesn't work, I don't know if you'll ever be able to avoid the "itchies". I haven't had that problem with either soft sets or quick sets. what type are you using? I can't stand the bent needle type.

Ricardo

bel4_20 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

I actually use this stuff called Mastisol. I get it at CVS Pharmacy, it's $43 for a 2oz. bottle and lasts about 1-1/2 yrs. It's a skin adhesive and works really well. hope this helps.

So do you just use it like "IV Prep" wipe it on and insert the infusion set right on top?. What do you use to remove it?

dixiepixie64 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricardo

I haven't had that problem with either soft sets or quick sets. what type are you using?

I am using the 9mm quick sets. I went home yesterday and was going to try the antiperspirant spray but then I thought how is that going to work when I wipe the whole area down afterwards with IV prep to make it sticky? won't the sets just fall off? So I did not try the antiperspirant. Instead I stuck my new set on my upper leg and the itching has stopped.

Whew. Thank goodness. Maybe I will just have to avoid my stomach and back for the summer months.

ricardo · #10 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixiepixie64

I went home yesterday and was going to try the antiperspirant spray but then I thought how is that going to work when I wipe the whole area down afterwards with IV prep to make it sticky? won't the sets just fall off? So I did not try the antiperspirant. Instead I stuck my new set on my upper leg and the itching has stopped.

Switch to Skin Prep; much more sticky than IV Prep. I tried antiperspirant; it was useless. YMMV.
Ricardo

duck · #11 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricardo

Switch to Skin Prep; much more sticky than IV Prep. I tried antiperspirant; it was useless. YMMV.
Ricardo

Dave, I got a box of SkinPrep off of eBay (I know, I know, it was just easier) and it seems to be working well enough for me as reported earlier...But: Do you find that it is less "liquid" than the IV Prep? It seems I get *just* enough for one prep, and that it is almost dry by the time I am ready to insert my set...It is the weirdest thing. Also, I have noticed that with the IV Prep, when I open one, liquid comes out and I need to be careful...SKINPrep seems almost dry to the touch; I guess I am wondering if I got a bad batch or something?

duck · #12 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archimeech

I don't use the IV prep at all. I actually use this stuff called Mastisol. I get it at CVS Pharmacy, it's $43 for a 2oz. bottle and lasts about 1-1/2 yrs. It's a skin adhesive and works really well. hope this helps.

Dude. Google "mastisol"...You'll find it mucho cheaper.

ricardo · #13 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duck

Dave, I got a box of SkinPrep off of eBay (I know, I know, it was just easier) and it seems to be working well enough for me as reported earlier...But: Do you find that it is less "liquid" than the IV Prep? It seems I get *just* enough for one prep, and that it is almost dry by the time I am ready to insert my set...It is the weirdest thing. Also, I have noticed that with the IV Prep, when I open one, liquid comes out and I need to be careful...SKINPrep seems almost dry to the touch; I guess I am wondering if I got a bad batch or something?

It's SUPPOSED to dry!!

duck · #14 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 06:48 PM

Yeah, maybe I'm just used to the IV Prep. I can't complain so far about the performance of Skin Prep...Now let me find a sauna, LOL.

ricardo · #15 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duck

Yeah, maybe I'm just used to the IV Prep. I can't complain so far about the performance of Skin Prep...Now let me find a sauna, LOL.

One more thing. When I want to get the maximum benefit from Skin Prep, expecting adverse conditions (heat and moisture), I try to place the set when the Skin Prep is SLIGHTLY tacky instead of completely dry. It takes only a few moments to go from too wet to dry, so you have to get familar with it in order to find that "sweet spot" moment.