Everything sharp

From syringes to the pen.

This time, I am here to talk to you all about needles, the syringes, the pen, the different sizes, injection sites and all. Upon my searching for information across the web, I stumbled across many people stating that they inject themselves through their clothing. Let us get this straight, NEVER EVER do that. There are so many reasons not to.
1.INFECTION
2.INFECTION
3.Do I have to say it again?

Everyone is different when it comes to their preference. If you were to choose between syringes and the pen which would you choose? The syringes are scary to me, just because of how the look and the size doesn't matter.

Needle sizes(syringe):

12.7 mm

8 mm

6  mm

Pen sizes:

12.7 mm

8 mm

5 mm

4 mm

Mainly, people who don't have insurance often choose the syringes. What are the different sizes for exactly?
#1 is comfort at its best of course. #2 is because everyone's body size is different, male and female. Let me show you:

I pulled this picture from google images of skin layers. They say you should insert the needle into your fat, that's why a fatty part is best when dealing with insertion. It's less painful and a proper place for absorption. But look at all those layers it has to go through to actually get to your fatty part in reality. If you are a bigger person sometimes a tiny needle wouldn't be sufficient enough to reach your fat layer, therefore you need a longer needle. Another example, if you are a small child their layers aren't nearly as fully developed as an adult, so they would most likely need a smaller needle. It would be painful for them to have a longer needle and hit a muscle. What's wrong with hitting a muscle? Nothing really, it just really hurts, and the insulin gets absorbed too quickly.

Injection sites

Now that we have gone through skin layers, I want to discuss Injection sites. Here's a picture to provide you guidance as I go through this:

Where do you inject your insulin? The red color on the abdomen is the ideal site. Why? This is because the insulin get's absorbed quickly and starts working very fast. However if you are very slim as I am, it may be difficult to get a fatty part on your stomach. Try pinching the fattest part above or below the belly button and insert. The yellow colored, on the models arms and outer thigh are the next injection site. They are yellow because this is absorbed at medium speed, meaning it will take a little while to start working. The last injection site in on the upper buttox, this is also the slowest absorption speed. I tend to use that area for my long acting insulin at night, and sometimes in the morning. I usually try to do my fast acting insulin in my abdomen. Also to add, you should not keep injecting in the same area, try to do it at least an inch apart if you are. Consistent injections in the same areas cause your skin to harden, and that makes it difficult to pierce through the skin causing more pain(and who want hard skin?).

How do you inject your insulin?

Do you just go straight in? At an angle? You can search all through the web, and they will tell you at a 45 degree angle, at a 90 degree angle to your body etc. How would you know what a 45 degree angle is unless you're really good at angles, or had a protractor with you? Of course you could possibly eye it, I just tried trial and error. Sometimes it hurts me more when I put it at an angle that looks to be about 45 degrees. Sometimes I go straight in. It all depends on you, just don't try to hurt yourself, there are ways to make it hurt as little as possible, to the point you barely feel it. The absolute best spot for me is below my belly button on either side at the bottom of my abdomen. I pinch some skin while sitting to get the rolls out(haha) and insert. I barely feel a thing. 

Hopefully you will think twice about inserting your needles through your clothing next time. Don't worry about people judging you about your injections. This is a part of us now, me and you alike. I feel the same things you do, but don't let Diabetes consume you. Make it your best and only flaw.

Remember, there are other ways of insulin injections such as the pump. I plan to start using it by the end of September because the doctors are telling me my numbers are excellent. But everyone likes their own preferences. Until next time! God bless <3

Also, I almost forgot, if you are in the New York City area please don't hesitate to email me about a Very Large Annual Diabetes walk! I just started a team and I am searching for new members! If you would like to donate, feel free to if you can't make it! A $5 minimun if you do! 

Here are the links to either join my team or make a donation!
My personal Donation page
WWF Team page

The pictures used in this post are for educational purposes only from google images.