This guide provides information on the proper technique for self-administering subcutaneous injections into the abdomen, which deliver medication into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin. Self-administering injections into the abdomen can be a routine part of managing various medical conditions, offering convenience and autonomy. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized instructions and guidance tailored to your specific medical needs and prescribed medication.
Getting Ready for the Injection
Gather all necessary supplies, including the prescribed medication (in a vial or pre-filled syringe), a new sterile syringe and needle (if not pre-filled), alcohol swabs, a cotton ball or gauze, and an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. Ensure the medication is at room temperature before injection, as chilled medication can cause discomfort.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, cleaning between fingers, on the backs of hands, and under fingernails. Dry your hands completely to prevent infection.
Select a suitable injection site on your abdomen. The ideal area is at least two inches away from the navel, avoiding the waistline. Inspect the site for bruising, scars, moles, rashes, swelling, hardness, or irritation, and choose an unblemished area.
Cleanse the selected injection site with an alcohol swab, wiping in a circular motion from the center outward to about a two-inch area. Allow the alcohol to air dry completely to prevent stinging during the injection and ensure proper disinfection.
Performing the Injection
Prepare the medication according to instructions, whether drawing from a vial or using a pre-filled syringe. If using a vial, clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry. Draw air into the syringe equal to the medication dose, then insert the needle into the vial, inject the air, invert the vial, and withdraw the prescribed amount of medication, ensuring the needle tip remains below the liquid level.
Before injecting, check the syringe for any large air bubbles; if present, gently tap the syringe to move them to the top and slowly push the plunger to expel them without expelling medication. Hold the syringe like a pencil or dart in your dominant hand. With your other hand, gently pinch a two-inch fold of skin at the cleaned site, creating a pocket of fatty tissue away from muscle.
Insert the needle quickly and smoothly into the pinched skin at a 90-degree angle for most abdominal injections, or a 45-degree angle if there is less fatty tissue. Ensure the needle is fully inserted into the subcutaneous layer. Once inserted, release the pinched skin.
Slowly push the plunger to inject the medication. Injecting slowly can help reduce discomfort. Once the medication is fully delivered, pull the needle straight out at the same angle it was inserted.
Post-Injection Care
After withdrawing the needle, gently press a cotton ball or gauze over the injection site for a few seconds. Avoid rubbing the area, as this can increase bruising. Minor bleeding or bruising is common and not a concern.
Immediately after the injection, safely dispose of the used needle and syringe. Never recap a used needle, as this increases the risk of accidental needlestick injury. Place the entire used syringe, needle-first, into an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container.
Sharps containers are made of heavy-duty plastic, are puncture-resistant, and have a tight-fitting, leak-resistant lid. When the container is about three-quarters full, seal it and dispose of it according to local community guidelines, which may involve drop-off locations or mail-back programs.
Monitor the injection site for any immediate reactions such as redness, swelling, or itching, which are mild and temporary. Keeping a record of the date and location of each injection can be helpful, especially when rotating sites for ongoing treatment.
What to Know About Abdominal Injections
Rotating injection sites is important to prevent tissue damage, scarring, and changes in skin texture, which can affect how the medication is absorbed. The abdomen offers a large area for rotation, and consistent rotation helps maintain steady medication absorption.
To minimize discomfort, relax the abdominal muscles and apply gentle pressure to the skin before injection. Injecting the medication slowly can also reduce pain and make the experience more comfortable.
Common, mild side effects at the injection site include temporary redness, slight swelling, bruising, or itching. These reactions are normal and resolve within a few days. Some medications might cause a mild lump under the skin, which is also temporary.
Seek medical attention if you experience signs of infection such as increased pain, warmth, swelling, or redness that worsens or persists beyond a few days. Other concerning symptoms include red streaks spreading from the site, pus draining, a fever, or severe pain. In rare cases, severe allergic reactions like trouble breathing or facial swelling require immediate emergency medical care.