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September 5, 2001

Insulin

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Question from East Lyme, Connecticut, USA:

My 80 year old mother has been on insulin injections for her diabetes for just a couple of months, and since she started on insulin, they’ve changed it a handful of times, because of allergic reactions (swelling, rashes, itching). Her dermatologist and allergy specialists say they’re not familiar with these kinds of reactions to insulin. Is there any information on this? My mom’s overdue for some relief.

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

Sorry to hear about your mother. My impression is that insulin reactions, especially skin eruptions, are very uncommon. I assume the doctors are doing skin testing to determine the link between insulin and the rash. It is unlikely to be a problem given the fact that insulin is generated by the body and is normally present. Sometimes it is the additives to the insulin that changes its kinetic behavior that can cause the problem. In addition, there is also a bacteriostatic component to the insulin product which prevents bacteria from growing in the insulin. This may be a source for allergic reaction as well.

JTL

[Editor’s comment: Sometimes, it is not the insulin that causes this type of reaction, but the silicone which coats the inside of the syringes. Another possibility is that she has a latex allergy, and there may be some latex particles from the vial stopper left on the needle. This latter difficulty can be corrected by wiping the needle with an alcohol swab prior to injection. I would suggest your mother or her physicians contact the manufacturers of both the insulin and syringes is using for further advice.

SS]