Insulin Injection: Can Diabetics Re-use Their Insulin Syringes? Know

In type 1 diabetes patients, the pancreas stops producing insulin, so patients inject insulin daily. Whereas in type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces less insulin, patients sometimes have to inject insulin to make up for the lack of insulin. People use insulin injections several times a day to get a dose of insulin injections.

According to Healthline.com, insulin can be given in different ways. Some people take insulin doses with a syringe, pen, or pump. Experts say that some people use syringes used to take insulin doses for weeks or months. But now the question arises whether syringes, even if being used by only one person, can be used again and again. Let us know whether the syringe should be used repeatedly or not.

Can diabetics re-use their insulin syringes?
According to Dr... Sachin Bajaj, Founder, and Director, of Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, reusing insulin pen needles can lead to an increase in the number of bacteria on the needle, which can cause pain when injected. There may also be a risk of bleeding and injury if you use this syringe again.

Repeated use of such syringes can increase the risk of lipohypertrophy (loose skin). There is also a high risk of breaking the very fine tip of the needle with repeated use of the syringe. According to experts, reusing insulin needles can lead to serious infections.

Things to keep in mind when using an insulin syringe:
Dr. Anil Bhoraskar, Senior Diabetologist, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim and Secretary, Diabetic Association of India (Scientific Section) informed that once used syringes should not be reused. Use the needle with the insulin syringe only once. It is not a good idea to reuse insulin needles. These needles become blunt when used once and cause more pain when used again. Syringes and needles need to be changed regularly, even if the injection is given only once a day.

Dangers of reusing insulin injections:

According to experts, reusing a syringe can hurt health. Because of this, the patient may end up being admitted to the hospital. The expert said that never use the same syringe on two different people, as there is a high risk of spreading the infection. Diabetic patients should avoid reusing needles.