HEALTH

Tips on How to Administer Your Own Insulin Injections

If you or a loved one is one of the over 30 million people in the United States that live with Diabetes, you’re likely no stranger to having to constantly check your blood sugar and administer your own insulin injections.

Frequenting the doctor and pharmacists can sometimes feel like ‘more of the same’ when dealing with Diabetes and can become a tedious job. If you’ve been avoiding getting an insulin pump because you don’t want to deal with even MORE injections, that doesn’t mean you need to!

Managing diabetes doesn’t have to feel painful and unmanageable anymore.

Keep reading for a simple and effective method to inject insulin that is easy to do at home!

Wash Your Hands

Before administering your insulin injection, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water. You will also need to clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. It is important to make sure that the injection site is clean in order to avoid infection. Once the injection site is clean, you can proceed with your insulin injection.

Choose an Injection Site

Insulin injections are usually given subcutaneously, which means they are injected into the fatty tissue just below the skin. The best sites for insulin injections are the areas of the body where there is a good layer of fat below the skin, such as the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms. The injection site should be clean and free of any bumps, bruises, or scars.

Insert the Needle at a 90-Degree Angle

Next, pinch the skin at the injection sites and insert the needle at a 90-degree angle. Release the skin and inject the insulin. Then, remove the needle and apply pressure to the injection site with a cotton ball.

Store Your Insulin

It is important to store your insulin in a cool, dry place. Insulin shots should never be stored in the refrigerator. You should also avoid storing insulin in places where the temperature may fluctuate, such as in a car.

If you are using a prefilled insulin pen, be sure to store it in the pen until you are ready to use it. Insulin pens should not be stored in the refrigerator.

Insulin Side Effects

Watch for side effects. Insulin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), so it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels. If you experience hypoglycemia, treat it with sugar or food right away. Other potential side effects include weight gain, skin changes, and headaches.

Don’t worry if you experience mild side effects like redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. These should go away within a few days. If you experience any severe side effects, such as difficulty breathing, fainting, or dizziness, seek medical help immediately.

Make sure to research more info on how to administer your own insulin injections.

Effective Insulin Injections Technique

Now that you know how to administer your own insulin injections, you can take control of your health and diabetes. Be sure to always follow the tips listed in this article to make sure proper injection technique and insulin absorption. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you enjoyed this diabetes blog, be sure to check our blog daily for more helpful posts.

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