What causes bleeding when taking insulin?

When injecting insulin, if mistakes or bleeding occur, this is related to the injection technique. If the injection is not standardized, this phenomenon may occur. Be sure to lift the skin during the injection to avoid bleeding and pain. For novices who are injecting diabetes, they must learn the regular steps and methods of injecting insulin in daily life.

The correct way to inject insulin

1. Before injecting, please confirm the specifications of the insulin used.

During insulin treatment, you must understand the concentration specifications of the insulin injection you are using to avoid accidental injections due to incorrect aspiration doses, which may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in the patient. Generally speaking, the specification of bottled insulin is 400U (unit)/10 ml, that is, each 1 ml of injection contains 40 units of insulin; the specification of insulin pen cartridge is 300U/3 ml, that is, each 1 ml of injection contains 100 units of insulin.

Note: Never draw bottled insulin into an insulin pen cartridge for use. Insulin pen cartridges can only be injected with an insulin pen.

2. Instructions for use of needle-type syringes

(1) Pay attention to aseptic operation. The operator must wash his hands before injection and prepare the necessary supplies for injection, such as insulin bottles, syringes, and alcohol cotton balls. (2) To correctly extract insulin, you should first disinfect the injection bottle cap with an alcohol cotton ball. Then use a syringe to draw up an amount of air equal to the required insulin injection solution and inject it into the insulin bottle. Then, turn the insulin bottle upside down with your left hand and hold the syringe with your right hand to extract the insulin. (3) The order of drawing long-acting and short-acting insulin must not be reversed. When mixing two types of insulin by yourself, you must draw short-acting insulin first, and then draw intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin. If intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin is mixed into a bottle of short-acting insulin, this bottle of short-acting insulin can no longer be used. (4) Injection method: After selecting the injection site, disinfect the skin with an alcohol cotton ball. After the alcohol dries, use one hand to lift the skin at the injection site by about 1 inch. Use the other hand to hold the syringe and insert it into the injection site at a 45-degree angle. Push the drug solution in and then relax the lifted skin. The needle should stay under the skin for 6-7 seconds before being pulled out. Do not massage the injection site.

3. How to use an insulin pen

The insulin pen is the most commonly used insulin syringe in clinical practice. It has the characteristics of accurate injection dosage, simple operation, and convenient carrying and storage. It is particularly suitable for self-injection by diabetic patients and is very popular among patients. However, each type of insulin pen has a dedicated matching refill and they cannot be mixed. (1) Install the refill: Before installation, check whether the refill is intact and has no cracks. If it is damaged, replace it. Unscrew the refill holder, insert the refill, disinfect the rubber film at the front end of the refill with 75% alcohol, take out the needle, open the package, tighten the needle clockwise, and remove the needle protection cap. (2) Venting: This operation must be performed every time the insulin pen cartridge is replaced. Turn the dose adjustment knob that displays zero unit to 1 unit, with the needle tip upright, flick the cartridge holder several times with your fingers to allow the air to gather at the top, then press the injection button until a drop of insulin overflows from the needle, indicating that the drive rod is in complete contact with the cartridge and all bubbles in the cartridge have been exhausted. Otherwise, you must repeat this operation. (3) Dose selection: Rotate the dose adjustment knob to the desired number of injection units. (4) Injection method: Routinely disinfect the injection site. Pinch the abdominal fat layer with the thumb and index finger of the left hand. Hold the pen with the right hand and quickly insert the needle vertically. Press the injection button with the right thumb to inject. After the injection is completed, continue to stay under the skin for 6-7 seconds, and then quickly withdraw the needle along the insertion direction.

4. How to tell if insulin is ineffective

Short-acting insulin and long-acting insulin analogs are colorless, clear solutions. They cannot be used if they become turbid or the liquid turns yellow. Intermediate- and long-acting insulin or premixed insulin are generally uniform milky white suspensions. If clumpy precipitates appear and they cannot be shaken evenly, they cannot be used. In addition, insulin that has passed its expiration date should not be used.