Are you a regular user of injections? Or does someone in your family use injections for a disease like diabetes? Then sometimes you may have noticed that small lumps appear under the skin where the injections were given. That's what we're going to talk about today. We call this condition `Lipohypertrophy` . There's nothing to worry about, but it's important to be aware of this.
What is `Lipohypertrophy`?
Simply put, `Lipohypertrophy` is a lump that forms under the skin due to repeated injections in the same area. It looks like a small ball. When you touch this lump, it may feel a little hard, rubbery, or lumpy. Also, there may be a slight numbness or lack of sensation in that area.
Who is more likely to develop `Lipohypertrophy`?
Now let's see who is most likely to develop this condition called `Lipohypertrophy`.
This is most often seen in people with diabetes, as they have to take insulin injections daily, sometimes several times a day. Also, people with HIV can develop this condition because they continue to take certain medications in the form of injections.
There are several factors that further increase this risk:
- Not changing the injection site frequently and continuing to inject in the same place. This is the main reason. Some people use insulin pumps, and this same problem can occur if the cannula (small tube) of the pump is not changed frequently.
- Having a low body mass index (BMI). This means that people who are generally thin are at slightly higher risk.
- Reusing needles. A needle should only be used once. Reusing a needle a second time can lead to problems like these and can even lead to infections.
- Using some types of human insulin instead of synthetic insulin (analog insulin). Some studies have shown that people using some types of human insulin have a slightly higher risk. But it's best to talk to your doctor about this.
How common is `Lipohypertrophy`?
You might be thinking, "Oh, is this something that only happens to me?" Well, it's not. This condition, called ``Lipohypertrophy,'' is very common among people with diabetes. According to some reports, about 64% of people with diabetes, or more than sixty-four percent, have developed these lumps at some point in their lives or may develop them.
How does `Lipohypertrophy` affect our body?
It's not just the lumps that are causing the problem. Lipohypertrophy can also change the way your body absorbs insulin. As you know, insulin is a very important hormone that controls our body's metabolism and treats diabetes.
Now imagine what would happen if you injected insulin into an area where there is a `Lipohypertrophy` lump. Then the absorption of that insulin into the body could either be slower than expected, or faster than expected. This is a big problem. Because if that happens:
- Blood sugar levels can suddenly become very high (Hyperglycemia).
- Blood sugar levels can suddenly drop too low (hypoglycemia). This is also dangerous and can lead to fainting and even loss of consciousness.
- Sometimes, a dangerous condition called `Diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA)` can develop due to diabetes. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
- You may need to increase the amount of insulin you take per day because the medicine is not absorbed properly.
- The results of the `Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) test`, which is done every few months to check how well your diabetes is being controlled, may worsen (meaning your `A1c` level may increase).
Simply put, no matter how hard you try to control your diabetes, you may not be able to do so properly due to these `Lipohypertrophy` bumps. Therefore, it is very important to take care of this.
What causes `Lipohypertrophy`?
As we have already said, the main cause of lipohypertrophy is the continuous injection of insulin or other drugs into the same area of the skin. This can happen if you leave the same area for too long, even when you are giving insulin with insulin pumps.
When you inject the same area repeatedly, fat, protein, and scar tissue start to accumulate in that area. It has also been found that the fat cells in areas with lipohypertrophy are about twice as large as normal fat cells. That is why these lumps sometimes appear larger.
What does `Lipohypertrophy` look like? How does it feel?
Most often, these `Lipohypertrophy` lumps are seen on the stomach or thighs . Because those are the places most people choose to get injections. These lumps can come in all sizes. Some are as small as a golf ball, while others can be as big as a clenched fist.
Here's how they look and feel to the touch:
- It may feel a little tighter and firmer than the surrounding skin.
- It may feel like lumps or lumps .
- A little bit of peeling may be visible on the surface of the skin.
- It may feel like a piece of rubber .
- There may be a swelling .
- The skin in that area may feel thicker than it was before .
The most important thing is that in areas with `Lipohypertrophy`, there is often little or no sensation, or even numbness. That's why some people are tempted to deliberately inject into those areas, because it hurts less. But please don't do that. Doing so will only make the lump bigger and make it harder to control diabetes.
Does `Lipohypertrophy` spread?
Lipohypertrophy is not a disease that spreads from one place to another. However, if you keep injecting in the same place, the lump in that place can get bigger over time. Also, new lumps can form in other places where you inject, if you don't change the places and use the same method.
How do you know if you have `Lipohypertrophy`?
The most important thing is to recognize this early. Only then can we fix the problem before it gets worse and prevent side effects.
You can check your skin regularly, especially before giving an injection or before inserting the cannula of your insulin pump, and feel it carefully to see if there is any change.
Also, every time you go to see your doctor, show him/her where you get your injections and have him/her check them. It's very easy for a doctor to recognize if you have `Lipohypertrophy`. They will:
- Looking at that lump.
- You're looking at that right hand.
- We'll talk to you about how you're going to inject, and whether or not to change places.
What are the treatments for `Lipohypertrophy`?
There is no specific treatment for `Lipohypertrophy`. The best thing to do is to stop injecting into the area where the lump is for at least two to three months. It is not a good idea to inject into that area until the area has returned to normal and the skin has returned to normal.
However, sometimes if these fat deposits are very severe, you can also consider a type of plastic surgery called ``Liposuction``. This means that the excess fat is removed through surgery. Also, doctors may recommend surgery to remove lumps that are not getting better or are very bothersome.
How to reduce the development of `Lipohypertrophy`?
This is the most important part. There are many things we can do to prevent the development of `Lipohypertrophy`.
- Change the site with each injection. If you are using an insulin pump, change the site every two to three days.
- Do not reuse injection needles. Use one needle only once.
- Plan out some places to inject or pump. For example, if you're in the stomach, you can alternate between the right side, the left side, the top, and the bottom. Make a plan and do it that way.
- Every time you go to see the doctor, show him where you get your injections and where you pump.
- Before giving the injection or before inserting the pump cannula, feel the skin in that area carefully. See if you can feel or see anything different, like a lump.
- Keep a record of where you inject and pump. You can do this on a chart, calendar, or even an app on your phone. This will help you avoid injecting the same spot again too quickly.
- Leave at least a finger's width between injection sites. If using a pump, leave about three fingers' width apart.
Will `Lipohypertrophy` get better?
Yes, the skin that has developed `Lipohypertrophy` can heal. But it can take months, sometimes years. The most important thing is that you should not get any injections in that area until the area is completely healed.
Can `Lipohypertrophy` recur?
Yes, this condition can recur. It can recur in the same place, or it can develop in a new place. This is especially true if you don't change your injection sites often, or if you reuse injection needles .
How do I take care of myself?
If you have a lump on your skin that you think may be `Lipohypertrophy`, stop injecting into that area immediately. Even if you feel a little pain when injecting in another area, be sure to change the location. Because if you continue to inject into an area with `Lipohypertrophy`, the lump will get bigger, it will interfere with the absorption of insulin into the body, and it will also cause serious side effects.
When should you seek medical advice?
If you notice anything unusual on your skin, especially if you are having trouble controlling your blood sugar levels, be sure to talk to a doctor.
A `lipohypertrophy` lump usually does not show these symptoms:
- Feeling hot to the touch.
- The one that is red.
- The one that's blue and looks like crushed stone.
- The one that hurts.
If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately, as they could be a sign of an infection or another serious problem.
Things to remember in brief
Okay, so I hope you have a good understanding of `Lipohypertrophy` that we talked about today.
Simply put, `Lipohypertrophy` is the fatty lumps that form under the skin when you continuously inject into the same area.
If you are someone who regularly takes injections like insulin for diabetes or another disease, be sure to change the injection site frequently. Also , do not use the injection needle more than once. If you notice any changes or lumps on your skin, do not be afraid to talk to your doctor. Remember, by being aware of this and following it properly, we can prevent this condition to a large extent and control it if it occurs. Good health to all of you!
` lipohypertrophy, insulin, diabetes, vaccinations, skin lumps, injections, skin health
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