Needles for blood glucose meters (lancets): types, how and how many times they can be used

A lancet is a small needle for a glucometer that is used to prick the skin on your finger. It is inserted into a special device called an auto-lancet. It helps to make the prick quickly and almost imperceptibly. To ensure that everything goes painlessly and safely, these needles are made thin and sterile. What types of lancets are there for glucometers? Can they be reused?

What types of lancets are there?

Lancets are most often made of medical-grade steel, a special alloy that is resistant to corrosion. They remain sharp throughout their shelf life. Some needles are made of titanium alloys, which are durable, lightweight, and less likely to cause allergies. Lancets may contain plastic parts, for example, in the body, to make them comfortable to hold and use.

The main types of needles for glucometers:

• Universal lancets are used more often than other models. They are suitable for almost all glucometers.
• Lancets with adjustable puncture depth are convenient because you can adjust how deep the needle goes in so that it doesn't hurt.
• Children's needles for glucometers are made especially thin so that the puncture in the child's skin is very small.
• Automatic lancets are built into a disposable device. They are discarded immediately after use.

Needles for glucometers differ in thickness and length, which affects the depth of the puncture. The diameter of the lancet, which is measured in gauges (G), varies: the higher the value, the thinner the needle (for example, 33G is very thin, 28G is slightly thicker). Thin lancets are designed for people with sensitive skin or for children, as they make the puncture virtually painless. However, they may not be suitable for blood sampling in people with rough or thick skin.

Lancets also differ in the type of needle sharpening: there is classic sharpening and there is triangular sharpening, which reduces pain. Additionally, lancets come with a protective coating that helps to pierce the skin more easily, and with an automatic needle retraction feature for greater safety.

Each type of lancet has its own characteristics, but the main thing is that they are compatible with the auto-lancet or glucometer. Some needles can be used manually, without a special device. This usually applies to automatic models, where the needle is already built into the body. However, this is less convenient and can be a little more painful. An auto-lancet makes the procedure more accurate, safer, and almost imperceptible.

Why you can't use a lancet more than once

Often, the lancet still looks clean after one puncture. Can it be treated with a disinfectant and used again? Reusing a lancet for a glucometer is not a good idea. Here's why it's better not to take the risk:

• Reuse compromises the sterility of the needle, which is a direct route to infection.
• After the first use, the needle becomes duller, and the next puncture will be more painful.
• An old lancet can affect the accuracy of the analysis, as the blood sample may be incorrect.

To avoid these problems, it is always best to use a new lancet for each test. After use, the lancet cannot simply be thrown into the trash. It must be disposed of properly to avoid the risk of injury to others. There are special containers for medical waste for this purpose. If such a container is not available, a sturdy plastic jar with a lid can be used.