Although most people take only one punch in of insulin at a time, some need to mix twotypes.
Once opened, a bottle of insulin can be kept at room temperature for a month.
Obviously, the size of the syringe you choose for injecting insulin will need to accommodate your prescribed dose.
Brianna Gilmartin / Verywell
Alcohol wipes:Keep a generous supply of these pre-wrapped alcohol-saturated squares on hand.
You’ll need one to two per injection.
Sharps container:Syringes and needles must be disposed of safely.
When either is filled, they will need to be dropped off at a collections site.
If you’ll be using intermediate-acting insulin, it will look cloudy.
To mix it, roll it gently between your palms.
Do not shake the bottle.
Wash your hands with soap and waterand dry them thoroughly.
Swab the top of the insulin bottle with an alcohol wipe.
If it’s a new bottle, remove the protective cover.
It should pop off with a little upward pressure.
Uncover the needle.Hold the syringe in one hand.
With the other, grasp the cap covering the needle and pull it straight off without touching the needle.
The ideal spot is the abdomen.
Inject the insulin.With an alcohol wipe, clean the site by wiping the skin in a circular motion.
Press the plunger all the way in to release the insulin.
Leave it in place for five seconds.
Remove the needle.Slowly withdraw it at the same angle at which it was inserted.
You may see a drop or two of blood; apply pressure with the alcohol wipe.
The bleeding should stop within a few seconds.
Do not mix two types of insulin into one syringe unless otherwise instructed.
Troubleshooting
For most people, self-injecting insulin goes smoothly after some practice.
However, the process isn’t without a few common glitches.
Leakage isn’t a problem unless large drops appear, but it’s best to prevent it if possible.
Insulin patch:There is only one such rig on the markettheV-Go.
Unlike traditional insulin pumps, this gear is credit-card size and adheres to the skin.
The patch holds a small reservoir and a pre-filled needle.
Injection of insulin is triggered by pressing a button on the patch.
It is designed to deliver both a continual flow of basal insulin and individual doses of bolus insulin.
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Kaiser Permanente.Storing Insulin and Prefilling Syringes: Topic Overview.
August 31, 2020.
American Diabetes Association.Insulin routines.
American Association of Diabetes Educators.Pro tips (and tricks) for easier and better insulin injections.
American Association of Diabetes Educators.Diabetes injection know-how: Pro tips (and tricks) for easier insulin Iinjections.
MedlinePlus.Giving an insulin injection.
August 29, 2020.
