Wanhai Medical News

Insulin Injection Site Rotation Rule

2025-01-24 09:55:56 Back to list

For sugar users, who may have to inject insulin more than once a day, and many others who need to inject insulin three or more times a day, it makes sense to rotate the injection sites.

If you inject insulin in the same area for a long period of time, it can lead to hard lumps and fatty growths under the skin. These hard lumps and fatty growths don't just look unsightly, but they also interfere with insulin absorption, making it more difficult to meet your blood sugar goals.

So how do you come to rotate the injection sites?

Proper injection site rotation needs to be based on these two laws:

1. The same part at the same time:

Since insulin is injected at different sites, the rate of absorption can vary.

Speed of insulin absorption: stomach > arms > legs > hips

So, to avoid blood sugar fluctuations due to changes in absorption rates, it is best to use the same site for our daily injections.

For example, the same pre-meal insulin for lunch is injected in the abdomen on Monday, but switched to the thighs on Tuesday. In such a case, the difference in the rate of insulin absorption will lead to a difference in the onset of insulin, which will ultimately lead to larger fluctuations in blood glucose.

Ideally, if you choose to inject insulin in the thighs at night, then continue to choose the thigh area to inject at subsequent nightly injection time points as well.

In accordance with the rate of insulin absorption, we offer sugar users the following options for injection sites:

This is because insulin is most easily absorbed when injected in the abdomen. And at mealtimes, rapid absorption of insulin can burn the calories you consume more quickly. That's why it's good to inject all your insulin in your abdomen at mealtime (unless your doctor has other special requirements for your injection site).

Long-acting insulin is preferred to be injected in the thighs, arms, and buttocks because long-acting insulin needs to take effect gradually, and the slow absorption and slow onset of action will cover the amount of insulin you need throughout the night.

If you are mixing two types of insulin together, injections into the abdomen, arms, and thighs, are all fine.

On the basis of a reasonable choice of injection sites, but also adhere to the implementation of the principle of “the same time the same site” that we emphasized above, oh ~!

2. Rotation of different injection points for the same injection site:

It is important to rotate the different injection points within the same area in order to avoid the occurrence of hard lumps, fat proliferation.

You can choose an insulin injection card for your abdomen so that you can make sure that each injection site is separated by two fingers.

You can also rotate between left and right sides within the same injection site.

For example, if you choose to inject insulin in your thigh area at night, try injecting in the right thigh first and switching to the left thigh the next night.

Alternatively, drawing an imaginary clock on your abdomen is a very simple and effective way to do this. This helps you keep each injection separated from the last by at least a finger's width.

Let's say, for example, if you need to inject four times a day and all of the injections will be on your abdomen.

Try making an imaginary clock on your stomach, centered on your belly button.

The first injection would be at 12 o'clock, the second at 1 o'clock, the third at 2 o'clock, and the fourth at 3 o'clock.

In that case, you won't go back to the 12 o'clock position for another injection until day 4, and this rotation rule gives each injection site a chance to rest.

Tips for positional rotation:

When you begin to utilize the positional rotation injection method, you can closely track your blood sugar levels with your diabetes doctor. Over time, you and your diabetes doctor will find out which injection site gives you better control of your blood sugar levels at different times of the day.

Avoid injecting within a 2.5mm radius of the belly button. Because of the complexity of the tissue there, insulin absorption will be inconsistent. For the same reason, do not inject near scar combinations.

If you are using your upper arm to inject, use only the outside of your upper arm to inject (more fat). If it is difficult to pinch your upper arm when you are injecting yourself, try placing your upper arm against a wall or door.

  • If you choose to inject the thighs, stay away from the inner thighs. This is because your thighs rub together when you walk, which can make the injection site painful.
  • Don't inject insulin into an area where you will be exercising. Exercise increases blood flow and causes long-acting insulin to be absorbed faster than you need it.
  • Don't be driven by habit! Some injection sites may be easier to find and convenient for injecting fluids, and prolonged injections at these sites can result in swelling and lumps, or even rashes allergies, fatty growths, etc. ......
  • Reduce injection pain by choosing the right needle length and gauge for you. The shorter the needle the less painful it will be in the range that suits you.
  • Make sure you inject in the same area of your body for a week or two and rotate between different injection sites in the same area.
  • Using the same area for at least a week will avoid extreme blood sugar variations due to different rates of insulin absorption.

The information is from the Internet and is for reference only.

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