I have always found helpful info here. My daughter has been using the tandem pump for aprox. 4 months and I am wondering if anyone has tips on helping with the healing of a site after it has been removed. She usually has a red bump which is small and does not heal fully for approx 6 days but I know they do bother her the way they look and since she is a teen who want to wear shorts and bathing suites. I will try anything that may work.Thanks for the help.
1 Like
I’ve had my tandem pump for 2 years and I’m teen girl who does lots of swimming and sailing and other water related activities. To your daughter: no one will notice those little spots. From a distance they’re invisible or just look like freckles (if someone is just staring directly at you, which would be really weird.) Most people just aren’t interested or paying that much attention. A birthmark, scar, or CGM is FAR more noticeable.
I’ve found those bumps helpful because then I can see where my last couple of sites have been and know not to put new ones too close.
As for tips… I don’t do anything special after removing a site besides making sure that it’s clean. I’ve heard of people using bandaids, disinfectant, and all kinds of healing ointments that you would usually use for a scrape or scab. I’ve never tried any of that so I can’t vouch for them working or not. The spots tend to fade within a month and they do look… not super normal. But again, I’ve noticed that no one cares but me 
Just be careful when shaving (if you shave your skin before inserting a site so that it sticks better) because you don’t want to shave the little scabs off if you’ve recently removed a site (been there, done that, not the end of the world but not pleasant).
Good luck!
4 Likes
Great wisdom from @6yGodsGr . If your daughter is really concerned about how they will show on her skin, try raw shea butter. My husband is from West Africa and swears by it for lots of things, including skin care. You can get lotion with shea butter in it but like many things the product in its natural form seems to work best. It comes in tubs and you can probably find it in international markets.
1 Like
Brook @bltfamily1, sad to say, from your daughter’s perspective, those horrid little red bumps are nature’s way for self-healing; smaller than the “red” that might appear than following an abrasion. I’m in my 5th year using Tandem stuff following almost 15 years of other infusion sets and stil occasionally notice the red bumps for a few days after removal. The “teen perspective” offered by Lise @6yGodsGr was very much more fitting for you and your daughter than I could offer.
I will offer an observation - I most often see the red inflammation after removing “an ouch” cannula; one that I had bumped or tugged, or done something else to slight disrupt placement. Consider trying other places on her body, or if the scar is really bad consistently, experiment with one of the many other types of infusion sets.
2 Likes
After she tells them it is an insulin pump they will just be curious about that. No person’s body or skin is perfect. It just proves she is human!!
1 Like
I noticed recently that my daughter’s sites were healing faster after I had her start taking a daily Vit C for sickness prevention due to all the bugs going around at school, so I’ve had her continue it. Zinc also promotes skin healing. You may want to check with your doctor before trying them.
2 Likes
I use Medtronic infusion sets, however, I’ve looked at Tandem site and see it’s equivalent to those on Tandem. I use the Mini Mio. My infusion spot is barely visible after only an hour of removing it. I change it out after 2 and one half days and apply alcohol before I insert it and after I remove it. I also take vitamins and fish oil. I’d check with her pediatrician before taking any kind of supplement of course.
1 Like
My husband uses a skin prep pad before applying his infusions or Dexcom. He uses Skin Tac. Highly recommend as a skin barrier to prevent irritation. They peel right off too, which is amazing. One would think they would be harder to remove.
1 Like
Hi, my son has had tandem pump over a year now. I use Palmers cocoa butter in the tub from walmart. Rub 2 x a day if you csn. Skin looks immaculate. Good luck
1 Like
Encourage your daughter to clean the site thoroughly with soap and water before inserting a new site to prevent any infection.
1 Like