Insulin pumps provide the convenience of lessening the need for multiple injections with a syringe. By providing continuous insulin infusion directly into the skin, pump wearers gain an increased sense of freedom and tighter control of glucose levels. Wearing an infusion set increases your risk of developing infections at the infusion site that can produce pain, redness and swelling. Poor glucose control is a sign you have an infection in the skin around the set and that it should be removed.
Insulin Therapy
Insulin pump therapy requires inserting and wearing a Teflon or metal cannula or tube as part of the infusion set underneath the skin to provide a continuous flow of insulin to control blood glucose levels. Dressings cover the infusion set to increase adherence to your skin and maintaining delivery of insulin. Plastic tubing connected to the actual insulin pump delivers the insulin to your infusion set.
Causes of Infections
Reactions to the adhesive of the infusion set, coatings on the infusion needles, the metal used to make the needle, improperly cleaning your skin before inserting the set and the insulin itself can cause infections, as stated by certified diabetes educator Christy Parkin in Diabetes Forecast. Redness, change in temperature at the infusion site, bumps and pain are indicators that you have an infection and need to address it immediately. Continuing to wear the infusion set can lead to the infection becoming widespread in your body, possibly leading to hospitalization because of sepsis, a serious blood infection that can lead to death if untreated.
Bacteria
The most common bacteria to cause an infection are Staphylococcus aureus and epidermis, which is a naturally occurring bacteria found on your skin. When improper skin-cleaning methods are used, the bacteria are pushed into the lower layers of your skin, encountering nutrients found in your blood. The bacteria feed and thrive off the nutrients and cause an infection.
Treatment
Upon inspecting your skin, if you suspect an infection, remove the infusion set, tubing and cartridge from your insulin pump and replace immediately. Parkin says that for people who are sensitive to repeated infections, using the triple antibiotic procedure reduces the frequency and occurrence of infections. This requires washing your hands with antibacterial soap and letting them dry. Clean your skin where you plan to insert your infusion set with antibiotic cleansing solution and let dry. Finally, apply an antiseptic and adhesive to the area before inserting your infusion set.
Prevention and Rotation
Infusion sets can be worn for up to three days safely without risk of infections when using proper hand washing and insertion techniques. Most infusion sets are sold separately with the Teflon cannula being connected to the tubing, which connects to the pump. Because the tubing that delivers insulin into your skin is exposed to the capillaries of your body, you should change them two to three times per week.
