OmniPod Rash?

If you've ever experienced a rash under your OmniPod, CGM or infusion set adhesive, read on.

Before I begin I need to say that I'm not a doctor and you should never confuse me sharing my experiences with health care advice. Never make adjustments to a care plan without first checking with your physician.

In the summer of 2010 Arden began to develop a rather severe rash under her OmniPod. I was confused because she had been wearing her OmniPod for a rather long time with no issues and it seemed random that she would suddenly have such a reaction. I turned to the internet, called Insulet and was presented with a number of "solutions". My problem with the answer that I was given was that it included buying more stuff and it complicated the pod application process. I really believe that the simple answer is often the best, so I held off on putting the conventional fix into practice and took another shot at diagnosing the issue myself.

Before I could put my thinking cap on I noticed that I was rubbing my finger tips against my thumb and that my finger tips were sore. I looked at them and saw that they were dry and begining to crack. I drifted away from Arden's issue momentarily to wonder about my own and then it hit me - I'm always touching alcohol swabs, that's probably why my fingers are so dry.

That realization led to an epiphany and suddenly I (thought) knew why Arden was developing rashes. At Arden's next pod change and every DexCom and OmniPod application since, I have cleaned Arden's sites with warm water and a clean towel - nothing else. Not only has she never had another rash but her pods don't stick to her like they've been cemented on when it's time for them to be changed (don't worry, they don't come off prematurely).

Turns out for Arden, chemically wiping away the oil that her skin makes naturally and then covering the area with an adhesive strip, wasn't a good idea.

I've shared our process with Arden's endo NP. She wasn't thrilled that I stopped disinfecting Arden's sites before poking a hole into her but she does acknowledge that we may have had to discontinue using Arden's pump without this adjustment. For us it's a calculated risk, you and your doctor can decide if it's the right thing for you to do. I wish you much luck!

Comments

[Angela (Toucan Scraps)]

we've never used the alcohol wipes, always just used water to clean the sites and it's always been fine. We don't have infection problems. Only the occasional minor local infection that cleared up quickly with salted water after cannula removal.
In fact disinfecting wipes prior to set changes are actively discouraged here in the UK.

[Scott]

It's very interesting that this is discouraged in the UK. Thank you for sharing!

[BRH]

As always, informative and interesting. I reached the same conclusion with my 8-year old daughter a few years ago and have since always done it the same way you described. Sometimes I use a little lidocaine to prep the Omnipod site, and I always use it to prep a CGMS site. But like you, I don't use alcohol prep and just use a wet/dry towel. I also use Skin Tac to increase adhesion and then use Uni-Solve for removal. After removal, I also give a little tissue massage with some antibiotic ointment. Her skin really looks great, and I'm thankful for these different techniques and products. And I'm thankful for you, Scott, for sharing your experiences, and making a difference.

[Scott Benner]

BRH, You are very kind, thank you for the wonderful words! It's my pleasure... I've been considering Skin Tac for Arden's CGM, we never have an issue with the pod as they are only on for three days but the CGM sensor is often hanging by the time we are finished with it.

Your daughter is very lucky to have you taking such wonderful care of her, my best to your family!

Scott

[Sara]

Maybe for the first year after I was diagnosed I used alcohol swabs, but as you described my skin was so dry and itchy under my sites.

Now I try to time my site changes after a shower to make sure I am my freshest and cleanest ;)