Insulin Injections Thru Clothing

[Jill-O]

Hi, Folks --

How many of you inject insulin through clothing?

Is it considered safe?

Just thinking how much easier it would make things when eating at a restaurant.

Thanks!
Jill

http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/heroes-smileys-64589/nurse.gif

[deansreef]

i would not suggest injecting thru clothing. it will dull the needle fast and make injections painful...it can pick up contaminates from the clothing; dirt and dust, etc.

please do not inject thru your clothes.

[cheryl]

I've done it, still would do it, if I was on shots LOL.....am still alive and no illness's....

Cheryl

[parrotletzoo]

I hate to disagree but until I started pumping (23yrs worth) I injected through my clothes and never had a problem. My doctor knew about it and approved. As long as your clothes aren't filthy it really shouldn't be a problem. Yes it will dull the needle sooner but we should only be using needles once anyway.

Also, research has been done that shows it is safe to inject through clothing

INJECTING INSULIN THROUGH CLOTHING (http://nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/vod/vodsum0425.htm)

The safety of injecting insulin through clothing -- Fleming et al. 20 (3): 244 -- Diabetes Care (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/20/3/244)

if you want references.

[Jan B]

I don't do it at home, but I do it when I'm out (unless I can easily get to some skin). 28 years and counting.

People do ask me "did you just do it through your clothes?"; I say yes; and they say ummm.

[caswellhb]

I do if I am out and about. I've never had a problem with it.

Heather.

[w5wjp]

Before the pump, I had several shirts with small blood spots from hitting small surface veins through the shirt. Never had a problem....other than some friends saying..OUCH!!!!

[Lizzy]

When I was on MDI I shot through my shirts all the time. Never had a problem. Never did try through my jeans tho, a little too tuff for me. And I use to use my needles more than once too.

[ladytaz]

I've tried it a couple times, at home. Just to try it! LOL

Since I use syringes, I still excuse myself to the restroom, when "out". I think I'd feel a bit odd, to draw up my insulin out of the vial, our in front of everyone, in public. In a home situation, it doesn't bother me at all. Though, I still usually excuse myself to somewhere private to inject. Some people are squeamish about needles. I don't want to upset anyone about that. Pens, that would be a whole different story there. But, I can't afford that. So, with syringes, I'll stay.

Testing. I'll do that anywhere. I really don't care what people think about that! I can also, do that discreetly enough, anyway.

I also use my needles ,usually twice. Occasionally three times.

[TenderVittleS]

I've never injected through clothing. It takes a second to roll up my sleeves and if I do it in the leg than I go to the restroom. I want comfort!!!

[Alice]

I inject through clothing all the time...life is too short. I use a new pen needle each injection, so I don't have problems with "dull needles". Denim...not so much...it's a really tough fabric sometimes.

If I'm all dressed up in silks, then I'm a little more cautious and go for the bare skin. Still, I'm not much of a "bleeder" since I aim for fat...

[BlueSky]

On the one occasion that I tried injecting through clothes, I got blood on my shirt. So I haven't done it again. I prefer to be able to see exactly what I am doing any way. :o

[Bunkins]

During the winter time I do.. I normally dress in layers with a long sleeve shirt, and my work uniform.. To untuck my clothes, roll up my sleeves or whatever is just a pain. I use longer pen needles when I do it.. So yeah during the winter I do it.. Summer time no, because of my short sleeve uniform it's easy to get at my arms, unless I'm giving the injection in my stomach, which I normally prefer.. I also use my needles several times, once I feel they start getting dull I change them. With my pain tolerance, most of the time I have to double check I even got the needle in because I cant feel it, and I never bleed from it. A needle thats a little dull doesnt bother me at all, but I change them to reduce skin damage.. I've never had any problems with it..

If I eat out, which is very rare, I take a shot before going inside, if I decide to eat something that requires more insulin I just correct it when I get back to the truck. I'm one of those people that eats pretty much the same things all the time, I eat the same sub from Subway every single work day during the week, people think I'm odd because of that LOL. I dont even feel comfortable giving insulin around family members, seems everytime I do that around people I know it just starts up the whole deal where they are watching me to see what I'm eatting or asking questions I dont like them asking..

[UpNorth]

I've injected through thin clothes that covers my prefered injection area... Like if i wear one of those "bodys" that hold in and shapes, and wearing trousers too, then i have injected through the "body" thingy to not have to go to the bathroom, take my trousers down and then roll up the "body" to inject on my abdomen... At that time i "refused" to use my legs for injections:o Could have used my arms though, but didn't want to show everyone at a big party that i was injecting at the table. Might aswell have put up a stage with a neonsign then:T "Type1 diabetic taking insulin->->->"
I don't mind injecting in public, but doing it in a highly eyecatching area in front of i can't remember how many relatives and family friends, that's a bit too public even for my liking:T

But i haven't made it a habit to do it through clothing... only do it if i really have to...

[palefacegirl03]

When on MDI , I injected thru clothes a few times. No problems.

[JediSkipdogg]

I never did it and personally it's not something I would do. Depending on what the material is it could dull or damage the needle right before injection and make the injection more painful. Also, if you hit blood, you won't immediately tell and you may bleed into your clothing which if it's a nice outfit, could ruin it. That's one reason I like pumping so much, otherwise I'd only be using my arms at work for shots.

[Mich]

:) (chuckle chuckle)

My old doc was a lifelong diabetic himself. He did it all the time and told me to go ahead too. Before I started pumping I used to do it anytime it was not convenient to show skin. It even worked through levis. but I only used my needles once, especially if I injected through something. It never resulted in an infection.

[Alice]

(Textile major here...) Trust me. Those who are "re-using needles" are getting a much more dull needle than someone using a fresh, new sharp through fabrics. It would have to be a tough fabric to feel the difference...like denim.

Also, you really can't inject into thick fabrics or layers...the needle wouldn't penetrate far enough...so, single layer, even sweaters should be fine.

I don't feel any pain at all...but I can certainly understand if some people don't inject through clothing. Again, I see it as a "what am I wearing?" and "where am I?" type of thing.

[someone]

I injected through clothes when I was on MDI. Didn't have any problems with it and it saves lots of time especially if you are in public.

[issysmommy]

I inject Symlin now (also on pump) and I tend to inject in the car before I go into a restaurant. Not always as easy to do with insulin.

But I'd worry about jeans. I think it is not a big deal. I don't use the alcohol swabs. Does that count?

[TrueWorship]

Before I got my pump, I injected through my clothing a few times. My sister, did it more often. I'm sure she probably still does. Neither of us either had problems with it. I think we may have gotten a couple small blood stains on clothing, but they were usually pretty small and unnoticeable.

Jenn

[Jill-O]

Thanks for the input, folks :) I was thinking to do so would be a lot more convenient at restaurants or when I'm wearing a dress. I use pens so that will help.

I have another questions. What does MDI mean?

[valc3]

I have another questions. What does MDI mean?


Multiple Daily Injections.

[Jill-O]

Thank you!!!! I guess I am an MDI'ist http://www.whinny4me.com/Smileys/smartass.gif

[mike-munich]

when I was still on ICT and using a pen I would inject through my uniform while in the patrol car or in the helicopter. at the restaurant I'd just excuse myself to the bathroom for 2 minutes. I never had a problem/infection because of it (and the uniform was dirty in the field sometimes). having a pump made everything alot easier ! :cool: