how to give yourself an insulin injection hello and welcome to videojug over 800,000 Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes this year if you're diagnosed with diabetes and need insulin injections in order to survive your doctor will be sure to teach you the proper method of injecting insulin however for a quick refresher we're here to help you will need a sink to wash and dry your hands an alcohol swab a syringe and needle your bottle of insulin and a covered trash container step 1 gather supplies as a diabetic you will use your insulin supplies every day several times a day it's best if you keep your insulin supplies together in a bag or kit so that you can carry them with you wherever you go step 2 scrub up wash your hands and dry them thoroughly then clean your injection spot with the alcohol prep pad let the alcohol dry on the skin so it doesn't sting when you make the injection step 3 insulin check check your insulin to see how much you need to administer the insulin type expiration date and the color step 4 clean and clear clear insulin does not need to be agitated to agitate cloudy insulin turn the bottle on its side and roll it between the palms of your hands don't shake it now use the alcohol prep pad to clean the top of the bottle step 5 pick a spot there are several body areas where you may give yourself an insulin shot these include your outer upper arms front and sides of both thighs buttocks or hip area and abdomen if you do inject yourself into the abdomen avoid the two inch circle around your navel because that area does not absorb as well step 6 draw remove the cap from the needle pull back the plunger on the syringe to draw in enough air to equal your insulin dose push the needle into the bottle top and inject the air into the bottle turn the bottle and syringe upside down now pull the plunger to withdraw the correct insulin dose into the syringe step 7 air check if you see any air bubbles tap the syringe with your finger to make them rise to the top slowly push in the plunger until all the bubbles are gone return to your dosage level and remove the needle from the bottle step 8 pinch and push slightly pinch a fold of skin between your thumb and forefinger holding the syringe at a 90 degree angle push the needle all the way into the skin let go of the pinch tissue before injecting the insulin press the plunger using a slow and steady push count slowly to 5 before removing the needle step 9 clean up pull out the needle and rub an alcohol pad over the site throw away any use disposable needles and syringes safely in a hard container that the needles cannot stick through done