Tips for Insulin Injection Site Rotation

Insulin injection sites

Insulin should be injected into the fatty layer under the skin.

It is important to rotate your insulin injection sites in order to prevent lumps and hardened tissue from developing.

"Injecting into lumps or hardened tissue will affect the absorption of insulin and make it less effective," says Dr Daphne Su-Lyn Gardner, Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, Singapore General Hospital, a member of the SingHealth group.

Insulin needs to be injected into the fatty layer beneath the skin and not into the muscle below the fatty layer as muscle absorbs insulin too quickly.
Insulin is absorbed quickest and most consistently from the abdomen, followed by the arms, the thighs, and the buttocks.

Rotate injection sites by moving 2 fingers’ breadth along from your last injection site until you have used an entire area.
Move to a new injection area every week or two (see figure below)

Insulin injection sites

If you inject in the upper arm, use only the outer back area (where there is more fat) and use a shorter needle.
If you inject in the thigh, use a shorter needle and avoid using the inner thighs.

Do not inject close to the navel, as insulin absorption will not be as consistent.
Also do not inject close to moles, scars, or hardened areas.
Do not inject in an area that will be exercised soon. Exercising increases blood flow, which causes insulin to be absorbed at a rate that is faster than usual.