Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that maintains nerve cells and red blood cells, and is a necessary factor in the creation of DNA. It is naturally found in meat, shellfish, eggs, and dairy. Although vitamin B12 deficiency is rare, strict vegetarians and those who cannot adequately absorb B12 in the digestive system may benefit from B12 injections. You can successfully inject B12 using the steps below.
Steps
Step 1. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap
Step 2. Wear rubber gloves
Step 3. Decide where you will administer the injection
Vitamin B12 must be injected into the muscles. The injection is therefore usually administered in a place where there is a lot of muscle mass, such as on the upper arm, upper leg, or buttocks
Step 4. Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab
Step 5. Remove the protective cap from the needle
Step 6. Grasp the syringe with your thumb and middle finger
Step 7. Put your index finger on the plunger
This gives you more control over the syringe.
Step 8. Pinch the skin at the injection site so that it bulges up slightly
Step 9. Insert the needle at a 45 degree angle
Step 10. Release the pinched skin
Step 11. Aspirate the needle
Pull back on the plunger slightly to make sure you don't inject the vitamin into a blood vessel or vein. If you retrieved the plunger and did not draw any blood, you can gently push the plunger again to avoid causing a burning sensation.
Step 12. Remove the needle when the B12 has been fully administered
Step 13. Apply pressure with a clean cotton ball if it has started to bleed, then apply a bandage
Step 14. Put the syringe in a sharps container
Step 15. Deposit the products in a sealed plastic container
Tips
- Ask a doctor about the most suitable injection site.
- Never use needles more than once.
- Prescribed B12 syringes already contain the appropriate dose, and already have the correct needle.