Patient/caregiver was instructed upon guidelines for insulin injection site rotation as follows:
Following the guidelines below can help promote healing of previous injection sites, reduce the incidence of lipodystrophy changes in the skin, and thus prevent chance for compromised insulin absorption & action.
- Keep a close watch on the skin sites insulin was administered. Note for the development of scar tissue or lumpy masses at these injection sites. Going forward, avoid administering insulin into these altered skin sites, as it could affect the absorption of insulin from this site into the blood, compromise the action of the medication, and thus, lead to poor blood sugar control.
- Insulin can be injected into the subcutaneous fat available at various body sites, such as, abdomen, upper & outer arms, hips, and upper & outer thighs. The rate of insulin absorption and the rapidity of insulin action can differ with the site insulin was administered.
- Insulin administered into the subcutaneous fat on the abdomen is absorbed rapidly and has the fastest onset of action. While using this site for injecting insulin, avoid injecting insulin into the 5 cm area around the umbilicus, as medication injected here is poorly absorbed, thus compromising the therapeutic benefit. Insulin administered into the subcutaneous fat on the upper & outer arm is absorbed moderately rapid and has a medium onset of action. Insulin administered into the subcutaneous fat on the upper & outer hips and upper & outer thighs is absorbed slowest and has the slowest onset of action. Irrespective to the site of insulin administration, inject the medication at least 1cm away from the previous injection site. Observing one finger breadth away from the previous injection site could be a rough estimate.
