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Should you rotate injection sites for insulin?
You should always rotate injection sites regardless of how you give the insulin: pen, syringe or insulin pump. If you use the same small area many times, the fat tissue below the skin sometimes swells, a condition called lipohypertrophy.
How often should you rotate insulin injection sites?
Always use a new injection site. Do not inject into the same site repeatedly. Avoid using a single injection site more than once every four weeks.
Where do diabetics inject themselves?
A person can administer insulin injections into the abdomen, upper arm, thigh, lower back, hips, or buttocks. Take into account comfort, as injections into some sites can cause pain. Be sure to inject into a pinch of tissue and consider the different methods for injection at each site.
What happens if you don’t rotate injection sites?
People who take insulin daily should rotate their injection sites. This is important because using the same spot over time can cause lipodystrophy. In this condition, fat either breaks down or builds up under the skin, causing lumps or indentations that interfere with insulin absorption.
Why should you alternate injection sites?
By using a new site every time, you inject, you will reduce the risk of developing lipo (fatty lumps) and will give your skin a chance to heal. You should never inject into damaged tissue like scars or existing lipos because it can change the way your diabetes medication is absorbed.
What does it mean to rotate injection sites?
Moving the place you give your shots is called site rotation. Rotating sites means following a regular pattern as you move your shots from site to site. This is important in order to avoid a build-up of fatty tissue which can occur when shots are always given in the same place.
Can you inject insulin in your thigh?
You can rotate to different areas of your abdomen, keeping injection sites about an inch apart. Or you can inject insulin into other parts of your body, including your thigh, arm, and buttocks.
How do you give yourself an insulin shot in the arm?
How do I inject the insulin with a syringe?
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Clean the skin where you will inject the insulin.
- Grab a fold of your skin.
- Insert the needle straight into your skin.
- Push down on the plunger to inject the insulin.
- Pull out the needle.
- Throw away your used insulin syringe as directed.
Where on the thigh do you inject insulin?
Upper Outer Thigh – The top and outer area of the thigh is the best area to inject insulin. Leave at least 4 inches above the knee & at least 4 inches down from the top of the leg. Avoid injecting into your inner thigh – That region has fewer blood vessels and nerves.
Where do you inject insulin into your body?
The site should be between the waist and the hipbones about 2 inches away from the belly button. Avoid injecting near any scar tissue on the abdomen. The upper arm is another possible site for insulin injection. Place the needle into the tricep area at the back of the arm, about halfway between the elbow and the shoulder.
How do you rotate an insulin injection?
Rotating Injections at the Same Site. Inject along the clock so you remember where to inject the next dose of insulin Switch sides within a given area. If you inject your nighttime insulin into the right side of the abdomen on one night, inject it on the left side of your abdomen on the next night.
Is it better to inject insulin in the arm or legs?
Charity Diabetes UK warn that the arm may not always be a suitable injection for people with less body fat [25] as there is a greater chance of injecting into a muscle which could lead to hypoglycemia. To have consistent absorption of insulin, it’s recommended to inject in the same general area of the body for the same type of meal.
Why do insulin injections need to be done in different spots?
This is important because using the same spot over time can cause lipodystrophy. In this condition, fat either breaks down or builds up under the skin, causing lumps or indentations that interfere with insulin absorption. You can rotate to different areas of your abdomen, keeping injection sites about an inch apart.