What Causes Painfully Red Blisters Below The Knees While Taking Diabetes Medication?

Posted on Sat, 21 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 21 Jan 2017 Answered on

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a red rash on both legs below the knee. It is heavily blistered and has very red areas that are paiiful to the touch. I am a type 2 diabetic and have recently been put onTRESIBA. I HAVE READ THEIR INFO on their reactions. This problem is not highlighted as such. I am also on a smaller dosage of HUMULOG. Is this an interaction? HELP.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It can be due to drug side effects but not likely an interaction

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.

First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through. Based on the history you have shared, it seems less likely to be a drug interaction as usual approach is to mix long acting insulin with intermediate or short acting like in your case however the tresiba or degludec insulin can cause skin rash or such utricarial reactions however a detailed evaluation by a dermatologist is recommended to rule out any other skin lesion if infective etiology as diabetes itself is immunocompromised state and makes a person prone to viral or fungal infections.

Meanwhile using anti histamines like cetrizine or loratidine may help with itching and analgesics or anti inflammatory drugs like i

buprofen may help with inflammation and pains. Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T