The Least Painful Insulin Injection Sites: Not Just About Location

The four most recommended sites for insulin injections were chosen because they share two qualities: They have a generous fat layer just beneath the skin into which the insulin is injected, and they have fewer nerve endings than many other areas of the body. None of the four sites – abdomen, back of the upper arm, upper buttocks, upper/outer thigh – is nerve-free, though, so some injection discomfort is normal.

The factors that seem to most influence the pain level of insulin injections are a person’s perception and anticipation of pain, the sharpness and maybe the size of the needle, and injection technique.

Needle Sharpness and Size

A study published about 20 years ago showed the one factor most responsible for increased injection pain was the bluntness of a needle. The needle diameter and dose size had significantly less effect on an insulin users’ experience of pain.


Those who reuse needles are injecting themselves with dulled and possibly bent needles. This can do more than just increase pain; a separate study showed that reuse raises the risk of developing lipohypertrophy, a lumpy buildup of fat under the skin at injection sites.

Many people today, children and adults, report less pain when using short, narrow-gauge needles – those typically used in insulin pens (4 to 5 mm x 32G). Insulin pen needles also have the advantage of not being dulled by piercing the membrane of an insulin vial or getting accidentally bent since there is no needle cap to remove.

Minimizing the Discomfort

Besides using each needle only once, there are other ways to minimize pain at the injection site:

  • Use insulin that is at room temperature.
  • Remove all of the air bubbles from a syringe before injecting.
  • Let the site disinfectant (usually alcohol) dry before injecting.
  • Keep the direction of the needle steady when inserting and removing it.
  • Have relaxed muscles at the injection site.
  • Penetrate the skin quickly.
  • Twist the needle cap and pull it off straight to avoid bending the needle.
  • Review your injection technique with your diabetes care team.

Some individuals numb the injection site with an ice cube or a topical numbing cream. Numbing cream takes 20 to 30 minutes to work, but if you want to try one discuss it with your doctor. After injection, applying steady pressure with your palm for a few seconds (no rubbing) may lessen the sting.


Testing Your Sensitivity

The different insulin absorption rates of the injection sites and the type of insulin being used are of primary importance in choosing a site. However, if you are curious, there is a way to compare the nerve sensitivity of injection sites on your body.

Open a paper clip and bend it in half; touch your skin simultaneously with the two endpoints. Start with the points very close together and gradually widen the gap between them. Notice how wide the gap is when you start to feel both points. The closer the points are when you can feel both, the more sensitive the area.

If you are wondering, the most sensitive parts of the human body are the lips, face, hands, fingers, feet, toes and tongue. The least sensitive is the back, buttocks, and backs of the arms and legs.


Sources: Diabetes Educator, Children’s University
Photo: Pexels


More Articles

With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.

Farro...

Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....

With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...

If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...

In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.

When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...

More Articles

If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....

For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.

A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...

According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...

Eleven Clinical Studies

After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...

Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...

Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...

Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...

Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...

Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....

When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...

Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.

The...

Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...

Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...

Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...

One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...