For many people, inserting the needle is the most intimidating part of home SCIg. The good news is that SCIg uses small, short needles placed just under the skin, not into muscle or veins.
During training, nurses typically demonstrate proper technique and supervise several practice sessions.
“The first time you receive the infusion it can cause anxiety; it may be ideal for the first injection to be given in a provider’s office, so patients and caregivers can experience the injection with on-site help,” says Megan Ehret, PharmD, a professor in the department of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore.
The subsequent injections will get easier over time, says Ehret.
Reducing Pain or Discomfort
There are ways to make the needle insertion less painful. Ehret recommends:
- Pinch the skin using two fingers around the infusion site, and then insert the needle with a quick, dart-like motion straight into the skin.
- Numb your skin by placing an ice pack on the location for about 15 minutes prior to the injection. “This will temporarily reduce pain and serve as another distraction,” she says.
- Use numbing creams (ask your provider for recommendation or prescription) if sensitivity is an issue.
- For the first administration, start out with a slow infusion rate, and consider using an extra needle to avoid putting too much Ig in at one site — that can reduce irritation.
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Over time, many people report that needle insertion becomes routine and less stressful than they initially expected, says Ehret.
