What to Do If a Needle Breaks While Taking an Injection

Having diabetes is no walk in the park and I speak from experience. Its a serious disease that can cause mild issues such as excessive thirst, to more serious issues like fatigue, neuropathy, kidney problems, heart failure and stroke. Then, throw in the fact that you have to give yourself injections everyday and life with diabetes can be a bit daunting. But, you do what you can to keep an eye on your sugar level and take your medications in a timely manner. Then, it comes time to give yourself an injection - in the stomach or elsewhere - and, as youre doing so, the needle breaks off under your skin. How horrible! What should you do? Just seeing that the needle has snapped can be frightening but, if you remain calm, you can take care of the problem.

Reassure yourself that the needle is not going to remain there. You are okay. It is, however, important that the needle be removed as soon as possible. Theres a risk of infection and, should the needle begin to travel, it can cause serious damage. First, get a pair of good tweezers from the medicine cabinet and attempt to pull out the hypodermic by yourself. Push down on the skin on two opposite sides of the needle to see if enough of the needle will be exposed enough to grab it with the tweezers.

If youre unable to grasp the needle with the tweezers you have little choice but to go to a doctor to have it removed. Visit a minor emergency room, regular emergency room or even your doctors office to get worked in to the schedule. With a needle stuck in your stomach youll be rushed in as soon as possible. In the meanwhile, try not to worry and try to remain calm. The doctor will attempt to remove the broken needle by grabbing it with hemostats. If thats not possible its sometimes necessary to numb the area, make a tiny incision, and remove the needle that way. Upon having the broken needle removed the first order of business is to notify the company that manufactured the needles. Take the box, and any remaining needles, to the drug store where they were purchased. Request that they notify the manufacturer. If they cant do that for you, use the information on the box - or online - to notify the company of the problem. Having diabetes - or any condition which requires you to inject yourself - is not fun. But, having a needle break off during an injection is a nightmare. It happens infrequently, so it likely wont ever happen to you, but in case it does, above all, just dont panic.