Localized skin reactions to insulin: insulin lipodystrophies and skin reactions to pumped subcutaneous insulin therapy.
Patients treated with insulin can develop a variety of adverse cutaneous and subcutaneous reactions localized at sites of insulin injection. The reported frequency, severity, and type of skin reactions to insulin are varied, as are the theories relating to their etiology and recommendations for treatment. In this review, several types of localized skin reactions to insulin injection will be described. Particular attention will be devoted to insulin lipoatrophy and skin reactions in patients using mechanical devices for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Recent advances in diabetes care have made insulin-induced lipoatrophy a preventable and treatable disorder. However, localized skin reactions are emerging as a potential problem among users of insulin infusion pumps.
D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000209:etiology