Always try to do self-injections in a safe, clean place when you aren’t crunched for time (like right before work). [1] X Research source
If your medication comes in a vial, use a clean syringe to draw up the medication.
Your hands and feet are really far from your heart, so the injection wound will take longer to heal. Leg veins have a higher chance of forming clots, which can lead to serious circulation issues and major health complications. [6] X Research source Warning: Avoid self-injecting your medication into your neck or groin area. Both of these injection sites contain major arteries (the jugular and femoral, respectively), and it can be deadly to pierce them by mistake. [7] X Research source
If you’re injecting into your hand, ball your hand into a fist and roll your wrist forward so the veins are more visible. As a general rule of thumb, aim for the veins that are closer to your wrist—these are easier to inject into. [9] X Research source Two condoms tied together can work in a pinch if you don’t have a tourniquet on hand. [10] X Research source Tip: Before applying the tourniquet, hold out your arm and rotate it in big circles for 20-30 seconds. This helps more blood flow into your arm, which makes the vein easier to find. [11] X Research source
Regular soap and water can work in a pinch, along with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
If no blood is in the syringe: Gently remove the needle, undo the tourniquet, and press on the injection wound with a cotton ball or tissue. Then, redo the tourniquet and try again at a different injection site. [14] X Research source If the blood in the syringe is bright red: You’ve likely hit an artery instead of a vein—remove the needle carefully and undo your tourniquet. Then (if you can), lift the injection site so it’s above your head. At this time, press on the wound for 10 minutes with a tissue or cotton ball to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding still hasn’t stopped after this point, get medical help right away. Warning: Always make sure your needle is in a vein before you inject any medication. If you inject into tissue outside of the vein, you could develop an abscess (a severe skin infection). [15] X Research source
Any sturdy container (made with metal or plastic) with a snug-fitting lid works well for this. If you need to inject medication a lot, wait until this container is full of old needles before tossing it out. You can also dispose of your used needles in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container.
Vitamin E oil can help with scarring while bruise creams can help cut down on bruising. [23] X Research source Just make sure that your injection wound is closed up before applying either product, or else you could develop an infection. [24] X Research source If you suspect that you might have a infection, visit a doctor or walk-in clinic for treatment.
