Insulin injections
Today, needles to inject insulin are very small. That makes injecting insulin practically pain free. Prefilled disposable insulin pens can be used to inject insulin. These pens help make taking insulin quick and easy. Needles used with prefilled pens make injecting insulin practically pain free.
Ask your diabetes care team about the different insulin delivery systems available. Your diabetes care team will show you how to inject your insulin. Learn more about several types of insulin delivery systems.
Site rotation
Insulin is injected in the layer of fat just under the skin in these areas of the body:
- Abdomen (except a 2-inch circle around the belly button)
- Thighs (top and outer parts)
- Backs of the upper arms
Talk with your diabetes care team about how to inject your insulin. Use the insulin injection technique recommended by your diabetes educator or diabetes care team.
Insulin may work better if you inject it in the same general areas each day. For instance, you can inject it in the abdomen each morning and in the thigh at bedtime. To avoid lumps or buildup of scar tissue, insulin should not be injected in the same exact spot (site) each day. Where you inject can affect how quickly insulin works. If you inject insulin into scar tissue, it won't be absorbed properly. Be sure you know how to prepare and inject insulin and how fast it works.
