What are the risks of reusing insulin needles?
May 16, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
Hazards of reusing insulin needles include loss of needle resilience, needle clogging, and pain during injection. Long-term failure to replace the needle can cause material degradation, leading to needle obstruction, skin irritation, and increased risk of bacterial contamination. Injecting with a contaminated needle may trigger inflammation. Used needles should be discarded after each use to better ensure personal safety.
Risks of reusing insulin needles include loss of needle flexibility, needle blockage, and pain during injection. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Loss of needle flexibility
Long-term failure to replace the needle can cause material aging and reduce the needle's resilience, making it prone to deformation. During injection, the weakened needle may easily break off under the skin, creating difficulty in removal.
2. Needle blockage
Residual insulin solution may remain inside the needle. Repeated use of the same needle over time can lead to obstruction, causing the medication to become blocked within the needle and preventing proper injection.
3. Pain during injection
After contacting the skin, the needle may be subjected to pressure and become bent. Continued use of such a needle can irritate the local skin tissue, leading to pain.
In addition, long-term reuse of needles increases the risk of bacterial contamination or cross-infection, which may result in inflammation when injected into the body. Used needles should be discarded immediately to ensure personal safety. Patients who find that their symptoms are not effectively controlled after insulin injection should seek prompt medical evaluation and further treatment at a hospital.
