Type 1 diabetes may onset when there is a genetic predisposition to diabetes and an environmental exposure to a trigger that causes a type II antibody-dependent cytotoxic hypersensitivity (see chart below) response. Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that can result from several things including a type II hypersensitivity (see chart below).
Although the rate of common type 1 allergies is not necessarily more common in persons with diabetes other autoimmune disorders which can result from hypersensitivity are more commonly seen in persons with diabetes.
People who take insulin are more likely to be allergic to the older, less-frequently used animal insulins. However, there are rare cases where a person can be allergic to the new, synthetic insulins. It is more likely that a person may be allergic to a buffering agent added to intermediate or longer acting insulins that to the insulin itself.
Sometimes, a person may appear to have an allergic reaction to insulin when it may in fact be an allergy to latex. Latex is found in many syringes, the rubber stoppers on most insulin vials, and even in some adhesive strips.
For those that may have an allergy to buffering agents, insulin pump therapy may be advisable. Rapid acting insulin like Novolog needs to be taken every few hours and is best administered via an insulin pump.
Note: IOH founder's daughter, Elizabeth, has an allergy to insulin buffering agents but is now doing fine on rapid insulin and an insulin pump.
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