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How to Make Injections As Painless As Possible

March 04, 2024
How to Make Injections As Painless As Possible Up to 30% of people have a fear of needles and needle pain, which can sometimes get in the way of taking injectable medication. Whether you share those fears or are just interested in making your injections more tolerable, here’s how to decrease pain and stress for a better experience. [Section Hed:] Understanding Your Injection Options [Subsection:] Types of Injection Devices [Subsection:] At-Home: ● Auto-injector pen ○ To use one of these pre-filled pens, open the safety cap, touch the pen to your skin, and then simply click the button to start the release of medication. ○ They’re usually used for self-administered injections. ○ Although there is a needle, you don’t see it. This may be preferable for people with a fear of needles. ○ The medication is released at its own speed—so you can’t control how fast it’s injected. ● Syringe ○ More-traditional needles can be used for self-injection or for shots given by a healthcare provider. ○ These commonly come pre-filled. Open the safety cap, insert the needle tip into the skin, and then push the syringe plunger to start the release of the medication. Sometimes, you’ll need to fill them with medication yourself. ○ As you push, you can control the speed at which the medicine goes into your body. [Subsection:] An Alternative Option ● IV (intravenous) infusion ○ Some medications can be administered from an IV at a doctor’s office, at an infusion center, or at home via special home infusion services. ○ Infusion can take from 30 minutes to a few hours. [Note to design: Add this as a separate box:] Some people also like to visit their doctor’s office for support while self-administering their auto-injector or syringe medications. Some medication brands have resources such as nurse ambassador programs in which a nurse will call you at your home and talk you through your injections over the phone. [Subsection:] Types of Injections ● Subcutaneous, or under the skin ● Intradermal, or in between layers of skin ● Intramuscular, or into a muscle ● Intravenous, or into a vein Your medication’s instructions will tell you how and where you should inject it. [Section Hed:] Tips for Pain-Free Self-Injections These strategies may help ease any discomfort during your injections. Check with your doctor before changing your injection routine to make sure it’s right for you and appropriate for the medication. [Subsection:] What to Try ● If appropriate, take your medication out of the fridge 20–30 minutes ahead of time to warm up. ● Inject yourself in a different place on your body than you did last time. ● Numb the area first with an ice pack. ● Try a numbing cream, which your doctor may prescribe for you. These creams may take up to 20 minutes to work. ● Clean the injection site with alcohol but wait a few minutes for it to evaporate. Injection of alcohol may increase the sting. ● Massage the area afterward, if your doctor okays it. ● Ask for help. Find out whether your medication’s manufacturer offers ambassadors who can walk you through your injection and offer best practices. ● Listen to music or a guided meditation just before the injection. ● Take a peek—looking at the needle (rather than away) may reduce pain, some research suggests. ● Take a deep breath and hold it while you insert the needle or click the pen. ● Watch for a reaction. If there’s redness, warmth, swelling, itch, or pain, talk to your doctor. ● Reward yourself for a job well done! [Subsection:] What Not to Do ● Don’t inject into an area on your body with bruises, stretch marks, or scars. ● Don’t move the needle around during the injection. Keep the needle at the same angle as you both deliver and remove it. [Final note/box:] It’s important to take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. Administer the right dosage at the right time. And if you need support, just ask! SOURCES Arthritis Foundation. 5 Ways to Take the Sting Out of Self-Injections. Boerner, K. E. et al. (2015) Simple Psychological Interventions for Reducing Pain from Common Needle Procedures in Adults: Systematic Review of Randomized and Quasi-Randomized Controlled Trials. The Clinical Journal of Pain. McLenon, J. & Rogers, M. A. M. (2019) The fear of needles: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing. McMurtry, C. M. et al. (2015) Far from “Just a Poke”: Common Painful Needle Procedures and the Development of Needle Fear. The Clinical Journal of Pain. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (Updated 2020) How to Give Yourself a Subcutaneous Injection Using a Prefilled Syringe. Rai, K. et al. (2011) Effect of massage on pain perception after administration of intramuscular injection among adult patients. Nursing & Midwifery Research Journal. Sugimoto, D. et al. (2021) Meditation Monologue Can Reduce Clinical Injection-Related Anxiety: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. Vermeire, S. et al. (2018) Preference for a prefilled syringe or an auto-injection device for delivering golimumab in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis: A randomized crossover study. Patient Preference and Adherence.