How to Numb for Insulin Shots

The discomfort associated with insulin injections can be mitigated or even eliminated using one of three methods. These methods are ice; a topical anesthetic, like dibucaine or viscous lidocaine; or the skin refrigerant ethyl chloride.

Things You'll Need

• Ice
• Ethyl chloride
• Dibucaine ointment
• Viscous lidocaine

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply ice to the injection site for about one minute before cleaning with alcohol. The cold will reduce the capacity of the nerves to transmit pain signals. This reduction in nerve capacity will only last for 10 to 20 seconds, so immediate introduction of the needle after cleaning is advised.

• 2

  Apply the ethyl chloride to the injection site by inverting the bottle, depressing the button all the way, and spraying the skin for three to seven seconds at a distance of 3 to 9 inches from the skin. Take care not to frost the skin. Ethyl chloride is a skin refrigerant that is colder than ice but works in the same way. Again, immediate cleaning and introduction of the needle is advised.

• 3

  Apply a topical anesthetic to the skin about ten minutes before the injection. Only a thin film will be necessary to anesthetize the skin and the effect will last about 30 minutes. Dibucaine is actually marketed as an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream but it is an effective topical anesthetic for the skin, as well. Viscous lidocaine is only available by prescription.