sub cutaneous

[smg1950]

Hi Ive just read that for subq best to do at 45 degree angle. Is this right? Also my injection site is quite red but I’m not sure if reacting to cleaning swab.I do have very fair skin. I have at last got go ahead for B12 jabs from GP after both haematologist and gastroenterologist said I need them .A battle but got there finally

[wedgewood]

if you don’t have much fat at the injection site , and are using the usual 1/2 inch 30G needle, inject at 45degtees .You don’t want to penetrate beyond the fat layer . If you are using that same needle , and you have a thick layer of fat , you can inject at 90 degrees , as the injection material will go into that fat layer .

[topazrat]

When you say quite red, do you mean like a Barbie pink colour? When injecting sub-cut, it is common to get a pink patch at the injection site. This is just the B12 under the skin. It goes away in a few days, as it gets absorbed by the body. Sometimes I get a pink mark, sometimes not, but its nothing to worry about.

I inject straight in, like a dart with a half inch needle into a pinched up roll of fat on my tum and have never bothered with a cleaning swab.

[smg1950 in reply to topazrat]

thank you

[smg1950 in reply to topazrat]

Thanks. I suppose I just worry I am allergic to ingredients in the jab. They are the size of 50pencecpieces and still here 5 days later! Slightly itchy . Do you think take antihistamine ?Thanks

[jade_s in reply to smg1950]

Are you using the tummy area? I started getting allergic reactions a few weeks into SI sub-cut and couldn't figure it out. Well I started putting a tissue between the injection site and my pants (trousers? LOL american here) and it fixed it. I think it was getting irritated from the waist band and perhaps mixing with sweat.

I inject at 90 degrees, it's a "deep subcut" and quite suitable. In fact I switched from a 3/8" to 1/2" needle because I felt that the short subcut was getting less effective.

[smg1950 in reply to jade_s]

Thank you I’ll give it a go

[Rexz]

I concur with Wedgewood. Normally injection is at 90 degrees for subcutaneous. 45 degrees is only recommended if you have a very thin fat layer. Some people pinch to draw some fat up and away from the muscle and inject into that spot. Personally I inject just straight 90 degrees into my thigh with no pinch. I've been doing that for a couple of years now with no issues.

Here are a few links for your reference.

b12vitaminstore.com/default...

livewellsouthwest.co.uk/wp-...

perniciousanemia.org/b12/in...

[tomdickharry]

45 degrees is correct. I tried it a few times but went back to IM as I found SC very painful.