Needles

[Keano100]

Nurse said today need to change needle with every test. Is that really necessary?

 

[Antje77]

Many of us don't. However, the leaflet says to do so.

 

[KK123]

If you mean insulin needles, I never used to but when I went on a course they said you really should. Even after one use the needle may become blunt so to protect your skin and minimise lumpy injection sites, etc, change it. If you mean finger prick needles, again you are supposed to but I don't.

 

[Antje77]

@Keano100 , do you mean the insulin needles or the lancets to prick your finger with?

 

[Keano100]

I meant needles for testing.

 

[corbanwolf]

These are lancets, and you should always change them. It is advised. However I change them every 5 pricks or sometimes 10 pricks if I feel lazy.

Needles for insulin injection are advised to be changed each time. However I don't think everyone does. I change them at the end of the day.

 

[Harrysdad]

Once a year, regular as clockwork.

 

[oldgreymare]

Lancets - I'm very lazy to change, wait until they really hurt (i.e., blunt). Pragmatically in 12 years I have had maybe 1 infected finger sampling site that resolved without treatment.

Injection needles - ditto wait until these hurt, typically after 6 or so shots, but also sooner if bent or accidentally brushed against the cap.

IMPORTANT - doesn't mean I advise following my example.

 

[Keano100]

Cheers actually thought was a fiddly job but actually easy. I’ll probably change them daily thanks.

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

I dial a new lancet in every pot of 50 strips, I replace the Fast clix cartidge of six lancets every six pots.

 

[UK T1]

Hi, I've always been worried about either infection, or scar tissue forming from injecting with a blunt needle, so I change my lancet and needle every time. It is what I have been advised to do over the years at various clinics/courses so doesn't feel unnecessary, but I appreciate many don't do that. I also don't have to pay for lancets so understand if you're left funding it might be a consideration. I have had to reuse a few times when I've been out and used all my spares, but have found reusing needles particularly painful which has always put me off, the close up pictures of blunt needles helps put me off it too!

 

[Daibell]

Some say that Lancets should be changed on St Swithins Day....

 

[lessci]

It depends which lancet I'm using, the single use one I tend to change every time, the accucheck when it starts to hurt

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

Some say that Lancets should be changed on St Swithins Day....

I had to google that one.