When a person injects insulin in the same place for a long period of time, does the skin harden over time?

Question

Also where are the spots diabetics inject? Does needle scarring occur? Do diabetics have to cut their finger to test the blood on a monitor? Only diabetics answer please or relatives of diabetics or if you're an expert on this.

Answer 1

i dont know
i dont inject insulin
cause i dont need it

Answer 2

I've had diabetes for 33 years and yes you do scar over a long period of time and the answer to your other question is if you give the shots in the same place for a long time you can build up insulin pockets and the skin will harden and the insulin will not secrete into your system at all or as fast. No I don't have cuts on my fingers but I do have scars from where I've checked my blood sugar so many times. I hope that answers your questions always remember it can be treated now you just have to keep up with your bs and they are constantly making new discoveries on how to treat us not like it was early last century when they didn't even have insulin to keep us alive.

Answer 3

yes --a diabetic on insulin needs to rotate injection sites for this very reason. The hardening of these areas is called lipodystrophy. If you continue to inject insulin into these areas not only will your insulin not absorb well or at all this will increase your blood sugar levels. You can also get an abscess in an area that receives repeated injections. You can inject insulin in upper arm area into the fatty part of the arm, also you can use the fatty part of the thighs (the sides of the thighs), you can use the abdomen (insulin absorbs best when injected into subcutaneous tissue in the abdomen) Go to the website for the American Diabetes Association and you can find alot of helpful information in managing your diabetes. good luck!

Answer 4

Several factors play into this. First, are you refrigerating your insulin? In general, people are discouraged from refrigerating insulin (unless directed by your pharmacist) The cold insulin can cause what is called lipodystrophy, that is a hard sometimes painful "knot under the skin. It is a common myth that insulin needs to be refrigerated (unless directed by pharmacist).

It is also advisible to rotate the injection sites.

The abdominal area (staying away from 2 inches diameter around belly button) is usually the preferred site. The "fat" of the upper arm, and the fat of the top of the buttox is also used. If you constantly inject in the same area, you will damage the tissue, give that area some rest.

Diabetics also test their blood sugar as advised by their doctor 3-4 times a day. It is done by a small needle called a "lancet" the first drop of blood is wiped away and another drop of blood is applied to the testing strip and inserted into the monitor (you may need to insert the strip first, consult directions enclosed with monitor). The monitor tells the diabetic what their blood sugar level is. 80-120 is generally considered the desired range.

With proper teaching from your nurses and physicians, you will be able to go thru insulin therapy with the least amount of complications. Diabetic seminars are also probably offered by your local hospital.

Answer 5

2

Answer 6

My 11 year old son is diabetic. You can inject in the fatty part of your stomach, your thigh, butt, and your arm. They prick the finger, not cut it. It heals... And yes there is scarring, if you use the same spot to much, you build up scar tissue and make that spot more insulin resistant. So the best thing to do is pick a different location every time giving your body time to heal the last spot. The skin doesn't actually harden, it gets scar tissue...

Answer 7

Yes, scar tissue can form. Diabetics are taught to prick a different finger each time they check their blood sugar and to inject the insulin in a different spot each time also. Insulin is injected into subcutaneous tissue. So the common spots are around the umbilicus and on the back of the upper arm.

Answer 8

Yes, if they inject in the same place they will form scar tissue and insulin will not get absorbed properly. Diabetics usually stick their finger with a lancet. The normal places for insulin injections are abdomen, thighs, back of arms. It just needs to be into fat.

Answer 9

If you continue to inject in the same site, the site does become lumpy and hard, its called a granuloma. The insulin isn't as effective as it normally would be if you continue to inject into the granuloma. Doctors recommend that you vary the site of injection. You can inject on the thigh but you should vary the spot from right to left and all over the thigh. You don't have to "cut" your finger, it just a little spot of blood that is needed from the finger. It doesn't hurt and you get used to it.

Answer 10

Yes, poking your stomach and your finger tips causes scarring and calluses over time. There is a new monitor that supposedly allows you to test anywhere, but I'm afraid I don't know much about that.
Look up the site: http://www.diabetes.com.au/index.php
This is the best site I've found with information on how to eat healthy and keep your blood sugar level so you don't need insulin. Also, Cinnamon tea has been known to help regulate blood sugar.

Answer 11

2 good friends of mine, and a teacher have diabetes... They have a pump though, and the needle goes into your belly. I don't think the skin ever hardens though. Its difficult to stick the needle in the exact same place every time... but if you don't have a pump, you still have to inject the insulin into your belly...