
June 12, 2001
Insulin Pumps
Question from the Netherlands:
My 13 year old has diabetes and started on a pump about two months ago. At the moment, we are struggling with taping the needles. All the tapes we are using at home as well in the hospital are not sticking. Have you heard about this problem? Do you know the solution?
Answer:
He may be getting sweaty which will cause the adhesive to loosen on the infusion set. First, make sure that the skin has been cleaned with something like Op-site which gets rid of the topical fat cells. Secondly, you can use a sports adhesive or Nu-Skin under the tape portion of the >infusion set to help it stick better. Also, see: Products Available to help keep the infusion set on our skin at the Insulin Pumpers web site.
These suggestions usually work. I hope they do for your son.
SS
Additional comments from Lois Schmidt Finney, diabetes dietitian:
Please try Skin Tac-it seems to work very well. Be sure that the skin is dry before you insert the infusion set and adhesive.
LSF