title: [Insulin allergy: background, diagnosis and treatment].
abstract: An allergic reaction develops in 2.4% of patients that use insulin. This ranges in severity from erythema and pruritus to life-threatening anaphylaxis. llergic reactions to insulin usually occur within a few hours after an injection and are usually due to a local or systemic type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction. Despite considerable research into the immunogenicity of insulin, this has not yet been clarified completely and allergic reactions to insulin still occur. A systematic diagnostic approach is essential for an adequate treatment plan. A blood test for anti-insulin antibodies and intradermal skin tests are of great importance. There are many options available for the treatment of insulin allergy and each patient must therefore be evaluated individually.
authors.affiliation: Afd. Dermatologie, VU Medisch Centrum, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wonders
authors.forename: E M W
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Eekhoff
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Bruynzeel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rustemeyer
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007330:Insulin Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D007330:Insulin Antibodies