What Is a Hypodermic Needle? Uses, Types & Safety Tips
Parenteral medication administration is a key component of therapy in every healthcare setup. Substances that cannot be given orally are injected either intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly, among other routes, to avoid digestive side effects. In this regard, the use of hypodermic needles is extensive. But what are these products, and how safe are they to be employed?
Intravenous injections are one of the main ways of delivering medications
In this article, we will also dive into their types as well as some of the uses. In addition, some of the well-known hypodermic needle brands are listed below for the reader’s convenience.
What are Hypodermic Needles?
Hypodermic needles are the medical tools used for either injecting substances into the body or withdrawing blood or other fluid samples from it. These come attached to a syringe and are hollow. Due to their thin design, these hypodermic needles can easily penetrate the tissues under the skin, hence the name hypodermic, i.e., hypo means below or under and dermic indicates the dermis.
Types
Hypodermic needles are widely employed in healthcare facilities. These are available in the following kinds based on the type of injection they can deliver:
Intramuscular Injections
Hypodermic needles are used to deliver intramuscular injections that are delivered directly into the muscle tissue. For this purpose, the ideal gauge size should be 20 to 29 gauge, while the needle length is 13 mm to 16 mm. While giving an intramuscular injection, the needle should be placed at an angle of 90 degrees with the skin.
Intradermal Injections
Intradermal medical delivery is also possible with the use of hypodermic needles. In such cases, the needle is inserted beneath the dermal layer, which is below the upper layer of the skin. These types of injections are used to test skin allergies. The needle size for this purpose is 25 to 30 gauge, while the length is 8 mm to 13 mm.
The width of these needles is small and ranges between 0.5 mm to 0.3 mm. While giving the injection, the needle should be at an angle of 10 degrees with the skin.
Subcutaneous Injections
Another use of hypodermic needles is their use for the delivery of subcutaneous medications. For this purpose, the needle is injected into the subcutaneous layer present between the skin and muscles. These are often required for injecting insulin into diabetic patients.
For subcutaneous purposes, the suitable needle size varies between 25 and 30 gauge, while the length should be ½ to 5/8 or 4 mm to 8 mm. It should be kept in mind that the medications delivered via subcutaneous route take a long time for being fully absorbed. This period may extend over 24 hours.
Intravenous Injections
Intravenous injections require hypodermic needles that are between 20 and 25 gauge sizes. As for the length, these should be ½ inches or longer. The product is employed for the administration of medications directly into the veins.
In case of intravenous injections, absorption is fast. Therefore, this route is most commonly employed for the delivery of medications.
Hypodermic needles are usually attached to a plastic syringe
Hypodermic Needles
General Uses
When it comes to the uses of hypodermic needles, the following benefits can be taken from the product within healthcare facilities:
Administration of Medications
The primary use of hypodermic needles is the administration of liquid medications into the body. This includes the delivery of vaccines, anesthetic agents, as well as other medications that cannot be taken orally and must be administered via another route.
For the administration of vaccines, 22 to 25-gauge needles remain suitable for intramuscular use in adults, while 25 to 30-gauge needles are best for subcutaneous use.
Blood Sampling
Another extensive use of hypodermic needles is that these, when paired with a syringe, are employed for drawing blood samples from the body that are needed for conducting diagnostic tests. In addition, samples of other fluids can also be collected. For this purpose, butterfly needles with flexible wings should be preferred.
Delivery of Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is needed to induce a localized state of numbness in patients before a medical procedure is conducted. To do so, hypodermic needles are employed to deliver the anesthetic agents into the target tissues.
Administration of Veterinary Medicines
In addition to the delivery of medications to humans, hypodermic needles can also be used to administer drug substances to animals. In addition, blood or fluid samples can also be drawn.
Diagnostic Testing
Hypodermic needles can also be employed for collecting cellular samples. As these have a smaller bore, drawing a few cells from the body, followed by their examination in the laboratory, helps confirm the presence of certain disease states.
Uses Based on Gauge Size
Hypodermic needles are also classified based on their gauge sizes. In this regard, the following table summarizes their gauge sizes along with the uses of each product:
| Gauge Size | Uses |
| 18 | Administration of viscous medications, drawing blood, blood transfusion, rapid fluid administration |
| 20 | Blood sampling, rapidly administering large volumes of fluids, and injecting thick medications |
| 22 | General-purpose injections, blood sampling, and intramuscular administration of medications |
| 23-25 | Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, pediatric injections, and vaccinations |
| 26-30 | Insulin administration, intradermal injections, subcutaneous injections where minimal tissue damage is required |
Uses Based on the Length of the Needle
In addition to the gauge size, the length of the hypodermic needle also defines some of the uses of the product. The following table summarizes these length options as well as uses:
| Length Sizes | Uses |
| 3/8 inch | Intradermal injections for the conduction of allergy tests, tuberculosis screening, etc. |
| ½ inch | Subcutaneous injections such as insulin or heparin |
| 5/8 inch | Subcutaneous injections that require deeper penetration |
| 1 inch | Intramuscular injections in the deltoid muscle (upper arm) for administering vaccines, medications, etc. |
| 11/2 inch or above | Intramuscular injections for people with large muscle groups, i.e., buttocks, thighs, etc., in adults, patients with more body mass |
Safety Tips
While using hypodermic needles, one should always stay careful so that accidental injuries can be avoided. In this regard, some of the following safety tips should be kept in mind based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Always check the packaging of the hypodermic needles before use. In case of damage, discard the product and do not employ it as there is a higher risk of contamination.
- Never recap or bend the needle as this significantly elevates the risk of needlestick injuries.
- Prefer hypodermic needles that come with a built-in safety mechanism so that the risk of skin puncturing can be prevented.
- Always discard the used hypodermic needles in the dedicated, puncture-resistant sharps container. This will help prevent the spread of serious health conditions such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), AIDS (HIV), etc.
- In case of a needlestick injury, seek medical help immediately. If it is not readily available, wash the affected area with water and soap or apply a skin disinfectant such as hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol.
Hypodermic needles are thin and hollow
Hypodermic Needles at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Hypodermic needles are the medical instruments used for delivering liquid medications into the bloodstream, muscles, or under the skin. These come in different sizes and lengths and are single-use items.
When it comes to learning about hypodermic needles, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:
Medline Standard Hypodermic Needles 30G x 0.5 Inch Regular Bevel (SYR100302)
US$66.88
Product Details
Medline standard hypodermic needles are the devices that are frequently employed within healthcare facilities. Their precise design and high quality render them accurate in their action, in addition to being safe for the delivery of liquid medications.
These Medline standard hypodermic needles come with a gauge size of 30G and have a length of 0.5 inches. The bevel is regular, which allows smooth and accurate skin penetration. Each box of these Medline standard hypodermic needles contains 100 items. The packaging is up—to-the-mark and allows convenient product storage.
EasyTouch® 25G x 1.5″ Hypodermic Needle – Sterile, Single-Use, 100/BX 6BX/CS
EasyTouch® 25G x 1.5″ Hypodermic Needle – Sterile, Single-Use, 100/BX 6BX/CS
US$41.88
Product Details
EasyTouch® 25G x 1.5″ hypodermic needles are the products that are suitable for intramuscular injections in the deeper tissues. The product is sterile and is compatible with Luer lock and slip tip syringes. In addition, the product is free from latex, which makes it suitable for people with latex allergy.
Moreover, these EasyTouch® 25G x 1.5″ hypodermic needles have a 2.5-gauge x 1.5-inch needle that easily reaches the deeper muscles to administer lower-pain injections. The tri-bevel precision tip is sharp and provides a clean entry.
Furthermore, these EasyTouch® 25G x 1.5″ hypodermic needles come in 6 cases, each of which contains 100 items. Each item is individually wrapped to avoid contamination. The product is ideal for use within hospitals, outpatient clinics, and pharmacies, as it is suitable for the administration of vaccines and hormonal therapy.
BD PrecisionGlide Hypodermic Needle 305167
BD PrecisionGlide Hypodermic Needle 305167
US$69.88
Product Details
BD PrecisionGlide hypodermic needles are thin-walled products that come without safety. The size of the product is 21 gauge, and the length is 11/2 inches. These BD PrecisionGlide hypodermic needles are employed for general-purpose injections as well as aspirations. Each box of the product contains 100 hypodermic needles.
Sol-Millennium 113010B Sol-M Hypodermic Needle 30 Gauge 1 Inch (Bulk, Non-sterile) (10000/CS)
Sol-Millennium 113010B Sol-M Hypodermic Needle 30 Gauge 1 Inch (Bulk, Non-sterile) (10000/CS)
US$445.61
Product Details
Sol-Millennium 113010B Sol-M hypodermic needles are one of the finest products in this domain. The product line of Sol-Millennium hypodermic syringes includes a variety of needles with different lengths as well as gauge sizes. The product is tri-bevel and lubricated to ensure smooth skin penetration.
Moreover, these Sol-Millennium 113010B Sol-M hypodermic needles are constructed using medical-grade stainless steel that is sterile and does not pose the risk of infection to the patients. Additionally, a translucent hub is also present for flashback confirmation.
Furthermore, these Sol-Millennium 113010B Sol-M hypodermic needles have the color-coded needle hubs that allow easy identification of the product. This feature is based on the ISO-6009 in compliance with the criteria given by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Each pack of these Sol-Millennium 113010B Sol-M hypodermic needles contains 1000 items that are compatible with all the standard Luer Lock and Luer Slip connectors.
*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Hypodermic needles are widely employed in healthcare facilities
The hypodermic needles mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of hypodermic needles.
Conclusion
When it comes to treating diseases, the oral route is the most preferred way of administering medications. However, some medications cause severe side effects in the digestive cavity or are poorly absorbed upon oral administration. Here, the use of hypodermic needles is recommended.
Hypodermic needles are thin and hollow medical devices that can deliver medication under the skin, into the veins, into the muscular tissue, etc. This way, many alternative options become available for the healthcare providers to use for giving medication therapy to their patients. Although there is a risk of needlestick injuries while using hypodermic needles, these can be avoided by following the safety tips suggested by the CDC.
Considering their importance, hypodermic needles should be kept in healthcare facilities for use whenever necessary. For purchasing different types of hypodermic needles, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
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