Injections for insulin

[lynbrown]

How often do you change the needle before injecting insulin?

[nuoyg]

If it is something you need an answer to and you can't get to a doctor isn't there something called NHS direct you can call or ask? Or a pharmacist...?

[cruella]

I was always under the impression that needles ought to be discarded after use. New needles should be used every time to prevent infection.
I take it we are talking about needles only.

[theonlyone]

Use only once

[Psychick]

Was you not taught by your doctor/nurse when first given the insulin injections?

[SKKitty]

My Dad's diabetic and injects insulin, he usually changes his needles each time before injecting.

[alijangra]

Change every time if it is a syringe and vial, as you would not want to re-puncture the vial after the needle piercing your skin. Some people who use insulin pens re-use the needle once or twice but there is really no need considering needles etc are free. Needles become blunt when reused so all you do is make it more painful and increase chances of infection.

[lynbrown]

Thanks to all ( except Johnlambert who was unnecessarlily rude). The nurse told me to change after second use. I just wondered how often other people changed theirs. There was no urgency to my query, just curiousity.

[Aprilis]

Regardless of what anyone else tells you, you should use a new needle every time. Once there is blood on the end of a needle, no matter how little, there will be microbial activity on it until the next time it is used. Therefore there is a risk of infection if the same needle is used again. You may not be able to see anything on the end of the needle with the naked eye but traces of blood and microbes will be there for sure.

If someone is diabetic then they already put up with delayed healing and take longer to recover from infections. With diabetes even a small infection of the skin can possibly lead to ulceration or even gangrene in extreme cases. Trust me, I've seen (and smelled) it for myself (and it was gross)!

I too am diabetic. I am also a Science Technician who is trained in basic microbiology and I don't think it is worth the risk. It may be minimal in most cases but you only need to be unlucky once and the consequences will far outweigh the risk.

Note to johnlambert... Where did that come from? It was totally uncalled for!! How can you have the cheek to criticise the likes of Wardy and then behave like that? I didn't think the army trained you to shoot yourself in your own foot! As a military man I would expect you to behave far more gentlemanly than that to a lady. Shame on you!

[taperface]

Lyn - my mother in law is diabetic and also used to be a nurse and health visitor, so going by what she does herself, I'd say use a fresh needle every time. Using one twice could give way to infections.