A subcutaneous injection is given into the subcutaneous fat under the skin. The skin is made up of different layers. Underneath the epidermis and dermis, which contains sweat glands and hair follicles, is a layer of fat. This is the area which subcutaneous injections are given.
Why do I need subcutaneous injection?
Some medicines work best when they are injected under the skin into the fatty layer. These medicines need to be absorbed more slowly than others that are taken by mouth or injection into a vein.
Will it hurt?
Subcutaneous injections can be painful but there are various areas of the body which contains fewer nerve endings so the injection will be less painful e.g., thighs, buttocks and abdomen.
Inserting the needle
How you insert the needle can also make a difference. The needles are designed so that the sharp end is cut at a 45 – 90 degree angle. If you insert the needle with the cut angle facing toward the skin, this will be painful. However, if you insert it with the cut angle facing upwards, the point will be inserted into the skin first and so will be less painful.
Rotation of injection sites
One important factor in making subcutaneous injections less painful and reducing irritation at the injection site is to rotate the position on the body where you give the injections. The injection site must be rotated daily. Injecting the medicine into the same area all the time will cause a fatty lump to form. While these are not dangerous in themselves, medicine will be absorbed more slowly through them.
Getting ready to give the subcutaneous injection
You will need:
- Cleaning wipes
- Medicine bottle
- Syringe package
- Cotton wool or gauze
What to do:
- Wash your hands
- Wipe the top of the medicine bottle with the cleaning wipe and leave to dry
- Choose the injection site for this dose
- Open the syringe package and put on a clean surface
- Insert the needle into the top of the bottle at an angle of 90 degrees
- Pull back the plunger and draw up slightly more than the prescribed dosage
- Remove the needle from the bottle
Note: If you are using an auto injector or pen device, load it according to the instructions in the package and how you have been taught.
What to do:
- Holding the needle upwards, tap the syringe gently to move air bubbles towards the needle
- Push the plunger gently to remove the air bubble and squirt a small amount of the medicine into the air
- Lift the skin in the chosen injection area between your thumb and index finger
- Holding the needle at a 90 degree or 45 degree angle as shown by your nurse, insert the needle into the skin fold.
- Continue to hold the skin and push the syringe plunger to inject the medicine while counting to 10 slowly
- Remove the needle from the skin and let go of the skin fold.
- Put piece of cotton wool or gauze over the injection site for a few seconds
- Throw the syringe away in a ‘sharps’ bin as you have been taught.