Insulin allergy is a rare but serious condition. It can cause a rash, swelling or itching at the injection site. It can also lead to anaphylactic shock, making it necessary to have treatment in an intensive care unit. It may occur immediately or after an injection. It is possible to have allergic reactions to insulin and other additives in insulin preparations.
The symptoms of insulin allergies can be severe, and can include a rash, swelling, burning, itching, redness and/or hives. However, they can also be less severe. For example, a localized insulin allergy can cause a rash at the injection site without requiring hospitalization. The rash may not be life-threatening, but it is still important to have it treated. Medications, such as steroids, may be used to treat the condition. The first step in treating an insulin allergy is to confirm the diagnosis with skin testing.
A person with insulin allergy may experience symptoms within an hour after an insulin injection. These symptoms can range from mild itching to serious anaphylactic shock. There are many factors that can increase the risk of an allergic reaction, such as the number of amino acids added to insulin. An insulin allergic reaction can also be caused by an allergic response to preservatives, additives or the insulin molecule itself. Usually, a patient with insulin allergy is prescribed oral antihistamines and corticosteroids to reduce the allergic response.
Although the risk of developing an insulin allergy is low, it can affect as many as 0.1 percent of insulin-treated diabetics. Insulin is the cornerstone of type 1 diabetes therapy, and most people cannot make their own insulin. While there are ways to control the amount of insulin that someone needs, there is not a way to produce your own.
An insulin allergy can develop after a person is exposed to one of the additives in insulin, which can vary from glycerin, zinc, metacresol, protamine, and meta-cresol. Depending on the severity of the allergy, treatment can include desensitization, switching to human insulin, or switching to an insulin analogue. The best treatment option for an insulin allergy is to discuss it with your doctor.
Insulin allergy is generally considered to be a type I hypersensitivity. This type of reaction is caused by a positive IgE antibody to the insulin molecule. It is more likely to affect a child than an adult. It is most common in Type I diabetes, but can also occur in other types of diabetes. Unlike a person with type II hypersensitivity, a person with Type IV hypersensitivity can’t turn off the allergic reaction to insulin. The reaction to the insulin can worsen after a new insulin injection.
It is unclear if an insulin allergy is related to genetics. There are cases where it was associated with a family member’s previous T1D, but it does not necessarily lead to the same level of anaphylactic shock. A recent study found that biphasic insulin aspart 30 alleviated the allergy.
