Where Can Insulin Be Injected

How Do I Prepare An Insulin Injection By Syringe

How to choose where to inject your insulin

Calculate your insulin dose .

Wash your hands.

Read the label on the insulin bottle to make sure you have the right type of insulin.

Clean the top of the insulin vial with alcohol.

Take the white cap off of the bottom of the syringe.

Take the orange cap off of the needle top.

Pull air into the syringe equal to the amount of insulin that you need to take .

Push the needle through the rubber stopper of the vial . Inject the air into the vial.

With the needle still in the vial, turn the vial and syringe upside down. Be sure the tip of the needle is in the insulin. Draw up the amount of insulin you need to inject .

Check the syringe for air bubbles. If bubbles are in the syringe, push the insulin back into the bottle of insulin. Draw up the needed amount of insulin again to inject.

Take the needle out of the bottle. You are now ready to give the injection.

How Do You Inject Insulin With A Syringe Step

You may take insulin using a syringe that you fill from a vial. Ask your doctor or nurse to show you how to do it correctly. Follow their directions carefully. Here is a step-by-step summary of how you inject insulin from a vial using a syringe and needle.

Wash your hands.

Take the plastic cover off the new insulin vial. Wipe the top of the bottle with an alcohol swab. Its best for insulin to be at room temperature before you inject it, this makes it less likely to sting.

Pull back the plunger of the syringe. This draws air into the syringe equal to the dose of insulin that you are taking. Then put the syringe needle through the rubber top of the insulin bottle. Inject air into the bottle by pushing the syringe plunger forward. Then turn the bottle with the needle still attached upside down.

Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the insulin. Pull back on the syringe plunger to draw the correct dose of insulin prescribed by your doctor into the syringe. The dose of insulin is measured in units.

If you want to, wipe the area of skin where you wish to inject the insulin into with an alcohol swab beforehand, and allow it to dry thoroughly. Grab a fold of skin and insert the needle into the folded skin at a 90-degree angle .

Slowly push the plunger of the syringe all the way in, and then leave the needle in the skin for 10 seconds

Remove the syringe. Throw the used syringe away in an approved sharps container and put the vial back in the refrigerator for later use.

Reasons To Avoid A Particular Site

If you develop lumps and bumps at injection sites, avoid the area of the bump for several months because that area will absorb insulin differently and this can affect your blood sugar levels.

In addition, avoid using sites where you plan on exercising, as this can increase the risk of hypoglycemia due to increased absorption.

Lastly, avoid injecting into moles or scar tissue, as these can also affect insulin absorption.

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Tips For Keeping Track Of Where You Injected Last Time

A great way to rotate sites and keep track of where you injected last is to set up a cycle. You can start from left to right or follow the pattern of a clock, giving yourself a 12-day cycle. Using a 12-day cycle gives sites time to recover before being used again. Make sure to move a few inches from your last site.

You may also want to download an insulin injection chart and make note of the areas you are using so that you can keep track and rotate accordingly.

Putting It All Together

Now that you know the how and why behind insulin dosing, lets consider how you may calculate your insulin needs.

Youll usually give yourself an insulin dose around your meals since thats when you take in carbohydrates. You also will typically check your blood sugar to see if youre meeting your premeal target dose.

To calculate your insulin needs:

Check your blood sugar level before a meal.

If your blood sugar level is in your target range, you do not need to calculate for extra insulin.

If your blood sugar level is higher than your target range , calculate how much insulin youll need. You should talk with your doctor about this, but usually, 1 unit will bring your levels down by 50 points.

Calculate the number of carbohydrates youre about to eat. You can usually estimate these using carbohydrate counters.

For every 10 grams of carbohydrates, give yourself 1 unit of insulin. Ask your doctor if this number may be different for you.

Add the number of units needed to adjust for both your target range and meal.

Administer the total units of insulin.

You may find that if you generally eat about the same amount of carbohydrates each day, you may be able to consistently inject the same amounts of insulin outside of special occasions. It takes time to find out how your body best responds to insulin.

Insulin Injection Sites: The Best Places To Inject

If you take insulin to manage your diabetes, you could be taking anywhere from 1 to 10 injections per day.

And where you inject your insulin matters not only because certain areas of the body are more ideal than others, but also because its important to use a variety of areas.

In this article, well discuss everything you need to know about insulin injection sites.

Proper and safe insulin injection technique

Into What Part Of My Body Should I Inject Insulin To Best Help My Diabetes

The abdomen is the most common site for injecting insulin For some people, this site is not suitable, and other sites must be used. These include the upper arms, the upper buttocks and the outside of the thigh.

All of these sites are most effective because they have a layer of fat to absorb the insulin better. This process directly injects insulin into the subcutaneous tissue. These areas also have fewer nerve endings, meaning that they are the least painful areas in which to inject.

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Get The Insulin Pen Ready

Check the label on the insulin pen to make sure you have the right insulin pen for the right time. For example, if youre eating, make sure you have your rapid acting insulin pen.

Pull the pen cap off the insulin pen . Place the pen cap on the table.

Figure 4. Pull the pen cap off the insulin pen

If youre using a cloudy insulin , mix the insulin by gently rolling the pen between your hands 10 times and then tipping the pen up and down 10 times. The insulin should look evenly white and cloudy with no lumps or particles. Keep mixing it until you dont see any clumps.

Wipe the rubber seal at the top of the insulin pen with an alcohol swab. Throw the alcohol swab away.

Take the protective tab off the new pen needle . Throw the tab away.

Figure 5. Take off the protective tab

Twist the pen needle onto the top of the insulin pen until it stops turning . Make sure to keep the pen needle straight as you twist it on.

Figure 6. Twist the pen needle onto the insulin pen

Take off the outer needle cap . Place it on the table.

Figure 7. Take off the outer needle cap

Pull off the inner needle cap . Throw it away.

Figure 8. Take off the inner needle cap.

Overcoming Fear Of Injections

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Injections may be hard for both you and your child. But there are things you can do to make it easier. To calm your childs fears:

Treat injections as normal and routine.
Ask about giving yourself a test injection with saline. That way you will know how an injection feels.
Praise your child for not delaying or making excuses. If your child needs to complain, give him or her time for that after the injection is over.
If your child is afraid of needles, ask his or her healthcare provider, nurse, or diabetes educator for help. For example, ask about devices that blocks your child’s view of needles.

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Is It Possible To Inject Insulin Through Clothing

There are several reasons why injecting insulin through clothing is a bad idea, however convenient it may seem. Both syringes and pens are lubricated in order to make them as painless as possible. Clothing can remove this lubricatio, meaning injections can be more painful.

Clothing is not sterile, and substances on the clothing may contaminate the needle and at its worst this can lead to infection. Furthermore, clothing can damage the effectiveness of the needle by dulling the tip.

Possibly most seriously, clothing restricts your view of the injection site, leaving the patient unaware of the effectiveness of their injection.

Dont Inject The Insulin Too Deep

Insulin is supposed to be injected into the fat layer under the skin using a short needle. This is referred to as a subcutaneous injection.

If you inject the insulin too deep and it enters your muscle, your body may absorb it too quickly. The insulin might not last very long, and the injection could be very painful.

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Signs Of A Low Blood Sugar Are:

Retesting your blood sugar in 15 minutes.

Repeat step 1 if your sugar is still less than 60 mg/dl.

Eating a snack or meal within 30 to 60 minutes after a low blood sugar.

If it is going to be longer than 30 to 60 minutes until your next meal or snack, you need to eat or drink an extra 15 grams of carbohydrate and a protein.

How To Give Insulin In The Arm With An Insulin Pen Or Syringe

Injecting insulin into the upper arm can be a bit tricky to do yourself but by using your knee you can create a pinched-up area of skin to inject into. If you find this difficult, for example, if you dont have much loose skin on your arms, it may be best to choose a different injection site, such as your stomach or thigh, or ask somebody else to hold up an area of pinched skin and give your injection for you. The same method can be used whether you are using a syringe or an insulin pen.

If you want to, wipe the area of skin where you wish to inject the insulin into with an alcohol swab beforehand, and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Sit on the ground and bend your knee, then allow your upper arm to rest on your knee so that it creates a pinch-up area in the fatty tissue at the back of your arm.

Insert the needle from the syringe all the way into the skin at a 90-degree angle . If you are using an insulin pen, take the cap off the pen and hold the base of the pen firmly against the skin.

Slowly push the plunger of the syringe all the way in, and then leave the needle in the skin for 10 seconds. If you are using a pen, while holding the base against the skin, push down on the injection button. You will hear a loud click. This will insert the needle and start the injection. Keep holding the pen against your skin until you hear a second click in about 5 to 10 seconds.

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When To Throw Away Your Insulin Pens

Youll use the same insulin pen over and over for a certain number of days. The number of days depends on the type of insulin pen youre using. The table below lists some common types of insulin pens and the number of days you can use each one. You can also read the instructions that come with your insulin pens.

Insulin Type

Whenever you start using a new insulin pen:

Count ahead the number of days you can use the insulin pen. Start from the day you first put a pen needle on that new pen.

Write that date on a piece of paper tape and put the tape on the pen. This will help you always easily see when you need to throw away the insulin pen and start using a new one. If you dont have paper tape, write the date on a piece of paper and tape the paper to the pen.

Once you get to the date written on the tape or paper, throw away the insulin pen, even if theres still insulin left. Start using a new insulin pen.

For example, if you start using a Lantus SoloStar insulin pen on January 1st, count ahead 28 days to January 28th. Write January 28 on a piece of paper tape and put the paper tape on the pen. Throw away the pen on January 28th, even if theres still insulin in it.

You can keep unused insulin pens in the refrigerator until the expiration date listed on the pen label. Once an insulin pen reaches the expiration date listed on the pen label, throw it away.

Does My Injection Site Affect How Quickly Insulin Is Absorbed

Your injection site does affect how quickly your body absorbs insulin. Insulin is absorbed fastest in the abdomen, then in the arms, thighs and buttocks. Massaging the area around the injection site speeds up absorption and is not recommended. If youre planning to exercise after your insulin shot, dont inject into an area thats going to be active — dont inject into your thigh if youre going to jog, for example. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about where to inject insulin. Continue Learning about Insulin Videos Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.Continue reading > >

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Do Tell Friends And Family That Youre Taking Insulin

Its a good idea to teach your friends, colleagues, and family members about insulin and its potential side effects. If you do end up taking too much insulin and having a hypoglycemic episode, they should know how to help.

If you become unconscious, a friend or family member can give you a shot of glucagon. Talk with your doctor about keeping a supply of glucagon on hand and learning when and how to use it.

How Much Insulin To Take Per Carb

How to do an Insulin Injection

The average person will take about 1 unit of insulin for every 12 to 15 grams of carbohydrates consumed.

There is some variation to this, depending on how sensitive you are to insulin. For some people, this range is 1 unit for every 6 grams of carbohydrates, while for others, its 1 unit for every 30 grams of carbohydrates.

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How To Give Insulin In The Thigh With An Insulin Pen Or Syringe

Injecting insulin into the thigh is easy, and the same method can be used whether you are using a syringe or an insulin pen.

If you want to, wipe the area of skin where you wish to inject the insulin into with an alcohol swab beforehand, and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Sit down on a chair or the floor and relax your legs. Pinch up an area of skin on the outer thigh with the hand that isnt holding the needle.

Insert the needle from the syringe all the way into the skin at a 90-degree angle . If you are thin, you may find it better to insert the needle at a 45-degree angle. If you are using an insulin pen, take the cap off the pen and hold the base of the pen firmly against the skin.

Remove the syringe or pen. Throw the used syringe away in an approved sharps container and recap the pen for later use.

Press on the area where you injected for a few seconds. Do not rub.

Where Do I Inject Insulin

Insulin is injected just under the skin. The easiest way to do this is to pinch up a fold of skin using your thumb and forefinger if you are injecting into your stomach or thigh area, or use your knee to create a pinched up area if you are injecting into your upper, outer arm. More detailed instructions are below. Your healthcare professional can also show you how to do it.

Insulin is injected into the less sensitive layer of fatty tissue just under the skin, so it should not hurt too much, but may sting or burn a little. You are not injecting insulin into a muscle or vein.

To keep your skin from thickening or getting lumpy, try not to inject in the exact same spot. Instead, rotate injection places.

Do not share needles, pens, or syringes with others. Do NOT reuse needles.

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