[Insulin allergy: background, diagnosis and treatment].

- An allergic reaction develops in 2.4% of patients that use insulin. This ranges in severity from erythema and pruritus to life-threatening anaphylaxis. - Allergic reactions to insulin usually occur within a few hours after an injection and are usually due to a local or systemic type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction. - Despite considerable research into the immunogenicity of insulin, this has not yet been clarified completely and allergic reactions to insulin still occur. - A systematic diagnostic approach is essential for an adequate treatment plan. A blood test for anti-insulin antibodies and intradermal skin tests are of great importance. - There are many options available for the treatment of insulin allergy and each patient must therefore be evaluated individually.