Insulin allergy symptoms. Allergic reactions to insulin Which insulin preparations are less likely to cause allergic reactions

According to statistics, insulin allergies occur in 5–30% of cases. The main cause of the pathology is the presence of proteins in insulin preparations, which are perceived by the body as antigens. The use of any insulin hormone preparations can lead to allergies. This can be avoided through the use of modern highly purified products. The formation of antibodies in response to insulin supplied from outside is determined by the genetic predisposition of the patient. U different people there may be different reactions to the same drug.

How to choose a drug?

If a patient has a reaction to an insulin preparation with beef protein, he is prescribed a product based on human protein.

An allergy to the hormone insulin negatively affects the patient’s condition and requires an emergency solution to the current problem, because treatment for diabetes mellitus must be continued. Self-replacement One medicine over another is prohibited, because if the wrong choice is made, the body’s negative reaction will intensify. If you experience signs of an allergy, you should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor will perform a desensitization procedure skin tests insulin, which reveals the body's reaction to a particular drug.

Selecting insulin takes a lot of time. Each injection is given with a break of 20–30 minutes. Desensitization is a complex procedure, because often the patient does not have time for numerous tests. As a result of selection, the patient is prescribed a drug to which there were no negative reactions. It is impossible to choose the right insulin preparation on your own; you must consult a doctor.

What are the types of allergies to insulin?

There can be 2 types of allergies to insulin, depending on the speed of its manifestation. The features of each type are presented in the table:

Main symptoms

Rash and hives may be an allergic reaction to different drugs and irritants.

An allergic reaction at the injection site is accompanied by:

extensive rash;
severe itching;
hives;
atopic dermatitis.

In addition to skin manifestations, it is possible following symptoms allergies:

increased body temperature;
joint pain;
general weakness;
fast fatiguability;
general swelling bodies.

A rare manifestation of a negative reaction to an insulin-containing drug is:

fever;
pulmonary edema;
necrosis of subcutaneous tissues.

Diagnostics

Accurate diagnosis Only a doctor can determine whether you have allergies.

Diagnosis is based on the study of anamnesis and medical consultation. During diagnosis, it is important to distinguish an allergy to an insulin drug from allergies of a different nature, skin diseases, skin itching, characteristic of renal failure and lymphoproliferative diseases. Qualitative reactions allow us to identify the characteristics of the drug used by the patient and possible error when performing an injection. Diabetes compensation and the level of a number of immunoglobulins are checked. Testing with allergy tests is possible. The patient is injected under the skin with a microdose of the hormone. An hour later, the size of the papule and the presence of hyperemia are assessed.

Publication date: 26-11-2019

People suffering from diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels daily. When it increases, insulin injections are indicated. After administration of the substance, the condition should stabilize. However, up to 30% of patients after the injection may feel that an allergy to insulin has begun. This is due to the fact that the drug includes protein structures. They are an antigen for the body. Therefore on modern stage Much attention is paid to the creation of insulins, which are thoroughly purified.

Types of reactions to the drug

Animal proteins are used to make insulin. They are the ones who become common cause occurrence of an allergic reaction. Insulin can be created based on:

human proteins.

Types of insulin medications

Recombinant type insulin is also used during administration.
Patients who inject insulin daily have an increased risk of reactions to the drug. It is caused by the presence of antibodies in the body to the hormone. It is these bodies that become the source of the reaction.
Allergy to insulin can be in the form of two reactions:

immediate;

slow

Symptoms - facial skin hypermia

In an immediate reaction, allergy symptoms appear immediately as soon as a person injects insulin. No more than half an hour passes from the moment of administration until the symptoms appear. During this period, a person may be susceptible to the following symptoms:

skin hyperemia at the injection site;

hives;

dermatitis.

The immediate reaction affects various systems of the body. Depending on the location of the signs and the nature of their manifestation, the following are distinguished:

systemic;

combined reactions.

With local damage, symptoms are characterized only in the area of drug administration. The systemic reaction affects other parts of the body, spreading throughout the body. When combined, local changes are accompanied by negative manifestations in other areas.
With a slow course of the allergy, a sign of damage is detected the next day after the administration of insulin. It is characterized by infiltration of the injection area. Allergies manifest themselves both in the form of ordinary skin reactions and are characterized by severe damage to the body. At hypersensitivity a person develops anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema.

Signs of defeat

Since when the drug is administered, the integrity of skin, then one of the most characteristic symptoms are changes on the surface of the skin. They can be expressed as:

extensive rash that causes severe discomfort;

increased itching;

hives;

atopic dermatitis.

Symptoms - atopic dermatitis

Local reactions accompany almost every person with insulin sensitivity. However, there are also severe damage to the body. In this case, the symptoms appear as a generalized reaction. A person often feels:

rise in body temperature;

pain in the joints;

weakness of the whole body;

state of fatigue;

angioedema.

Rarely, but still severe damage to the body occurs. As a result of insulin administration, the following may occur:

feverish condition;

swelling of lung tissue;

necrotic tissue damage under the skin.

Particularly sensitive patients, when administered the drug, often experience extensive damage to the body, which is very dangerous. A diabetic begins to experience angioedema and anaphylactic shock. The seriousness of the situation lies in the fact that such reactions not only cause swipe throughout the body, but can also cause death. If strong manifestations occur to a person in mandatory need to call ambulance.

How to choose insulin?

An allergic reaction to insulin is not only a test for the body. When symptoms occur, patients often do not know what to do, since diabetes treatment must continue. It is prohibited to independently discontinue or prescribe a new insulin-containing drug. This causes an increase in reaction if the selection is incorrect.

see Skin tests. Diagnosis of allergies occurs in special medical institutions in a format convenient for finding out the result.

If a reaction occurs, the patient should immediately consult a doctor. In this case, the doctor may prescribe desensitization. The essence of the procedure is to conduct tests on the skin. They are necessary for correct selection drug for injection. The result of the research is best option insulin injections.
The procedure is quite complicated. This is due to the fact that in some cases the patient is too limited in time to select the drug. If injections need to be carried out not urgently, then skin tests are done at intervals of 20–30 minutes. During this time, the doctor evaluates the body's reaction.
Among the insulins with the most gentle effect on the body sensitive people secrete a drug based on human protein. In this case it pH value has a neutral meaning. It is used when there is a reaction to insulin with beef protein.

Treatment

It is necessary to relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction by taking antihistamines. In addition, they will help lower blood sugar levels. Among them are:

Diphenhydramine;

Pipolfen;

Suprastin;

Diazolin;

Common antihistamines I, II and III generations.

If lumps appear at the injection site, the doctor prescribes an electrophoresis procedure with calcium chloride. As a result, the substance will have a resorbing effect on the affected area.
The method of hyposensitization is also often used. During the procedure, the patient is given microdoses of insulin. The body begins to get used to the drug. As the dose increases, the immune system develops tolerance and stops producing antibodies. The allergic reaction is thus eliminated.
In some cases, administration of boiled insulin is indicated. At the same time, there is no effect on hormonal background, and slower absorption is also noted active substance. After the reaction is completely eliminated, it is possible to replace boiled insulin with a regular drug.
Treatment may also include taking medications to stop the formation of antibodies. One of the effective medications of this type is Decaris. It improves immunity. In this case, insulin is administered for 3–4 days. And then Dekaris is added to therapy for 3 days. Next appointment carried out after 10 days.
An allergic reaction to insulin sometimes has a severe effect on the body. Therefore, if it is impossible to independently minimize the consequences of an allergy, the patient should go to a hospital for treatment. In this case, medical professionals will help cope with the signs of allergies.

Spark
The leaflet for Levemir states: “Injection site reactions may occur more frequently with Levemir® Penfill® than with human insulin. These reactions include redness, inflammation, bruising, swelling and itching at the injection site. Most injection site reactions are minor. and are temporary in nature, i.e. disappear with continued treatment for several days to several weeks."
Allergic reactions develop both to insulin itself and to impurities in the drug, including prolongators, preservatives, and stabilizers. Individuals are more susceptible to developing allergic reactions young, women. They rarely occur in people over 60 years of age. Allergic reactions usually develop in the first 1-4 weeks of insulin treatment, less often immediately after the start of insulin therapy. If a systemic reaction occurs (urticaria or Quincke's edema), signs of inflammation are usually observed at the site of drug administration.

r />Skin manifestations of insulin allergy are observed in 8-10% of patients, generalized urticaria occurs in 0.4% of cases, anaphylactic shock is very rare. A generalized reaction is manifested by weakness, fever, urticaria, itching, joint pain, dyspeptic disorders, and angioedema. Rare cases of unusual allergic reactions characterized by slow, gradual development, a febrile state with the occurrence of pulmonary edema, which disappears after discontinuation of insulin. Rarely also found allergic reactions according to the type of Arthus phenomenon with aseptic necrosis of the subcutaneous base at the injection site. If an allergic reaction to any drug develops, the first thing they do is transfer the patient to the least immunogenic drug. This is a simple-acting human insulin with a neutral pH. In a number of patients, this turns out to be sufficient to solve the problem of allergies to acidic insulin, insulin impurities, including analogues.

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Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is one of the most common side effects that occur during treatment with insulin (this is a condition in which blood sugar drops below normal indicators). Sometimes glucose levels may drop to 2.2 mmol/L or less. Such changes are dangerous, as they can lead to loss of consciousness, convulsions, stroke and even coma. But with timely assistance provided at the initial stages of the development of hypoglycemia, the patient’s condition, as a rule, quickly normalizes, and this pathology passes almost without a trace.

There are reasons that increase the risk of developing a pathological decrease in blood sugar when treated with insulin:

spontaneous improvement in the ability of cells to absorb glucose during periods of remission (symptoms subsiding) of diabetes mellitus;
violation of diet or skipping meals;
grueling physical activity;
incorrect dose of insulin;
drinking alcohol;
reducing the calorie intake below the norm recommended by the doctor;
conditions that are associated with dehydration (diarrhea, vomiting);
taking medications that are incompatible with insulin.

Hypoglycemia that is not diagnosed in time is especially dangerous. This phenomenon usually occurs in people who have been sick for a long time diabetes mellitus, but cannot compensate for it properly. If their sugar levels are either low or high over a long period of time, they may not notice alarming symptoms because they think this is the norm.

Lipodystrophy

Lipodystrophy is a thinning of subcutaneous fat, which occurs in diabetics due to frequent injections insulin to the same anatomical area. The fact is that in the injection area, insulin may be absorbed with a delay and not completely penetrate into the desired tissues. This can lead to a change in the strength of its influence and to thinning of the skin in this place. Usually, modern drugs rarely have such a negative effect, but for prevention it is still advisable to periodically change injection sites. This will protect against lipodystrophy and keep the subcutaneous layer of fat unchanged.

Lipodystrophy itself, of course, does not pose a threat to the patient’s life, but it can become a serious problem for him. Firstly, lipodystrophy increases the level of cholesterol in the blood, and because of this there is a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Secondly, because of it, the physiological pH level of the blood can shift towards increased acidity. A diabetic may develop weight problems due to a local disorder metabolic processes. Another unpleasant nuance with lipodystrophy is the occurrence nagging pain in those places where the affected subcutaneous fat is located.

Effect on vision and metabolism

Side effects from the eyes are uncommon and usually resolve within the first week of starting regular insulin therapy. The patient may experience a temporary decrease in visual acuity, since changes in blood glucose concentration affect tissue turgor (internal pressure).

Visual acuity, as a rule, completely returns to its previous level within 7–10 days from the start of treatment. During this period, the body's response to insulin becomes physiological (natural) and all unpleasant eye symptoms disappear. To facilitate the transition stage, you need to protect the organ of vision from overstrain. To do this, it is important to exclude prolonged reading, working with a computer and watching TV. If the patient has chronic diseases eyes (for example, myopia), then at the beginning of insulin therapy it is better for him to use glasses rather than contact lenses, even if he is used to wearing them all the time.

Since insulin speeds up the metabolic process, sometimes at the beginning of treatment the patient may develop severe swelling. Due to fluid retention, a person can gain 3-5 kg within a week. This excess weight should go away approximately 10-14 days from the start of therapy. If swelling does not go away and persists for a longer period of time, the patient should consult a doctor and undergo additional diagnostics body.

Allergy

Modern insulin preparations obtained using biotechnology and genetic engineering, are high quality and rarely cause allergic reactions. But despite this, these drugs still contain proteins, and by their nature they can be antigens. Antigens are substances that are foreign to the body, and when they enter it, they can provoke protective reactions of the immune system. According to statistics, insulin allergies occur in 5–30% of patients. There is also an individual tolerance to the drug, because the same medicine may not be suitable for different patients with the same manifestations of diabetes.

Allergies can be local or general. Most often, a local allergic response occurs, which is manifested by inflammation, redness, swelling and swelling at the injection site. Sometimes these symptoms may be accompanied by small rash like urticaria and itching.

The most terrible forms general allergies- Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. Fortunately, they are very rare, but about these pathological conditions you need to know, as they require emergency care.

If local reactions to insulin occur in the area close to the injection site, then in general forms of allergies the rash spreads throughout the body. It is often accompanied by severe swelling, breathing problems, heart failure and pressure surges.

How can I help? It is necessary to stop administering insulin, call an ambulance and free the patient from restrictive clothing so that nothing is squeezing chest. A diabetic needs to be provided with rest and access to fresh, cool air. When calling a team, the ambulance dispatcher can tell you how to provide assistance in accordance with the symptoms that arise, so as not to harm the patient.

How to reduce the risk of side effects?

By using the right medication and following the recommendations of your doctor, you can significantly reduce the risk of unwanted effects of insulin. Before administering a hormone, you should always pay attention to appearance solution (if the patient takes it from a bottle or ampoule). If there is cloudiness, color change or sediment appears, the hormone should not be injected.

To protect yourself from side effect insulin, it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:

do not switch to the new kind insulin (even if different brands have the same active substance with a similar dosage);
adjust the dose of medication before physical activity and after them;
When using insulin pens, always monitor their serviceability and the expiration date of the cartridges;
do not stop insulin therapy while trying to replace it folk remedies, homeopathy, etc.;
follow a diet and follow the rules healthy image life.

Modern high quality medicines for diabetics allow to minimize the negative effects on the body. But, unfortunately, no one is immune from side effects. Sometimes they can appear even after long time using the same medicine. To protect yourself from severe consequences For your health, if any doubtful signs appear, you should not delay your visit to the doctor. The treating endocrinologist will help you choose the optimal drug, adjust the dosage if necessary, and give recommendations for further diagnosis and treatment.

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Allergy to "Insulin"

There are several types of the drug, depending on the manufacturing method: synthetic and isolated from the pancreas of animals. The latest options are divided into several subtypes. Each of them is capable of triggering allergic reactions, since this substance is essentially a protein.

The immune system perceives it as a dangerous agent. Additives included in the drug can also provoke allergies. In any case, for any manifestations of the disease, you should visit a doctor. It should not be forgotten that drug allergy considered the most dangerous. Especially when it comes to insulin-dependent diabetes.

An allergic reaction to Insulin can be local or general. At the same time, the risk group consists of young people, representatives of the fair sex. People over 60 years of age are very rarely affected. In most cases, allergies occur approximately a week or a month after the start of use. It is much less common for the body to react negatively immediately after administration of the drug.

The explanation for what is happening is quite simple - the substance accumulates in the body. Increased concentration causes the immune system to remove excess elements. As a result, signs of an allergic reaction appear, depending on the form of the disease.

Forms of allergy to the drug

There are 2 forms of allergic reactions:

In the first case, manifestations occur almost immediately after administration of the drug, after 15 minutes, half an hour. Characterized by the appearance of:

severe redness skin at the site of insulin injection;
hives;
dermatitis.

This type of reaction is divided into 3 types: local, systemic and combined type. In the first case, manifestations occur only at the injection site. In a systemic reaction, other areas of the body are affected. The combined type includes both local and general symptoms.

The delayed form develops a day after the injection. An infiltrate forms at the injection site. Depending on the form and type, the symptoms differ slightly. Signs appear on the skin, but they can also be strong, dangerous reactions, for example anaphylactic.

Symptoms of the pathological condition

Signs of the disease on the skin appear in the majority of patients. In this case, the following occurs:

severe rash accompanied by unpleasant sensations;
hives;
rarely – atopic dermatitis.

Some patients experience a generalized reaction. Characterized by:

increased body temperature;
joint pain;
general weakness;
increased fatigue;
angioedema.

More serious reactions, such as:

Fever;
Edema of the lung tissue;
Necrosis of subcutaneous tissues.

In particularly susceptible patients predisposed to other allergic reactions to medications, anaphylactic shock and Quincke's edema occur. These reactions pose a direct threat to human life and require quick and qualified assistance.

The complexity of the situation lies in the impossibility of canceling Insulin. In this case, a decision is made to use a more gentle substance, that is, human insulin. The drug has a neutral pH value. In most cases, this method helps, especially for those who are allergic to beef insulin.

Allergy treatment

First of all, the doctor will prescribe tests that will help to accurately determine the cause of the allergy. Taking into account the history, antihistamines are recommended. Most often prescribed:

"Diphenhydramine";
"Diazolin";
"Tavegil" and others.

If there are seals at the injection site, electrophoresis is performed with calcium chloride, acting directly on the affected area. One more effective method is hyposensitization. That is, the patient is given microdoses of insulin. Thus, an allergic reaction does not develop.

Gradually the dosage is increased, thereby the body gets used to the drug. Immune tolerance is formed, cells responsible for inhibiting the development of antibodies are produced.

In some cases, boiled insulin is used and administered, gradually increasing the dosage. In this case, the substance does not have hormonal effect, is absorbed slowly. Over time, the drug is changed to the usual type. There are several other methods to reduce allergic manifestations. The doctor selects them individually.

Sometimes a decision is made to hospitalize the patient stationary conditions. Thus, the person is under constant supervision by a physician. Deadly danger is reduced to a minimum.

Drugs are often prescribed to suppress the formation of antibodies and stimulate cellular reactions. One of them is “Dekaris”, which has immunomodulatory properties. Therapy takes place in 2 stages. During the first, insulin is administered according to a specific schedule for 3 to 4 days.

At the second stage, Dekaris is taken in courses of 3 days with a break of 10 days. The dosage and course are prescribed only by the doctor. Each patient is individual. Pathology develops differently in everyone, which is why the approach medicinal correction cannot be the same.

Allergy to insulin

This disease is quite complex and dangerous. Even the slightest signs of a malfunction in the body cannot be ignored. A person with a genetic predisposition to any allergic reactions must inform the doctor.

It is advisable to undergo an allergen test before starting insulin therapy. This will make it possible to avoid unpleasant and dangerous consequences. The drug is often prescribed to children. In this case, the issue should be approached especially seriously.

A growing organism is very vulnerable, the reaction can be unpredictable. If the child has serious illnesses, For example, bronchial asthma. You should be especially careful, as the problem may worsen. Every person who is allergic to insulin must have an antihistamine or adrenaline with them. Thanks to this, a person will be able to help himself in case of an unexpected reaction to insulin.

For products
For plants
For insect bites
For animal fur
In pregnant women
In children
In animals
At home

More information on the topic: http://allergiku.com

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How to choose a drug?

If a patient has a reaction to an insulin preparation with beef protein, he is prescribed a product based on human protein.

An allergy to the hormone insulin negatively affects the patient’s condition and requires an emergency solution to the current problem, because treatment for diabetes mellitus must be continued. Independently replacing one medicine with another is prohibited, because if you make the wrong choice, the body’s negative reaction will intensify. If you experience signs of an allergy, you should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor will perform desensitization - a procedure for insulin skin tests that reveals the body's reactions to a particular drug.

Return to contents

What are the types of allergies to insulin?

There can be 2 types of allergies to insulin, depending on the speed of its manifestation. The features of each type are presented in the table:

Return to contents

Main symptoms

Rash and hives can be an allergic reaction to various drugs and irritants.

An allergic reaction at the injection site is accompanied by:

extensive rash;
severe itching;
hives;
atopic dermatitis.

In addition to skin manifestations, the following allergy symptoms are possible:

increased body temperature;
joint pain;
general weakness;
fast fatiguability;
general swelling of the body.

A rare manifestation of a negative reaction to an insulin-containing drug is:

fever;
pulmonary edema;
necrosis of subcutaneous tissues.

Return to contents

Diagnostics

Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis of whether you have an allergy.

The diagnosis is based on a medical history and medical consultation. During diagnosis, it is important to distinguish an allergy to an insulin drug from allergies of a different nature, skin diseases, skin itching, characteristic of renal failure and lymphoproliferative diseases. Qualitative reactions make it possible to identify the characteristics of the drug used by the patient and a possible error during the injection. Diabetes compensation and the level of a number of immunoglobulins are checked. Testing with allergy tests is possible. The patient is injected under the skin with a microdose of the hormone. An hour later, the size of the papule and the presence of hyperemia are assessed.

According to various sources, allergic manifestations when insulin is administered, they occur in 5-30% of cases. Most cases of allergies are associated with the presence in insulin preparations of substances with a protein structure that have antigen properties. The administration of any drug containing insulin can lead to an allergic reaction in the body. However, the use of modern highly purified insulins allows us to predict a decrease in the incidence of such complications.

The tendency to form antibodies in response to insulin administration is determined at the genetic level, therefore, different tolerability of the same drugs is observed in different patients. According to A.V. Dreval (1974), more massive formation of antibodies should be expected in patients with severe course diabetes complicated by microangiopathy and when using long-acting forms of insulin.

Determination of allergic reactions to insulin administration

When administering insulin, local and general forms allergies. The possibility of developing an allergic reaction is determined by the presence of impurities in the drug (prolongers, preservatives, stabilizing substances) and the insulin itself. An allergic reaction to insulin can develop immediately after the first injection, but more often it develops after four weeks of insulin therapy. Classic symptoms of inflammation develop at the site of insulin injection. An allergic reaction can occur in the form of urticaria or Quincke's edema.

The main forms of allergic reactions to insulin

Currently, there are two forms of insulin allergy based on the speed of reaction:

Hypersensitivity reaction immediate type. Characterized by a rapid onset (less than half an hour after injection), the appearance of urticaria at the injection site, a pale pink rash or brighter skin manifestations;
Delayed hypersensitivity reaction. It is characterized by delayed development (from 20 to 30 hours after injection of the drug), the appearance of subcutaneous infiltrates.

There are three forms of immediate hypersensitivity according to the clinical course:

Local - characterized inflammatory process at the site of insulin injection;
Systemic - characterized by the development of manifestations in places distant from the injection site;
Mixed - includes local and systemic manifestations simultaneously.

What are the symptoms?

A rapid increase in adrenaline levels leads to increased sweating, tremor of the fingers, weakness, rapid heartbeat, fear and hunger.

Also, signs of insulin overdose include:

sweating at night;
headache in the morning;
seizure disorders;
depression;
lethargy;
liver enlargement due to glycogen accumulation, increased tolerance to the drug.

Additional symptoms of overdose include polyuria, predominance of nocturnal diuresis (nocturia) and enuresis, increased appetite, weight gain, and emotional lability. Fasting glucose levels can vary within normal values, but at the same time decrease at night. Also, hyperglycemia may be observed in the morning, which leads to a worsening of the disease due to an increase in the required dose of insulin.

What are allergic reactions to insulin?

Allergic reactions are divided into local (local) and generalized (general).

Local reaction to insulin drugs appears directly at the injection site, usually within 7-14 days from the start of therapy, develops quickly (within 1 hour after administration, sometimes within the first day). It is characterized by hyperemia and swelling of the skin area up to 5 cm in diameter, a burning sensation, itching or pain. Sometimes a papular rash and subcutaneous infiltrates may appear. The Arthus phenomenon develops extremely rarely ( aseptic necrosis fabrics). In the etiology of immediate hypersensitivity, the main role belongs to circulating immunoglobulins (antibodies) of classes E and G.

General reaction on insulin preparations is characterized the appearance of urticarial itchy rash, angioedema, bronchospasm, disorders gastrointestinal tract, multiple arthralgia, changes in the blood (thrombocytopenic purpura, increased number of eosinophils, enlarged lymph nodes), in rare cases, anaphylaxis with the development of shock is observed. Often a general allergic reaction occurs against the background of an already existing local reaction. However, generalization of the process occurs in approximately 0.1% of total number cases of insulin allergy.

Medical care for allergic reactions

First required action when an allergy to a substance develops, it means stopping its entry into the patient’s body. This is the main difficulty of allergic reactions to insulin, since it is vital and cannot be completely canceled.
Instead of discontinuation, the patient should be transferred to a drug that is less immunogenic. For example, human insulins with pH values within the neutral, simple action range. For some patients, this is enough to solve the allergy problem, including those with intolerance to insulin impurities, beef insulin, or low-pH insulin.
Additionally, antihistamines are prescribed (diphenhydramine, tavegil, diazolin, diprazine), 10% calcium chloride in solution is administered, etc.
Also, calcium chloride electrophoresis is recommended in the presence of subcutaneous infiltrates.

What treatment should I take?

Local forms of allergic reactions may disappear spontaneously within a few weeks. However, if the reaction continues, the following must be done:

Make sure that the patient is administering insulin injections correctly, since violation of the drug administration technique (violation of storage conditions, equipment subcutaneous administration, alcohol getting into the skin) can also cause allergies.
Prescribe another insulin drug.
Use highly purified drugs (monopik and monocomponent insulins).
Combine insulin with hydrocortisone (1-2 mg) with each injection if changing the drug does not give the desired effect.

According to statistics, insulin allergies occur in 5–30% of cases. The main cause of the pathology is the presence of proteins in insulin preparations, which are perceived by the body as antigens.

The use of any insulin hormone preparations can lead to allergies. This can be avoided through the use of modern highly purified products. The formation of antibodies in response to insulin supplied from outside is determined by the genetic predisposition of the patient. Different people may have different reactions to the same drug.

If a patient has a reaction to an insulin preparation with beef protein, he is prescribed a product based on human protein.

An allergy to the hormone insulin negatively affects the patient’s condition and requires an emergency solution to the current problem, because treatment for diabetes mellitus must be continued. Independently replacing one medicine with another is prohibited, because if you make the wrong choice, the body’s negative reaction will intensify.

If you experience signs of an allergy, you should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor will perform desensitization - a procedure for insulin skin tests that reveals the body's reactions to a particular drug.

In addition to skin manifestations, the following allergy symptoms are possible:

increased body temperature;
joint pain;
general weakness;
fast fatiguability;
general swelling of the body.

Patients suffering from diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels daily. When it increases, an insulin injection is required to stabilize well-being.

After the administration of the hormone, the condition should stabilize, but it happens that after the injection the patient develops an allergy to insulin. It should be noted that this kind of reaction is quite common - about 20-25% of patients experience it.

Its expression is due to the fact that insulin has own composition protein structures that act as foreign substances to the body.

After administration of the drug, reactions of a general and local nature may occur.

Attention! An allergy may appear after the first injection, however, such a reaction is rare. As a rule, allergies are detected after 4 weeks of use.

It should be noted that the reaction may vary in severity. The development of Quincke's edema is possible.

Features of the manifestation of the reaction.

Reactions can be divided according to the nature of their occurrence:

Immediate type - appears minutes after the injection, manifests itself in the form of a reaction at the injection site in the form of a rash.
Slow type. It manifests itself in the form of the formation of subcutaneous infiltrates and appears hours after insulin administration.

It is worth noting that a local reaction may occur due to improper administration of the component.

The following factors can provoke a reaction in the body:

significant needle thickness;
intradermal administration;
skin damage;
injections are given continuously in one area of the body;
administration of a cold drug.

It is possible to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction with the use of recombinant insulins. Local reactions are not dangerous and, as a rule, go away without drug intervention.

At the site of insulin injection, some compaction may form, which rises somewhat above the surface of the skin. The papule persists for 14 days.

Attention! A dangerous complication is the Arthus-Sakharov phenomenon. As a rule, a papule is formed if the patient constantly injects insulin into the same place. A seal forms after a week of such use and is accompanied by pain and skin itching.

If the injection again enters the papule, an infiltrate is formed, the volume of which is constantly increasing. An abscess and purulent fistula are formed, and it is possible that the patient’s body temperature may increase.

Main types of reactions.

IN modern medicine Several types of insulin are used: synthetic and isolated from the pancreas of animals, usually pork and bovine. Each of the listed types can provoke an allergy, because the substance is a protein.

Important! Young women and elderly patients are more likely to experience this type of reaction.

Can you be allergic to insulin? Definitely, the possibility of a reaction cannot be ruled out. You need to figure out how it manifests itself and what should a patient suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes do?

The video in this article will introduce readers to the features of allergies.

Minor symptoms of a local allergic reaction appear in the majority of patients.

In this case, the patient may experience:

rash on certain parts of the body, accompanied by itching;
hives;
atopic dermatitis.

A generalized reaction occurs somewhat less frequently and is characterized by following signs:

a significant increase in body temperature;
manifestation of joint pain;
general weakness;
increased fatigue;
enlarged lymph nodes;
digestive disorders;
bronchial spasm;
Quincke's edema (pictured).

Quincke's edema due to allergies.

The listed reactions pose a significant threat to human life and require immediate medical intervention.

Attention! The severity of the situation is expressed in the fact that the patient is forced to constantly use Insulin. In this case, select optimal method treatment - administration of human insulin. The drug has a neutral pH value.

This condition is extremely dangerous for diabetics; even the slightest signs of allergy cannot be ignored. The price of ignoring danger signs- human life.

For a patient who has a hereditary predisposition to allergic reactions, the doctor may recommend an allergen test before starting therapy. Diagnostics will help prevent the manifestation of consequences.

The possibility of replacing the drug should be discussed with a specialist.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that patients using insulin should always have an antihistamine with them - this is necessary to relieve an allergy attack. The advisability of using a particular drug should be discussed with your doctor on a case-by-case basis.

Instructions for use of the composition are relative and do not always regulate the framework required for a diabetic.

The purpose of any drug is to help with a disease. There are many means without which a person cannot exist. One of them is “Insulin”. Without this drug, a person with insulin-dependent diabetes may die. Eat separate category patients whose body does not accept the substance.

In the first case, manifestations occur almost immediately after administration of the drug, after 15 minutes, half an hour. Characterized by the appearance of:

severe redness of the skin at the site of insulin injection;
hives;
dermatitis.

The delayed form develops a day after the injection. An infiltrate forms at the injection site. Depending on the form and type, the symptoms differ slightly. Signs appear on the skin, but there are also strong, dangerous reactions, such as anaphylactic reactions.

Immediate - occurs minutes after insulin administration in the form of severe itching or changes in the skin: dermatitis, urticaria or redness at the injection site.

Slow - it may take a day or more for symptoms to appear.

There are three types of slow motion:

Local - only the injection site is affected.
Systemic - other areas are affected.
Combined – both the injection site and other parts of the body are affected.

Usually an allergy is expressed only in changes in the skin, but stronger and more severe ones are also possible. dangerous consequences, like anaphylactic shock.

I don't have large group people, taking the medication provokes a generalized reaction characterized by the following unpleasant symptoms How:

Slight increase in temperature.
Weakness.
Fatigue.
Indigestion.
Joint pain.
Bronchial spasm.
Enlarged lymph nodes.

In rare cases, serious reactions such as:

Very heat.
Necrosis of subcutaneous tissues.
Edema of the lung tissue.

Recombinant type insulin is also used during administration.

Patients who inject insulin daily have an increased risk of reactions to the drug. It is caused by the presence of antibodies in the body to the hormone. It is these bodies that become the source of the reaction.

The first necessary action when developing an allergy to any substance is to stop its entry into the patient’s body. This is the main difficulty of allergic reactions to insulin, since it is vital and cannot be completely canceled.
Instead of discontinuation, the patient should be transferred to a drug that is less immunogenic. For example, human insulins with pH values within the neutral, simple action range. For some patients, this is enough to solve the allergy problem, including those with intolerance to insulin impurities, beef insulin, or low-pH insulin.
Additionally, antihistamines are prescribed (diphenhydramine, tavegil, diazolin, diprazine), 10% calcium chloride in solution is administered, etc.
Also, calcium chloride electrophoresis is recommended in the presence of subcutaneous infiltrates.

Rash and hives can be an allergic reaction to various drugs and irritants.

extensive rash;
severe itching;
hives;
atopic dermatitis.

fever;
pulmonary edema;
necrosis of subcutaneous tissues.

Immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Characterized by a rapid onset (less than half an hour after injection), the appearance of urticaria at the injection site, a pale pink rash or brighter skin manifestations;
Delayed hypersensitivity reaction. It is characterized by delayed development (from 20 to 30 hours after injection of the drug), the appearance of subcutaneous infiltrates.

Allergy to insulin: could there be a reaction to the hormone?

Insulin is vital for a large group of people. Without it, a person with diabetes can die, because this is the only treatment method that has no analogues yet. Moreover, in 20% of people, the use of this drug causes allergic reactions varying degrees difficulties. Most often, young girls are susceptible to this, less often – elderly people over 60 years of age.

Local - characterized by an inflammatory process at the site of insulin administration;
Systemic - characterized by the development of manifestations in places distant from the injection site;
Mixed - includes local and systemic manifestations simultaneously.

A local reaction to insulin drugs appears directly at the injection site, usually within 7-14 days from the start of therapy, and develops quickly (within 1 hour after administration, sometimes within the first day).

It is characterized by hyperemia and swelling of the skin area up to 5 cm in diameter, a burning sensation, itching or pain. Sometimes a papular rash and subcutaneous infiltrates may appear. The Arthus phenomenon (aseptic tissue necrosis) develops extremely rarely.

The general reaction to insulin drugs is characterized by the appearance of an urticarial itchy rash, angioedema, bronchospasm, gastrointestinal disorders, multiple arthralgias, changes in the blood (thrombocytopenic purpura, an increase in the number of eosinophils, enlarged lymph nodes), and in rare cases, anaphylaxis with the development of shock is observed.

The formation of increased sensitivity occurs in the following ways:

An immediate type reaction associated with the release of immunoglobulin E. Develops within 5-8 hours. Appears as local reactions or anaphylaxis.
Delayed reaction. A systemic manifestation that occurs within an hour. Occurs in the form of urticaria, swelling or anaphylactic reaction.

A local manifestation can occur when the drug is administered incorrectly - a thick needle is injected intradermally, the skin is injured during administration, the wrong location is chosen, excessively cooled insulin is injected.

Since the patient cannot completely do without insulin, the dose is temporarily reduced by 3-4 times, and then, under the cover of antiallergic drugs, it is gradually increased two days before the previous one.

If severe anaphylactic shock has led to complete withdrawal of insulin, then before resuming treatment, the following measures must be taken:

Carry out skin tests with different types insulins.
Choose the drug with the least reaction
Administer the first minimum dose
Gradually increase the dosage under the supervision of blood tests.
If allergy treatment is ineffective, administer insulin along with hydrocortisone.

Insulin desensitization behavior begins with a dose that is reduced by 10 times compared to the minimum that caused positive reaction when performing skin tests. Then, according to the scheme, it is increased every day.

If a patient develops a diabetic coma in the form such as diabetic ketoacidosis or goperosmolar coma and the administration of insulin is necessary for health reasons, then the method of accelerated desensitization is used. Insulin drug short acting injected under the skin every 15 or 30 minutes.

Before this skin testing method, a selection is made pharmacological drug and its dose, which causes the least manifestations of allergic reactions in the patient.

If a local reaction develops during desensitization, the insulin dose is not increased as long as the reaction persists.

If anaphylactic reactions develop, the dose is reduced by half, and then insulin is administered incrementally, while its dosage is increased slowly.

If there is a need to reduce the insulin dose, the patient is transferred to a low-carbohydrate diet, in which even complex carbohydrates used in limited quantities. At the same time, you need to remove from your diet all foods that can intensify allergic manifestations.

Highly allergenic products include:

Milk, cheese, eggs.
Smoked and canned foods, pickles, hot sauces.
Red pepper, tomatoes, carrots, sorrel, eggplant.
Most berries and fruits.
Mushrooms.
Honey, nuts, cocoa, coffee, alcohol.
Seafood, caviar.

It is allowed to use fermented milk drinks, cottage cheese, lean meat, cod, sea bass, green apples, rose hips for diabetes, cabbage, broccoli, cucumbers, greens, zucchini.

The video in this article provides an overview antihistamine, which is effective for insulin allergies.

Allergic reactions to insulin are distinguished between local (local) and general (generalized).

A general allergic reaction to insulin may take the form of an itchy urticarial rash, angioedema, bronchospasm, gastrointestinal disorders, polyarthralgia, changes in the hematopoietic system (thrombocytopenic purpura, eosinophilia, increased lymph nodes), rarely - in the form of anaphylactic shock.

A generalized allergic reaction in most cases occurs against the background of an increasing local reaction to insulin. Fortunately, allergies rarely become generalized, occurring in approximately 0.1% of patients treated with insulin.

An allergic skin reaction to insulin is not always easy to distinguish from non-allergic inflammation associated with mechanical injury. In such cases, an allergy diagnostic test is performed.

Local allergic reactions may disappear spontaneously after 2-3 weeks. If these reactions persist, treatment is as follows:

Together with the patient who has developed an allergic reaction, it is necessary to analyze the insulin administration technique, since, in addition to the presence of antigenic substances in insulin preparations, the injection rules may be violated: low temperature insulin solution, superficial administration of the drug, intradermal ingestion of alcohol during injection, etc.
Replace one biological type of insulin with another.
Switch to purified insulins (monopique, monocomponent).
With absence positive effect from changing the drug, it is necessary to administer each insulin injection with 1-2 mg of hydrocortisone (hydrocortisone hemisuccinate).

IN practical work It is important for the doctor to decide the question: is it permissible to continue insulin therapy in case of local, and even more so in case of a general allergic reaction to insulin. It is believed that if insulin treatment is indicated for a patient, then if only a skin reaction is present, it can be continued, but under strict medical supervision in a hospital.

In approximately one third of these cases, spontaneous hyposensitization to insulin occurs. The same is done in case of a general allergic reaction, except for those cases when insulin therapy must be continued for health reasons: diabetic precoma or coma.

Treatment of generalized insulin allergy is carried out as follows.

Replace the insulin preparation with a highly purified one (with less immunogenicity).
If insulin replacement is ineffective, specific hyposensitization (desensitization) is carried out using monopeak or monocomponent insulin. It can be done quickly or slowly. It is quickly carried out when insulin therapy cannot be canceled for more than 2-3 days. In this case, use various schemes. According to one of them, they begin with the introduction of 1/1000 BD insulin. For this purpose, 4 BD insulin is diluted in 400 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution or pyrogen-free water. 0.1 ml of this solution (1/1000 IU of insulin) is injected intradermally into the forearm area. Every 30 minutes, a solution containing 1/500, then 1/250 and 1/125 IU of insulin is administered. On the 2nd day, a solution containing 1/100, 1/50 and 1/12 IU of insulin is administered at the same intervals. On the 3rd day - 1/4, 1/2, 1 and 2 units of insulin. On the 4th day, the insulin dose is gradually adjusted to a therapeutically effective level. Rapid hyposensitization begins with a dose of 0.02-0.04 BD, increasing it by 2 times every 2-3 hours. If the next dose caused a local allergic reaction, then repeat the previous dose several times. Another scheme for administering insulin can be used: subcutaneously in high dilutions 4-6 times a day (or every 30 minutes) with a gradual, over several days, increasing the dose to the required therapeutic dose (0.1 ml saline solution sodium chloride dissolves short-acting insulin in concentrations - 0.001, 0.002, 0.004, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.1, 0.5, 1 BD).
If vital signs If there is no insulin therapy, then hyposensitization is carried out slowly. The dose of insulin, starting from 1/1000-1/10000 units, is adjusted to a therapeutic dose over a period of 10 days to 2-3 months.
If desensitization is ineffective, purified pork insulin and human insulin must be used with glucocorticoids (especially during emergency insulin therapy). Insulin is administered in small doses with 2 mg of hydrocortisone in one syringe intramuscularly or instead of hydrocortisone orally, mg of prednisolone is given per day for 2-3 weeks, followed by a dose reduction. During desensitization, it is not recommended to administer antihistamines and glucocorticoids unless there are signs of anaphylaxis. If pronounced sensitivity to insulin is maintained, desensitization is stopped.