- Subcutaneous injection
A subcutaneous injection is administered as a bolus into the
subcutis , [DorlandsDict|four/000053802|subcutaneous injection] the layer of skin directly below thedermis and epidermis, collectively referred to as thecutis . Subcutaneous injections are highly effective in administering vaccines and such medications asinsulin ,morphine , diacetylmorphine orgoserelin .A person with Type I
diabetes mellitus typically injects insulin subcutaneously. Places on the body where people can inject insulin most easily are:
* The outer area of theupper arm .
* Just above and below thewaist , except the area right around thenavel (a 2-inch circle).
* The upper area of thebuttock , just behind the hip bone.
* The front of thethigh , midway to the outer side, 4 inches below the top of the thigh to 4 inches above the knee.These areas can vary with the size of the person. Changing the injection site keeps lumps or small dents called lipodystrophies from forming in the skin. However, people should try to use the same body area for injections that are given at the same time each day-for example, always using the
abdomen for the morning injection or an arm for the evening injectionFact|date=February 2007. Using the same body area for these routine injections lessens the possibility of changes in the timing and action of insulin.Fact|date=February 2007References
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