1. Get the supplies you'll need: insulin bottle syringe alcohol swabs container for the used syringe 2. Wash your hands. 3. Check the insulin bottle to make sure it hasn't expired. 4. Remove the lid from the insulin bottle. 5. Wipe the rubber top of the bottle with an alcohol swab. 6. Remove the cap from the syringe. Pull air into the syringe by pulling back on the plunger until its black tip is even with the line showing the dose you'll need. Note: This information is for educational purposes only. For specific guidance on giving an insulin injection, talk with your doctor. Push the needle through the rubber top of the bottle. Push the plunger so that the air goes from the syringe into the bottle. Note: This information is for educational purposes only. For specific guidance on giving an insulin injection, talk with your doctor. Turn the insulin bottle and syringe upside down. To pull insulin into the syringe, slowly pull back on the plunger until the top of its black tip is even with the line showing your dose. The most common places to inject insulin are the abdomen (belly), the back of the upper arms, the upper buttocks, and the outer thighs. Choose a place to make the injection, and wipe the skin with an alcohol swab. Note: This information is for educational purposes only. For specific guidance on giving an insulin injection, talk with your doctor. Gently pinch the skin. Hold the syringe at a 90-degree angle to the skin, and push the needle all the way in. Let go of the pinched skin, and slowly push the plunger to inject all of the insulin. Wait about 5 seconds before pulling out the needle. Don't just put the used syringe in the trash. Instead, put it in a plastic or metal container with a tight lid. When the container is full, be sure the lid is closed and put it in the trash. Note: This information is for educational purposes only. For specific guidance on giving an insulin injection, talk with your doctor. Back to Articles Related Articles Word! Insulin Injections Insulin is an important hormone that keeps your body working. If a person doesn't make enough of this substance, he or she may need to get insulin injections. Read More Diabetes Center Our Diabetes Center provides information and advice for teens about treating and living with diabetes. Read More Diabetes Center Does your child have type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Learn how to manage the disease and keep your child healthy. Read More Diabetes Center Diabetes means a problem with insulin, an important hormone in the body. Find out how children with diabetes can stay healthy and do the normal stuff kids like to do. Read More Definition: Insulin Injections Although researchers are testing other ways to give insulin, it's only available now in a form that must be injected just under the skin. Read More Definition: Insulin Injections Although researchers are testing other ways to give insulin, it's only available now in a form that must be injected just under the skin. Read More How to Give an Insulin Injection This step-by-step graphic shows how to give an insulin injection. Read More How to Give an Insulin Injection This step-by-step graphic shows how to give an insulin injection. Read More Hypoglycemia When blood glucose levels drop too low, it's called hypoglycemia. Very low blood sugar levels can cause severe symptoms that require immediate treatment. Read More Diabetes Control: Why It's Important Keeping blood sugar levels under control can help keep you healthy and prevent health problems from happening down the road. Find out more. Read More Medicines for Diabetes Whether your child is taking insulin or pills (or both) to control diabetes, it's important to learn how diabetes medicines work. Read More Helping Kids Deal With Injections and Blood Tests Blood tests and insulin injections can be a challenge for kids with diabetes and their parents. Here are some strategies for coping with these necessary procedures. Read More Blood Glucose Record If your child has diabetes, you can use this printable sheet to record his or her blood glucose levels. Read More Hyperglycemia and Diabetic Ketoacidosis When blood glucose levels (also called blood sugar levels) are too high, it's called hyperglycemia. A major goal in controlling diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels as close to the desired range as possible. Read More Chandler's Diabetes Story People who have diabetes have to pay special attention to what they eat and need to stay aware of the amount of sugar in their blood. So what's it like to have diabetes? Just ask Chandler! Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.