How to Overcome Insulin Injection Fears?

People with diabetes need insulin to keep their blood sugar levels in check. If you are someone who gets panicky around needles, then having to inject insulin is nothing short of a nightmare to you. However, insulin injections are not as dreadful as you might think.

The first thing you need to do is ask yourself what scares you the most about insulin injections. Is the pain, or is it the fear of needles? Once you address your initial concerns, dealing with the fear will be easier.

Here is how you can overcome the fear of insulin injections-

• Use shorter needles of about 4-5mm. They penetrate the skin and reach the subcutaneous tissues without causing much pain. Besides, these needles are easy to use and are more common in insulin pens.

• Cold insulin stings. If you keep the insulin in a refrigerator, take it out 10 minutes before having it injected. This will allow the temperature to match the room temperature and make it easier for you to bear the pain.

• Pen insulin needles come pre-loaded with insulin and are relatively less nerve-wracking than traditional hypodermic needles. If the sharp, pointy edge of the needle makes you sick and nervous, cover your eyes to keep the needle out of sight.

• Numb the area before you inject. You can use ice cubes to do so or apply an anaesthetic gel, or gently rub a topical cream (prescribed by a doctor) on the skin to numb the area.

• If these do not work for you, ask your doctor for Buzzy. It is a pain blocker, shaped like a bee and combined with an ice pack and a vibrator, which overwhelms the nerve signals sent to the brain. Due to this, the pain sensation becomes dull. The small instrument, thus, relieves you from needle pain.

• Be prompt when injecting the needle because that will minimize the pain. Count to five, release the skin, and allow the needle to slide out. It will only take a few seconds, and you would not feel a thing. It is like ripping off a band-aid in one go, simple! However, make sure that the needle is pointed at a 90-degree angle.

Another way to overcome insulin injection fear is to distract yourself from the situation. Listen to good music, talk to a friend or family member, or simply look away to focus on something else. Also, ensure that you have your first insulin shot under the guidance of a doctor at a clinic. This will help you become familiar with the technique and the momentary pain that comes along.