Pump users...??

Question

How do you all deal with the itchiness of the tape and tegaderms during the hot summer months. Jeez...sometimes it itches SO bad.

When I change my set, I often have to apply cortisone cream to where the old set was. It's red and irritated. That doesn't really happen during the winter months. The actual puncture site is fine...it's where the tape was that's sore and itchy.

Baby oil usually gets off the adhesive that is left on my skin when I pull the tape off. Still, with hot and humid weather...I want to scratch it so badly.

Ideas?

EMT

Answer 1

I used to have that problem too and I asked my doctor about it. This is what he recommended and it has helped. I rub some hydrocortisone cream in the spot where I plan to put my infusion set a couple of hours prior to actually changing the site. Then again after removing the site I rub it with the hydrocortisone cream. This has helped a lot. I can empathize with that itchy feeling. In the past I have ripped off infusions sets because I just couldn't take it anymore! Good luck!

Answer 2

You might try using a solid antiperspirant on skin where the tape will go, to try to cut down on the sweat factor. For the itchies, it might be better if you also chose sites with a bit less sensitivity, such as the back or upper bottocks. And if you can do it, try taping in an "x" formation to secure the infusion set. If you can manage it, switch the direction of the tape each day instead of leaving it in place the entire time- that is if you aren't changing sites each day. And you can check out different types of tape and site protectors. I have a problem with fabric based tapes, and usually do best with durapore and paper tape. Paper tape obviously isn't a good choice in your case, but durapore might be. The adhesive is good, but not as likely to remove skin when it's time to move sites. Do you use any sort of topical lidocaine gel before inserting the needle? That might help kill an unbearable itch in a pinch as well. Just a few stray thoughts to throw out there for you, and I hope something helps.