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Needles and Diabetes

Type 1 and type 2 diabetics often require daily insulin injections, but needles are nothing to be afraid of. Along with a good diet and regular exercise, insulin injections help control high blood sugar to keep diabetics healthy and strong. Always follow your doctor's instructions for dosage and injection times to be safe.

  1. About Insulin Needles

    • Insulin needles are disposable, which means you use them one time and throw them away. The needles come in three parts: a plunger, a barrel with a needle attached, and a cap. The needle is thin and short so it doesn't hurt too much. The barrel is clearly marked with the dosage amount to measure out the correct amount every time.

    Filling the Needle

    • The insulin bottle has a rubber stopper. Before filling the needle, roll the bottle gently in your hands to mix the insulin. Pull the plunger of the needle out and then insert the needle through the rubber stopper. Push the plunger in all the way to expel the air out of the barrel and create a vacuum. Slowly pull the plunger out to fill the barrel until the inside end of the plunger reaches the correct dosage mark.

    Air in the Barrel

    • Insulin is not injected into the bloodstream, so air bubbles in the medicine will not cause a heart attack, but may make the dosage inaccurate. If air gets into the barrel, tap the barrel gently while the needle is still in the insulin bottle until the air rises and then push the plunger in a little to expel the air. If necessary, pull the plunger until it reaches the dosage line. Pull the needle out of the bottle and avoid touching it to anything before injection.

    Injection Sites

    • Insulin is injected into the fatty areas of the body. The hips, thighs and lower belly are good choices for most people. Vary the injection site each time to avoid creating a irritated or sore area and promote consistent, rapid absorption. You may find that some areas have less feeling and the injections hurt less as a result.

    Cleaning the Area

    • It is vitally important to avoid contamination and bacteria during injection. Just before you inject insulin, wipe the injection area with alcohol to kill any bacteria that might be on your skin.

    Disposal

    • Needles are considered biological waste and must be disposed of properly by law. Never throw used needles or testing lancets in the trash. Check with your doctor or pharmacy, they may accept used needles in proper containers for disposal. There are also several low-cost services online that provide containers that you mail back when full.

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