Injection reactions?

[ClaireWF1346]

Hello lovely people. I started SI three weeks ago and each time I'm left with a red, itchy patch of above the area I've injected into (not the actual injection site, but next to it where the needle will have deposited the B12 under my skin). Because I'm on EOD injections this means just when one stops itching, then next one starts up! I've always been quite reactive to mosquito bites or wasp stings so I'm wondering if it's just me. I've tried two brands of B12 and it's the same with both. Was also the same with 1" needle (I now use 1/2"). It only lasts a day or two but it's annoying as my trousers rub with it being on my tummy.

Anybody else have this? I asked the specialist and he advised to take fexofenadine but these are costly OTC and my GP won't prescribe them. Grateful to hear if anyone has any tips to reduce the itch!

[wedgewood]

I suggest injecting by I.M. I have no problems injecting I.M.into my thighs . Into the middle outer 1/3 . using a 26G x 1inch needle . I found that sub-cutaneous injections caused irritations just under the skin.

[Nackapan in reply to wedgewood]

Oh that's a shame .

[ClaireWF1346 in reply to wedgewood]

That's it, it's an irritation of the skin where the liquid has been injected as opposed to the injection site. I've only just gotten used to SC and haven't been shown how to do IM but I'll see what the specialist says. Thanks!

[Nackapan]

Try sc injecting your thighs or upper arm 🤔

Or slightly longer needle or different make of needle ?

Clean thd area tk be injected first.

Then make sure dry .

B12 at room temperature.

Ice block on area before of warmth.

I count to 10 before withdrawing the needle and give area a quick rub.

IM relax the muscle

Sc hold a roll of fl4sh.gently .

27-30G suitable 1/2 -3/4 long depending on your weight.

Different make of needle.

I have sc and IM

IM have had 23G and 25G at the surgery .

Some brands of B12 have more fluid.

Most have 1ml

Some brands are thinner .

Some ideas to try

Both havd caused a soreness bruise or itch at times .

Also depends if you've hit a nerve.

[ClaireWF1346]

It's not a reaction at the entry point of the needle, but to the skin above where the B12 had been injected in. I do all of the things you suggest apart from leaving the needle 10s before withdrawing so will try that to see any difference, thanks. I have absolutely no pain or sensation from injecting but it's about 12 hours later it begins.

[Nackapan in reply to ClaireWF1346]

Perhaps the angle of the needle ??Strange it's happening every time

[ClaireWF1346 in reply to Nackapan]

45 degrees every time, just as I was shown!

[Nackapan in reply to ClaireWF1346]

Perhaps try deeper .Vertically into the pinched roll of flesh.

In the outer thigh for example to try first .

Depending on how thin you are this should be fine on your stomach 2" away from belly button too.

I do that as the needle is only 1/2 " long .

I've enough flesh to use 90deg.

I trued 45d but it did pool under the skin and itch. !

My husband dorss 4× day of insulin straight in . All different locations as so many .

Also did this before 'pens' many yests ago .

Less fluid but I've had 2mg/ 1ml for over 4 yesrs sc

Over 5 years IM .

I'm sure you will find a technique that will work for you

[ClaireWF1346 in reply to Nackapan]

Did my first IM thigh injection today. I have nerve damage numbness down my left leg so made use of that. Every cloud! No pain just a bit of stinging as I plunged. Back to the 1" needle. Thanks for your advice. Just wondering if I did something wrong as when I withdrew the needle a little pool of B12 appeared on my skin. Did I withdraw too quickly do you think? I am so scared of injecting the wrong place!

[HugoMinney]

I use 29g 12mm needle, vertical im (full depth of needle) into my thigh, the easiest place to reach.Dr Chandy and I observed similar red "bruises" on someone who was a little curvy, who also didn't get benefits from the B12. Turns out the B12 was stopped under skin in a layer of fat, hence the red bloom that was uncomfortable (she didn't specially say itch). We switched her to vertical injection im and she both got the benefit of the injection, and didn't get the marks.

For me, thigh is the easiest for self injection. Easy to see what you are doing (further away than a roll of stomach), don't need to pinch it. I place the needle on the skin and coax it in rather than jabbing, I inject twice a week so I have had a lot of time to think about reducing pain and improving comfort.

29g 12mm are the smallest insulin needles I can find, I inject 0.1ml of 4mg/ml, ie 400mcg per injection

[ClaireWF1346 in reply to HugoMinney]

Interesting! I have some excess padding around my stomach and I'm probably classed as overweight...so maybe I have too much fat! I am definitely seeing the benefits from B12 though, even in just 3 weeks of EOD injections. I do have one partially numb thigh (one of my symptoms) so it would perhaps help with the discomfort to inject there, I just need to check with the specialist I saw in Cambridge.

I have always had extreme skin reactions to bites and stings, with my skin swelling in patches, burning and itching following bites and it's a similar reaction, without the burning. It only last a day per injection so it's not the end of the world, just annoying more than anything. Thanks for your tips, I'll speak to the specialist.

[Nackapan in reply to ClaireWF1346]

Yes have a word.Nurses are often better at inj3ctiin techniques than specialists.

More practice.

A longer needle or 90deg. I expect will work better for you.

[wedgewood in reply to HugoMinney]

If you go on Amazon.co.uk , you can find finer, shorter needles . If you are interested , look for Antonmove ( called stainless steel industrial pipes !!) You can get 30 G x 4mm , 6 mm, 8mm , 13mm and 25mm . They are made in China , but are excellent . Obviously 100% sterile and individually wrapped as one would expect . Don’t know why they have such a strange description.

[Hockey_player]

Do you rub the area with something like alcohol first that you could be reacting to? I find Benadryl works well when I get an allergic rash.

[ClaireWF1346 in reply to Hockey_player]

I use a pre-injection wipe which is "70% IPA alcohol". I was wondering this myself actually because I wipe the area, allow it to dry and then hold another swab on the injection site after (as I was taught to reduce bruising) and I was wondering if alcohol was "getting in" that way. Maybe I should get some little cotton wool balls instead like they use in surgery. Thanks, it's a good shout and I'll adjust my routine slightly 👍🏽

[Hockey_player in reply to ClaireWF1346]

My husband gives me my injections. We use a kleenex (tissue) and some rubbing alcohol.

[Oneash]

Double check the syringe doesn't contain any air bubbles. I sometimes get a pink patch, or bruises, but not itchy.

[ClaireWF1346 in reply to Oneash]

Interesting. Now I think of it, the injection I did yesterday has not really been itching...so maybe I'm adjusting. Definitely a pink patch each time though. I do check and get rid of any (even tiny) ones by drawing back and forth slowly until they've gone. Will definitely keep an eye out though, thanks.