What is the standard insulin needle size? This is a common question that diabetics have because you want to make sure that you choose the proper diabetic needles. When you choose the best insulin syringes and needles, you are able to place the insulin properly when you inject it. Proper placement ensures that your body can use the full dose so that you have greater control over your blood glucose levels.
WHY CHOOSING A SPECIFIC DIABETIC NEEDLE IS IMPORTANT FOR INSULIN
The right insulin needle length means that the insulin that you inject gets into your subcutaneous tissue. This is important for making sure that your body can absorb and distribute the insulin effectively to control your blood sugar levels. You can look at an insulin needle size chart and talk to your doctor to determine which diabetic needles and syringe sizes for injections are best for your body. Once you figure out which size is best, your doctor will write you a prescription to ensure that you get the right size from the pharmacy.
CHOOSING A NEEDLE FOR INSULIN
When you are looking at insulin syringes, there are three primary factors to consider, including needle length, needle gauge and barrel size. The needles range from eight to 12.7 millimeters. Most people will use an eight-millimeter needle. This is long enough to get into the subcutaneous tissue on most people, but it is also comfortable due to being so short.
The gauge of the needle describes its thickness or width. Diabetic needles range from 28 to 31 gauge. The smaller the gauge is, the higher the number, so a 28-gauge needle is wider than a 31-gauge needle. People who are very thin or small children may benefit from a smaller gauge because it will usually be more comfortable. However, even a 28-gauge needle is very narrow and causes little discomfort once you have a good injection technique.
The barrel size is the measurement that describes how much insulin will fit into the syringe. You should look for a size that covers your usual dose of insulin. For example, if you normally use 50 to 100 units of insulin, you should look for a one-cc syringe. Make sure that the syringe that you choose has clear dosage markings so that your insulin dose is always accurate.
HOW TO USE A NEEDLE FOR INJECTING INSULIN
When you are using diabetic needles, it is important that you use the right technique. This not only ensures that you get the full dose of insulin, but a good injection technique can also make the process more comfortable. The first thing to do is pull up your dose of insulin into the syringe. Always double check the dose and ensure that you are using the right insulin.
When you grab your insulin bottle, read the label and do any mixing that is stated on your prescription. Use an alcohol swab to wipe off the rubber part of the vial to sanitize it. Your syringes should be in plastic. If one is open, it is best to avoid using it because you should always use a clean insulin needle and syringe to reduce your risk of infection. Once you draw up your dose, make sure that there are no air bubbles before you prepare to inject it. Use the following steps to inject your insulin properly:
• Use an alcohol swab to cleanse the injection site
• Pinch the skin at the site where you will insert the needle
• Hold your insulin needle at 45 degrees
• Insert the needle into your skin swiftly
• Push the plunger on the syringe to push the insulin into your body
• Keep the needle in your skin for five seconds after pushing the insulin to ensure that you get the full dose
• Remove the needle, place a piece of gauze on the injection site and hold pressure until any bleeding stops
PICKING THE RIGHT INSULIN INJECTION SITE
When you are ready to inject your insulin, you have a choice regarding where to insert the insulin needle. One of the easiest places to inject yourself is your abdomen. You want to stay two inches away from your navel and make sure that you are putting the needle below where your ribs end. Ideally, between your belly button and the end of your ribs is the ideal site.
You can use your thighs as an injection site. Some people find this area to be a little less sensitive than their abdomen. When you choose this area, look at the outer and top areas of your thigh. Grab a tape measure and inject the area that is four inches from your knee and the same distance from the top of your thigh.
You can also use the back of your arms as an injection site. However, for someone who is very thin and has little fat in this area, they may be asked to avoid using it. Make sure that you are injecting the space between your elbow and your shoulder. Only use the back of your arm and never the front or sides since you may hit a muscle.
REDUCING BRUISING WHEN YOU INJECT INSULIN
It is not uncommon to experience bruising when you are injecting insulin. Since you often inject insulin several times a day, it is important to take the steps needed to reduce the bruising that you experience. One of the simplest ways is to apply some ice to the injection site for approximately one minute before you give yourself the injection. This reduces bruising because the cold aids in shrinking the tiny blood vessels that experience trauma when you inject your insulin. Other tips to reduce your risk of bruising include:
• Use a longer needle since these tend to cause less bruising compared to shorter ones
• Talk to your doctor about injecting at a 90-degree angle instead of at 45 degrees
• If you use your abdomen as an injection site, avoid getting too close to your navel as this area is more prone to bruising
• Rotate your injection sites so that you are not always using the same spot. The repeated trauma increases your risk of more significant bruising
• Never reuse needles. When you use the same ones more than once, there is a higher risk of tissue trauma that can result in bruising
INSULIN PENS
If you do not use the standard needle and syringe, you can consider insulin pens. The pens have needles built into them. When you press the button on the pen, it engages the needle so that it pierces your skin. You do not have to manually fill the pens. They are either pre-filled with a specific dose or they have a dial that allows you to choose the dose. These can make injecting insulin easier and more precise, making them ideal for diabetics who are new to injecting insulin.
CONCLUSION
When you are using the right diabetic needles, you get a more comfortable experience when you are injecting your insulin. The right insulin needle size is imperative for ensuring that the insulin is injected into the proper area of tissue in your body. When it gets into the subcutaneous tissue, it absorbs properly. This is important because it allows for proper control of your blood sugar levels. Please share this article on social media and post a link to it on your website.
