Steps for Injecting Insulin

These are the steps to be followed for taking an insulin injection. It is always recommended to take the advise of your doctor or a diabetes specialist before injecting yourself with insulin.

Wash your hands thoroughly with an antiseptic soap.

Remove the plastic covering off the insulin bottle. Ensure that the liquid is at room temperature to avoid a painful process. If it is cold, roll the bottle between your hands and warm it.

If you are using an insulin pen, shake it up and down vigorously along with the rolling procedure. This will evenly concentrate the liquid throughout the bottle.

The top part of the bottle needs to be cleaned with alcohol

Insert the needle into the bottle through the rubber cap and inject air into the bottle by pushing in the plunger.

Turn the bottle upside down and check whether the needle is in the insulin. Slowly, draw out the correct amount of insulin by pulling back the plunger.

If there are any air bubbles present in the syringe, they should be removed by tapping the syringe delicately after turning the bottle and the syringe upside down and raising it, again. Gently push the plunger to again let the bubbles go back in the syringe.Wipe the skin thoroughly, with a clean cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Pinch the spot to be injected and insert the needle just under the fatty area of the body, at a 90 degree angle. A 45 degree angle is more suitable for kids or adults with a lean built, so that the insulin is injected in the fatty layer and not the muscle.

Push the plunger to inject the insulin, release the pinch and leave the needle in for five seconds before removing it. Press at the site of injection gently but avoid rubbing vigorously. After these steps, you can release the skin and remove the needle

A careful and systematic approach is absolutely essential for conducting the above procedure. Two or three injecting sessions are sufficient to confidently administer the insulin, in a proper way. Have a safe, balanced and healthy life style to keep diabetes at bay.