Insulin leakage | Needle blocking | Redness | Bruises and fatty seals | Bruises after insulin | Fat seals
Leaking insulin during injection or blocking the needle is a fairly common problem. The occurrence of such situations leads to the fact that the patient receives a lower dose of the drug than necessary. Why are there such side effects and what to do to avoid the problem?
We already talked about pain during injections and what to do to reduce the manifestation of this unpleasant sensation. Read the article: Side effects with injections. Part 1: Pain
Today we discuss situations that are common but tied to the most basic rules taught in diabetes school.
Insulin leakage
Many have encountered a problem when a drop of insulin flows out after stretching the needle. A large drop can contain up to one unit of insulin (100 units / ml). Statistics show that in such situations, the patient can receive up to 18-20% percent (the study was conducted among children, the calculation of the dose of 11 units) of the necessary. But this is very rare. Typically, losses are not more than 1%.
If the problem is relevant to you, you can reduce the risk of outflow. When injecting, lift the skin and insert the needle at an angle of 45. Also try injecting insulin more slowly and do not immediately remove the needle. Support fifteen seconds and slowly remove.
If a small drop remained on the needle, you should not worry. Losses in this case will be negligible.
The Dutch believe that large doses of insulin should be divided into 2 injections in order to avoid a backflow of insulin.
Needle blocking
Most often, the needle blocks when insulin crystals form inside. This often happens in those who change the needle less than recommended. With multiple reuses, the likelihood of blocking the needle increases.
There are times when the needle is blocked on a new needle. Most often this happens with a slow injection. In such situations, it is advised to administer insulin over a period of 5 seconds.
Redness
It happens that injections are accompanied by redness and itching. Sometimes this happens a few hours after the introduction of inulin. After several years of insulin therapy, this effect usually does not occur. But what causes the appearance of antibodies and how to get rid of the problem?
If you notice an allergic reaction to insulin, you should immediately consult a doctor. The reaction can occur both on preservatives and on insulin itself. There is a special skin test that allows you to identify a tendency to allergies to the drug.
If you are allergic for the first time, carefully examine the vial of insulin, try next time to use a new one. It is necessary to exclude the cause of the expired drug: if it deteriorates (the shelf life has passed, due to improper storage, etc.), harmful substances could form in it, which caused the reaction. By the way, if the problems are with insulin, most likely it will also not work and the level of glycemia will increase.
If you notice an allergic reaction to insulin, you should immediately consult a doctor!
Nickel allergy used in pen syringes can also cause redness. When using the needle for the first time, there should be no problem, as they are coated with a layer of silicone grease. Therefore, the reaction manifests itself in subsequent applications of the same needle. If this is the case, use the needle only once.
The decision on actions for an allergic reaction is made by the attending endocrinologist. If redness problems persist, antihistamines may be prescribed. Dr. Ragnar Hanas writes that adding a small amount of cortisone can help. Switching to another type of insulin also does not always solve the problem. If the patient is on the pump, then the method of reducing the speed of insulin delivery at a time is used to form tolerance to the drug. Whatever method is best, the final decision can only be made by a doctor. You should not look for a way out yourself by trial and error.
Bruises and fatty seals
Under the influence of insulin, fatty seals may occur. This is a fairly common problem. Also, insulin injections may be accompanied by bruising. How to avoid these problems and what to do when they occur?
Bruises after insulin
This problem is simpler than the formation of insulin cones. This happens if, during a puncture, a blood vessel in the subcutaneous fat was affected. This is unpleasant, but not scary. The subcutaneous blood vessels are very small, so it is impossible to inject them. Their damage and hemorrhage will feel like a small bubble under the skin. Such bruises completely resolve after a while.
Fat seals
Lipohypertrophy or hypertrophic lipodystrophy occurs under the influence of insulin, which stimulates the growth of adipose tissue. It is difficult to get rid of insulin cones because they contain fibrous (connective) and adipose tissue.
To avoid the occurrence of such a problem, try not to use the same needle for insulin administration, often change the injection site and observe the distance between injections. You can develop an injection rotation map and stick to it. Also, an excellent tool is the use of an injection port I-port, which is installed for 3 days, i.e. during this time, instead of many, you make only one puncture.
Children try to give injections to places where there is less pain. It is necessary to explain to the child why it is necessary to change the place of administration of insulin. The child can independently give an injection in the leg, abdomen or arm, help with injections in hard to reach places (for example, in the buttocks).
Do not use a place with lipodystrophy for injection. Firstly, insulin will be worse absorbed, which will lead to problems in compensation. Secondly, the longer the insulin acts on fat cells, the worse the problem will get worse.