Every insulin injection plays a crucial role in the life of every person with diabetes out there – it helps to regulate blood glucose levels in the body. In this way, an individual can avoid numerous health complications and control any type of diabetic problem that can develop over time. In order for the treatment to be successful, certain rules should be followed during every administration session, and injection site rotation is one of them.
The thing is, if the area of administration is not switched regularly, it may lead to irritations that can later transform into lipo or insulin hypertrophy. It’s characterized by small bumps and lumps under the skin and may cause painful sensations in the target spot and negatively influence the aesthetic look of the area in general. Let’s discuss how to rotate injection sites in diabetes management and look closely at some common recommendations regarding this process.
A perfect spot to inject insulin
The first thing every diabetic patient should remember is that only insulin injections of the highest quality should be used during the treatment to make sure it’s effective and safe. And even though most diabetic products are far from affordable and can sometimes be out of someone’s budget, there is a way to purchase all needed medications without spending all the spending on them. Nowadays, more and more people choose to buy Canadian insulin online, as it’s much more affordable, even after including the shipping price. So, mind that when making your final decision.
Speaking about injecting insulin, it is meant to be administered into the fatty tissue to ensure the body gradually absorbs the medicine. Not to mention that these areas are located above the muscles and have just a few nerves, so it’s the safest option when it comes to injection sessions. What target spots are the most suitable for this purpose?
- Abdomen. This variant is perfect for people with a proper layer of body fat on their stomach, so individuals with low body mass and children may find it quite uncomfortable. Choose the spot at least two fingers’ length away from the belly button. Overall, this area is one of the most comfortable ones because of its size, location, and fewer muscles compared to other available zones;
- The upper arm (back of the arms). An important thing to remember is that the product shouldn’t be administered to the shoulder; the back of the arms, on the other hand, has a proper fat layer so that the process can be performed quickly and without any unwanted complications;
- Upper buttocks (also known as “love handles”). this area has the thickest layer of fat but may be quite tricky to inject into it on your own. Sometimes, assistance may be needed to perform the administration properly. This is the best option for thin people and children, as the fat layer there may be squeezed to make the injection process easier;
- The outer side of the thighs. It is essential to use insulin on the outer thighs instead of the inner parts because, if the product is administered there, rubbing during walking may cause irritation and make even the most effortless movements quite uncomfortable. Don’t administer the remedy to the areas close to bones (for example, near the knees).
It is better to avoid injecting insulin medications into the areas where muscles are concentrated in order not to hurt a person.
How to choose the best site for insulin administration?
In the diabetes care routine, the best spot for insulin administration is usually defined based on the type of insulin prescribed for a patient’s needs. The thing is, the body absorbs insulin dose differently based on where it’s injected; that’s why you should remember this:
- The fastest medicine absorption is in the abdomen;
- A little slower – in the upper arm;
- Much slower is in the thighs;
- The slowest insulin absorption is in the buttocks.
How to understand if I need to rotate sites?
Some common signs that insulin injection sites should be switched are changes in the skin surface (color, texture, etc.), numbness in the target zone, and trouble maintaining blood sugar on the average level.
The following negative changes may be noticed on the skin surface when the administration spot is not altered regularly:
- Fat atrophy – a skin deep with a firm texture;
- Lipodystrophy – hard lumps usually formed under the skin. Sometimes, they are referred to as fat scars;
- Lipo or insulin hypertrophy – bumps and lumps are developed under the skin, so its surface becomes uneven and bumpy. It’s usually caused by the incorrect injection technique or when you reuse needles. Switching the administration area and using a new needle every time should be enough to avoid this problem.
Remember: If you see a bruise in the injection spot, wait for it to disappear before administering insulin again. Ideally, the area for the injection should be switched after every remedy usage. However, we recommend discussing it with a doctor to make sure everything is planned correctly.
How to inject insulin correctly?
In order to avoid different unpleasant conditions during the insulin injection, it is highly recommended to follow a correct injection technique and general administration tips to make sure any complications won’t follow the process.
First of all, the remedy should be a room temperature during the injection, so it is better to take the vial out of the refrigerator before using it. Don’t shake the vial; just roll it gently between your hands for a few seconds. If the solution is cloudy and has small particles of an unknown nature, it is better to pick another vial and not use this one.
All supplies should be sterile; if the vial was already used before, it is better to wipe the stopper on top with alcohol. Don’t forget to tap the syringe gently to remove all the air bubbles before the injection.
Clean the target area with alcohol; insert the needle at a 90-degree angle and gently push the plunger down. Remove it slowly, and don’t rub the injection spot to avoid irritation. After the procedure is finished, the needle and syringe should be appropriately disposed.
To sum up
Rotating insulin injection spots is important to avoid irritation that can later transform into more complicated issues. It is highly recommended to administer the product to the fatty tissue because it has a lower risk of being hurt. The technique of the administration is also crucial, so it is better to consult with a doctor about it. A nurse in the hospital can show you the right way to use insulin, so the chance of possible irritations is much lower.
