How to Inject Insulin?

How to Inject Insulin?

Insulin therapy is a part of treatment for some people living with Type 2 Diabetes and for all individuals with Type 1 Diabetes. Perhaps you are newer to injecting insulin or using an insulin infusion set, or maybe you just need a refresher on this topic. You may be asking, where do I begin? Where's the best place to inject myself? Is it going to hurt? What do I do with the needles? Don’t worry. This part of your diabetes care is easier than you think.

Where to Start?

Before starting insulin therapy, you and your doctor will decide the best insulins for you, and the best means of delivering insulin to fit your lifestyle. The most common delivery methods are via syringe, insulin pen or using an insulin pump, which has a few more steps involved. For all methods, here are some easy steps to ensure insulin is injected safely.

Tips to Inject Insulin Perfectly, Every Time

1. Start by washing your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds. Then move on to cleaning the injection site (abdomen, arm, thigh or buttock) using an alcohol swab to make sure the area is clean and sterile. Start at the center of the site and gently wipe outward.
   • No alcohol swab? No problem. You can use warm water and soap to ensure the area is free of any residue. Rinse the area with clean water and pat dry with a clean towel or allow it to air dry.
2. Clear the bubbles! If your insulin comes in a vile, you will use a syringe to retrieve the desired units of insulin. To clear the bubbles, simply tap the syringe to bring all bubbles to the top (needle tip) and eject the bubbles out into the air and then redraw the desired dose.
3. Depth. Insulin is meant to be injected into the fatty layer below the skin. If the injection is too deep and hits the muscle, you'll likely feel a sting. If the injection is too near the surface (barely breaks the skin), the insulin will pocket, can cause discomfort, and the insulin won’t be absorbed properly. Luckily skin thickness is similar in all age groups and for people of different sizes.
   • It is advisable to use injection needles that are about 4 to 6 millimeters in length (skin thickness is about a couple of millimeters). If you happen to have longer needles, inject at an angle to avoid an accidental injection into the muscle.
   • For people who are extremely lean, gather or pinch the skin gently to inject the needle.

Where to Inject?

There are a few different sites where insulin can be injected including the:

• Abdomen: this is the ideal site because there is a lot of room to rotate injections, and insulin is quickly absorbed here
• Upper arms
• Thighs
• Buttocks (this is not so common)

Note: If insulin is injected into any body part that will be exercised, this may accelerate the action of the insulin, especially if the exercise is performed within an hour after injecting the insulin. The reason this occurs is due to the increased blood flow in the area being exercised.

Rotate Your Injection Sites

Using the same injection sites can lead to skin irritation or even fatty deposits (lipodystrophy) beneath the surface. These fatty deposits can block insulin delivery by reducing its absorption. Irritation from insulin injections is indicated by red, inflamed or hardened patches of skin. Don’t inject insulin in these areas. Rotate to another site, and give that spot of skin a rest for a week or two.

Injection site rotation is best when it is systematic: using one side of your body for a period and then switch to the other side. For example, you may start with your left side, left arm to be exact, and think about an inject site like a clock. With each injection, you move 1 to 2 inches from the previous injection site.

The image below shows 10 weeks of injection sites, with each site spaced 1-2 inches apart.  Once you’ve used different sites on your left side, you can proceed to the right side and follow the same procedure. A similar rotation scheme will work on the other regions of the body, as well.

Delivery Methods

The needles of today have come a long way, especially for insulin users. If you’ve seen parents or grandparents inject insulin 20 years ago, the needles you may recall them using were much larger. The needles being used now are finer and smaller, which means less pain, discomfort, and bruising.  Everyone has a different pain tolerance, however, so injections may not be completely painless. Let’s explore the current delivery options available for insulin users.

• Syringes are the oldest delivery method and can be used for all types of insulins. Syringes are measured by gauge. The higher the gauge, the smaller the needle - a 31 or 32 gauge is recommended. Quick tip: choose the smallest size (highest gauge) possible for your usual insulin dose. A needle no longer than 6 millimeters is helpful here.
• Insulin pens offer a convenient way to deliver insulin because no vials are needed. This option is discreet, simple and is precise. Simply adjust the dial on the top of the pen to the prescribed units and inject.  The user is able feel and hear the clicks as the insulin is being administered. Hold the dial in place for 5-10 seconds to ensure the desired amount of insulin is delivered to completion.
• Insulin pumps are the most discreet, precise and convenient method for insulin delivery and they require less injections. On average, insulin pumps hold up to 3 day’s worth of insulin, of course this varies from person to person. Despite the benefits, tech savviness and cost do need to be considered for this option. The typical components of an insulin pump include the reservoir (where the insulin is located), the pump, in some cases a tube, and an applicator for the pump (can be internal or external).

Pumps and pens have the same injection sites and rotation patterns as syringes. However, each delivery method your doctor or Diabetes specialist will provide tailored education on proper delivery. Insulin pumps are more involved and usually require more education.

I’ve Injected Myself, Now What? 

Now that you’ve injected yourself you may wonder how syringes should be disposed of and how to properly store your insulin thereafter. We got you covered. 

Disposing of Needles Safely

Always use a sharps container to properly dispose of syringe needles. You may be asking, where do I throw away needles if I’m outside the home when injecting myself? If you don’t have a sharps container on you, you can simply recap the needle and safely dispose of the needle when you arrive at home. If you’re in need of a sharps container you can purchase one at your local pharmacy or via an online retailer like Amazon. Your Doctor or specialist may be able to provide you one for free or at a reduced cost.  For more information on sharps disposal, please read our article about it.

Storing Insulin

You may question where to store your remaining insulin. Insulin that is in use does not have to refrigerated and can generally last up 28 days at room temperature (59 °F - 86 °F), depending on the type and brand of insulin. Some insulin types may expire after more or less time. Always check the insulin storage and dispensing information that comes with your insulin prescription. 

Takeaways

Injecting insulin properly is critical for managing diabetes effectively. By following the steps for proper injection technique—such as rotating injection sites, ensuring the right needle depth, and using the appropriate delivery method—you can optimize insulin absorption and reduce the risk of complications. Whether using syringes, insulin pens, or pumps, keeping the process systematic and informed by professional guidance will make your insulin therapy as effective as possible.