If you are new to insulin therapy, your only previous experience of injections is
likely to have been painful. Most people's experience of needles is of a long needle
that is inserted into their vein or muscle for a blood test or vaccination. Insulin
injections use smaller needles and many people eventually find that their injections
are not painful. Your diabetes healthcare team will be able to show you how to inject
insulin. Following the tips below will help to make injecting insulin more comfortable.
- Store the insulin you are currently using at room temperature. Injecting cold insulin
can be uncomfortable.
- Don't use blunt needles and remember to change the needle if you use an insulin
pen.
- Try to rotate your injection sites to avoid fatty lumps developing (lipohypertrophy)
that can make injecting more painful and slow down the speed that the insulin is
absorbed.
- Choose a "fleshy" part of your body that has some fatty tissue, such as the thigh,
buttock or lower abdomen. This will be less sensitive than a more muscley area.
- Make sure the needle is turned the correct way around, with the sharp tip facing
towards the skin and the eye of the needle facing outwards.
- You can gauge how painful your area of choice is by gently pressing the needle against
the skin.
- If you find injections painful, you can try numbing the skin with an ice cube before
injecting.
- Pinching the skin with your thumb and index finger will help you to avoid injecting
your muscle, which can be more uncomfortable.
- Inserting the needle quickly will be less painful than slowly. However, you may
feel happier to take your time, particularly if you are new to insulin therapy.
- Speak to your diabetes healthcare team for further advice about how to make your
injections more comfortable.