little spots...

birds_eye · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2005, 11:03 PM

Hi everyone, I want to know if anyone can help... I'm a 24 yr old guy using Humalog and Lantus, been type 1 for 9 years now, and have an Hba1c = 6.5.

Now this may sound a little gross, and I know I don't know you all to well, but I really would like some clarification...I've got these little red spots on both my thighs, like small pimples, mostly red though, and they vary in size, and are sometimes very painful. Nowhere else on my body, just my thighs. Now I initially thaught maybe they were sores from the injections, but I only inject once a day at night in my leg, when I use my Lantus, and there are waaaay more spots than injection sites, that for sure.

Does anyone else experience anything like this? or know why I have them, what they are, and how I can treat them?

Thanks for your help, and this this awesome forum, it's really great.

birds_eye

Middle Aged Man · #2 (**permalink**) 07-14-2005, 11:22 PM

I don't know how long you've had them, but it sounds like an allergic reaction. Antihistamine like Benadryl might be something good to try to see if they go away. It may make you drowsy, though.

klpants · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 03:16 AM

I'm also on Lantus and have sometimes had itchy injection spots on my legs specificlally. I'm the same I only inject once in my leg a day. I have heard that Lantus can cause irritation like itichiness and stinging, could be the Lantus?? But as you say why are there spots were you haven't injected?? are oyu scrathing or rubbing the spots, you may have caused irritation on you legs and thi shas speread.

BTW, this isn't gross!!, plus I think being diabetic we ALWAYS come across gross stuff more than others, I'm sure you've had people say when injecting "ohhh that's sooo gross"!! it's like "yeah but I want to live!!"

WhyNotSmile? · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:18 PM

You should see dermatologist. It seems to be some problem with skin, not with insulin reaction. Only thing that could happen with insulin is reaction with your underskin tissue which does not come in shape of red spots or something like that

HeatherP · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:26 PM

Hmmm....do the red spots seem to be filled with liquid? Sort of like boils?

WhyNotSmile? · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:31 PM

hm.. My English is not great, but I don't think so. He said it is like "pimples". Filled with boil is like chicken pox on the skin. If it is, maybe it is some virus caused skin desease.

HeatherP · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:39 PM

I was thinking along the lines of Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) as a symptom of Celiac Disease. Best to see the doc, either way.

WhyNotSmile? · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:42 PM

yes, just like I said..virus caused. Dermatitis herpetiformis is cause with virus Herpes.

We are good team HeatherP

birds_eye · #9 (**permalink**) 07-16-2005, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Hmmm....do the red spots seem to be filled with liquid? Sort of like boils?

yes exactly. most are just red spots, but some are like boils. and it's very itchy. I've just never actually thaught of going to see a doctor about it, because I thaught it was "normal".

anyways, thanks for all your comments and thaughts, I really appreciate it!

HeatherP · #10 (**permalink**) 07-16-2005, 10:10 AM

It's definitely not normal - you should see your doc, and ask to see a dermatologist. There's one condition, related to Diabetes...Diabetic Necrobiosis article I can't vouch for this site, it looks legit but make sure you do some of your own research. There's probably even an association for this condition.

Or it could be DH, which would be a symptom of Celiac disease. The term "herpetiformis" means that the lesions resemble herpes lesions. DH.org

When you go to the derm doc, ask specifically about these conditions and make sure he does a biopsy. It's also possible that what you have has nothing to do w/Diabetes, so don't allow the doc's to blow off your concerns by blaming it on diabetes and dismissing it.

I hope you're able to secure a dx and get some relief soon! Please keep us posted!

KickStart101 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-17-2005, 04:23 AM

Well, I haven't had much experience with this subject but if they
look like pimples...they may very well be pimples or acne. DH is possible
or yeast infection(yes it's common with Diabetics and can happen on the
outside skin, although if there, it would usually be an area where ya sweat). My Sis had it under the bra strap, the itch drove her nuts.

Someone mentioned chicken pox, that could be. Any allergy, maybe but not likely that it's from your Insulin. I'm pretty certain that it's not NLD(Necrobiosis...) since I've had that on my left ankle since I was 20 yrs. old. It just started out as a flat, dry, red spot a bit smaller than the size of a dime. It has never itched or hurt. One of my friends had boils last year(and No, I did not want to look at them). Boils sound bigger than little pimples. As WHY NOT SMILE? suggested see a Dermatologist as soon as you can and try not to touch it if possible(I know it can be hard)so not to spread it as someone else mentioned. Good advice. Keep us posted on what the Doc says. Thanks.