The scent of a diabetic
August 22, 2006 at 1:45 pm | Posted in The Sweet Life | 29 CommentsThose who know me well, know that I can spend a long time struggling to find the right word.
I just changed my reservoir, and realized that while I would know that distinctive insulin smell ANYWHERE, I can not think of words to describe it. So – no cheating – don’t read other people’s comments first – how would you describe that unique fragrance? You don’t have to be a PWD to answer this – family members and health care folks (mermaid!) are welcome too!
P.S. Thanks for the resume suggestions!
29 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a reply to Vivian Cancel reply
The Sweet Life
-
-
Blog at WordPress.com.
Entries and comments feeds.
Artificially Sweetened 
IMHO- I think it has the clinical smell you find in a hospital or nursing home only fresher. So in one word…clinicky?
Comment by Vivian— August 22, 2006 #
I think pungent. Like something burning, maybe plastic.
Comment by Beanie Baby— August 22, 2006 #
Ugh, I hate the smell–I generally says it has a funky tang.
My husband can’t seem to smell it, I on the other hand can tell in a second when he’s dropped ANOTHER insulun bottle (even after he thinks he cleaned it up so well!). Good luck on the job front!
Comment by Journeywoman— August 22, 2006 #
I a most reminded of sticking your nose in a box of band-aids….
Comment by Val— August 22, 2006 #
A band aid, hands down.
Comment by Sandra Miller— August 22, 2006 #
Elastoplast!
Comment by Caro— August 22, 2006 #
band aids
Comment by Kassie— August 22, 2006 #
metal mixed with band-aids.
Is it sad that I actually had to sniff my pump? LOL
Oh, and don’t EVER drop and break a bottle.
Comment by Sarah— August 22, 2006 #
I didn’t even read down and I got band-aids!!
Ok, so I’m in desperate need of some excitement. 🙂
Comment by Sarah— August 22, 2006 #
Like metal. It’s the zinc they use as a ?preservative for the insulin, I think.
Comment by Noelle— August 22, 2006 #
Oh, that’s tough.
That redolent substance is surely unmistakable, though I don’t have a good recall for such sensory things.
I’ve actually just closed my office door, disconnected from my pump and delivered a fixed prime to check it again (how wasteful, I know).
I can’t really pin a word on it, either. Kinda like a strong anti-septic of some sort mixed with a mint scent, though certainly not pleasant.
And it tastes even worse than it smells (Don’t ask. I have no idea how I ever ended up with some in my mouth before, but it has left a serious impression).
Comment by Kevin— August 22, 2006 #
The sharply sweet smell of life or insulodorous?
Comment by Jane— August 22, 2006 #
Two words: Dentist’s office.
I’ve had confirmation from family members, friends, fellow diabetics, and every boyfriend I’ve ever had.
Oh, and from my dentist, too.
Comment by Kerri.— August 22, 2006 #
Funny, Kerri, that our resident dentist doesn’t share your opinion…
I am stunned by all the bandaid opinions. I have never smelt any similarity between insulin and bandaids.
Comment by art-sweet— August 22, 2006 #
I think it’s the old kind of band aid. They smelled different when I was little. Or maybe my nose worked differently then.
You have a resident dentist? Pili? I suppose she helps you keep up with your flossing…
Art, thanks for your comment on my blog the other day. I would love to meet you anytime.
Well, not anytime. But at many possible times. You know what I mean. Feel free to mail me.
Comment by Violet— August 22, 2006 #
A mixture of nailpolish remover, turpentine, oil of clove and yeah, the dentist’s office
Comment by Minnesota Nice— August 22, 2006 #
I don’t recall smelling it to be honest! I only use pretty large amounts of it at a time too, so you’d think that I would recall, but the only kind we use where I work is Actrapid so maybe that one in particular doesn’t smell strong? We draw up 50 units at a time into a 50 ml syringe with saline to run as an infusion with hourly BSL’s on a big infusion pump thing. Those poor little bleedy fingers on the patients!
Comment by mermaidgrrrl— August 23, 2006 #
Hospitals come to mind at first. But I can see the band-aid reference. I am remined of a particular one – the one that really sticks to your skin, more material than plastic? But hospitals, and sick people definitely…
Comment by justme— August 23, 2006 #
Band-aids. The stuff smells like Band-aids. Now let me see if anyone else said that, too.
Comment by Lyrehca— August 23, 2006 #
Another vote for band-aid.
Comment by Scott K. Johnson— August 23, 2006 #
A STRONG rubbing alcohol smell. Very hard to describe. ok maybe not rubbing alcohol but something. Hmm I can’t put my finger on it.
STRONG!!!
Comment by Flmgodog— August 23, 2006 #
Band-aids. That’s what it smells like to me.
Comment by julia— August 23, 2006 #
And I didn’t read ahead.
Comment by julia— August 23, 2006 #
Without looking at anyone elses suggestions: my guess of what insulin smells like is rubbing alchol mixed with “hospital smell”.
Comment by Robert— August 23, 2006 #
To me it smells like old people.
It’s funny because I’m always asking people if they smell me. Everyone always says no, but I can smell it.
-Stella
Comment by stella— August 24, 2006 #
Like old stinky medical tape the plastic kind…. you bought it like 15 years ago at the dime store (which doesn’t even exist anymore) and now you are trying to use it to put on a bandage…ick stinky!
Comment by Jennifer— August 25, 2006 #
Burning bandaids is what I always think of. Not that I have ever burnt a bandaid.
Comment by Megan— August 25, 2006 #
Band-Aids
Not the generic brand
Band-Aid Band-Aids
Both David and I agree.
And, no I did not read ahead 🙂
Comment by Elizabeth— August 30, 2006 #
bandaids. definitely. my friends think so too. and i promise i had that in mind before i read the other comments.
Comment by Jeff— December 15, 2006 #