Lancets are small, sharp medical instruments designed to obtain a tiny blood sample, most commonly for blood glucose monitoring. These devices are essential for individuals managing conditions like diabetes, enabling them to regularly check their blood sugar levels with a glucometer. While lancets are integral to this process, a common question arises regarding their reuse. The answer is clear and unequivocal: no, you cannot safely use the same lancet twice.
Why Lancets Are Single-Use
Lancets are engineered for sterility and precision during a single skin puncture. After just one use, the microscopically sharp tip of a new lancet undergoes immediate changes. Its fine point can become dull, bent, or develop tiny burrs and dents, even if not visible to the naked eye. This microscopic damage impacts subsequent uses.
A dull or damaged lancet increases pain and discomfort. The blunted tip does not pierce cleanly, causing more tissue damage, bruising, soreness, or calluses. Such repeated trauma can make it more challenging to obtain an adequate blood sample and may even affect the long-term health of the skin. Bench tests indicate a 52% drop in piercing efficiency after just one reuse, directly increasing fingertip pain.
Health Risks of Reusing Lancets
After piercing the skin, a lancet is no longer sterile and becomes contaminated with blood, skin cells, and microorganisms, introducing significant health risks. Reusing a lancet can cause localized bacterial infections, leading to pain, swelling, redness, or more severe complications. A study found that 34% of lancets cultured after a single reuse contained Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of finger infections.
Beyond localized infections, there is a significant risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens. Sharing a lancet, even inadvertently, can transmit serious infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Even if reused by the same individual, it carries the user’s own blood and potential pathogens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends against reusing any fingerstick devices and lancets, especially by more than one person, citing outbreaks of hepatitis B linked to improper monitoring.
Proper Handling and Disposal of Lancets
For every blood glucose test, it is important to use a new, sterile lancet. This practice helps ensure accuracy and hygiene, reducing the risk of pain and infection. Before a fingerstick, wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water to remove contaminants and promote blood flow.
After use, lancets are considered “sharps” and must be disposed of safely to prevent injuries and infection spread. The recommended method is to immediately place used lancets into an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. These containers are made of rigid, puncture-resistant plastic with a tight-fitting lid. If an FDA-cleared container is not immediately available, a heavy-duty plastic household container, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle with a screw-on lid, can serve as a temporary alternative.
It is important to avoid recapping lancets, bending or breaking them, or disposing of them in regular household trash or recycling bins. These actions can lead to accidental needle sticks for individuals handling waste.