Misuse of insulin can cause insulin lipohyperrophy, which is a deformity, characterized by a lump under the skin where the diabetic patient injects insulin, such as into the arm, thigh or abdomen.
Generally, this complication occurs when the diabetic applies insulin several times in the same place with the pen or syringe, which causes insulin to accumulate there and the hormone to become malabsorption, resulting in the maintenance of blood sugar. Diabetes cannot be properly controlled.
- To treat insulin lipohyperrophy.
- Also called insulin dystrophy.
- It is necessary not to apply insulin at the site of the nodule.
- Giving total rest to this part of the body.
- Because if insulin is applied at the site.
- In addition to causing pain.
- Insulin is not absorbed correctly and only if it can control blood sugar.
The mass usually decreases spontaneously but can take between weeks and months, depending on its size.
To prevent insulin lipohyperrophy, it is essential to take certain precautions, such as:
To prevent the formation of lumps by insulin accumulation, it should be applied in different places and can be injected into arms, thighs, abdomen and external buttocks, reaching the subcutaneous tissue, which is located under the skin.
In addition, it is important to rotate between the right and left sides of the body, taking turns between the right and left arms, for example, and, not forgetting where the last injection was made, it can be important to register.
In addition to varying the place of application of insulin, between the arm and thigh, for example, it is important that the patient rotate in the same area of the body, leaving a distance of 2 to 3 fingers between each application site.
Typically, when you apply this technique, at least 6 insulin applications may be performed in the same area of your body, indicating that it is only every 15 days that you inject insulin back into the same place.
It is essential that the diabetic changes the needle of the insulin pen before each application, since in the case of using the same needle several times increases the pain in the application and the risk of developing lipohypertrophy and developing small bruises.
In addition, the doctor should indicate the most recommended needle size, as it depends on the amount of body fat of the patient, but in most cases the needle is small and very thin, not causing pain during application.
After changing the needle, it is important to apply the insulin correctly. Refer to the technique at: How to apply insulin.
Improper insulin application with the use of a syringe or pen can also cause insulin lipoatrophy, which is fat loss from insulin injection sites and appears as a skin depression, but these cases are rare.
In addition, insulin application can sometimes reveal a small bruise at the injection site, causing some pain.