March 10, 2003
Insulin Pumps, Other Illnesses
Question from Pomona, New York, USA:
My seven and a half year old daughter started the pump with 20% diluted insulin about a month ago, and about a week later, she developed tiny little bumps (sort of like pimples, but not discolored) around her nose and under her eye. Could this be from the diluent they use? We not changed soaps, so I know it is not that.
Answer:
I’m not a big fan of diluting insulin for pump use because of errors that can happen in calculations as well as sterility/insulin stability issues. At our center, we have never had to do it, even with neonates who require very little insulin. Basal rates of 0 units per hour alternating with 0.1unit per hour overnight have worked just fine with Humalog and NovoLog.
However, that said, I can’t think of any way that these lesions could be related to diluent.
LAD
Additional comments from Dr. Philip Ledereich:
I’m not sure what that is. Maybe you shouls take your daughter to a dermatologist so she can be treated.
PSL
