Diabetic Needles

What is the standard size of an insulin needle? This is a common question that diabetics have because you want to make sure they choose suitable diabetic needles. When you choose the best insulin syringes and needles, you will be able to place the insulin when you inject it. Correct placement ensures that your body can use the entire dose, giving you more control over your blood glucose level         

                                                   

WHY CHOOSING A SPECIFIC DIABETIC INSULIN NEEDLE IS IMPORTANT

The correct length of the insulin needle means that the insulin you inject will reach the subcutaneous tissue. This is important to ensure that your body can absorb and distribute insulin to control blood sugar levels. You can refer to the insulin needle size chart and talk to your doctor to find out which diabetes needles and syringe sizes are best for your body. Once you know which size is best, your doctor will prescribe it to ensure you get the right size at the pharmacy.

CHOOSING AN INSULIN NEEDLE

When looking at insulin syringes, there are three main factors to consider, needle length, needle thickness, and barrel size. Needles range from eight to 12.7 millimeters. Most people will use an eight-millimeter needle. This is long enough to get under most people's skin, but it's also comfortable because it's so short.

The gauge of a needle describes its thickness or width. Diabetic needles range from 28 to 31 gauge. The smaller the gauge, the higher the number, so a 28-needle is wider than a 31-needle. People who are very thin or small children may enjoy a smaller gauge as it will usually be more comfortable. But, even a 28 gauge needle is very narrow and causes a little discomfort once you have a good injection technique.

The cylinder size is a measure that describes how much insulin will fit in the syringe. You should look for a size that will cover your usual insulin dose. For example, if you use 50 to 100 units of insulin, you should look at a 1 ml syringe. Make sure the needle you choose has clear dosing markings so that the dose of insulin is always accurate.

HOW TO USE A NEEDLE TO INJECT INSULIN

When using diabetic needles, you must use the proper technique. This not only ensures that you get the full dose of insulin, but good injection technique can also make the process more comfortable. The first thing you need to do is draw a dose of insulin into the syringe. Always double-check your amount and make sure you are using the correct insulin.

When you pick up a bottle of insulin, read the label and do any mixing that is listed on your prescription. Wipe the rubber part of the bottle with an alcohol swab to disinfect it. Your syringes should be in plastic. If one is open, it is best to avoid it, as you should always use a clean insulin needle and syringe to reduce the risk of infection. Once you've drawn the dose, make sure there are no air bubbles before you prepare to inject. Use the following steps to administer insulin :

• Squeeze the skin where you will insert the needle

• Hold the insulin needle at a 45-degree angle

• insert the needle into the skin

• Push the plunger of the syringe to push the insulin into your body

• After pushing in the insulin, hold the needle in the skin for five seconds to ensure you get the full dose

• Remove the needle, place a piece of gauze on the injection site, and apply pressure until the bleeding stops

CHOOSING THE CORRECT INSULIN INJECTION SITE

When you are ready to inject insulin, you have a choice of where to insert the insulin needle. One of the easiest places to inject is the abdomen. You want to stay two inches from your belly button and make sure you insert the needle below where your ribs end. , the spot between the navel and the end of the ribs is ideal.

You can use the thighs as an injection site. Some people find this area a little less sensitive than their stomach. When you select this area, look at the outer and upper thigh. Take a tape measure and inject an area
four inches from the knee and the same distance from the top of the thigh.

You can also use the back of your arms as an injection site. But, someone who is very thin and has little fat in this area may be asked to avoid using it. Be sure to inject into the space between the elbow and the shoulder. Only use the back of the arm and never the front or side as you could hit the muscle.

LIMITATIONS OF MODULES IN THE APPLICATION OF INSULIN

It is not unusual for you to bruise when you inject insulin. Since you often inject insulin many times a day, it's important to take steps to reduce the bruising you experience. One of the easiest ways is to put some ice on the injection site for about a minute before you give the injection. This reduces bruising because the cold helps shrink the tiny blood vessels that experience trauma when you inject insulin. 

• Use a longer needle as it tends to cause less bruising compared to shorter ones

• Talk to your doctor about injecting at a 90-degree angle instead of a 45-degree angle

• If you are using the abdomen as an injection site, do not get too close to the navel as this area is more prone to bruising

• Alternate injection sites so that you don't use the same site over and over again. Repeated trauma increases the risk of a more severe bruise