Sterilizing a Needle Here's Everything That You Need to Know
                     cheappinz
 Sterilizing a Needle? Here's 
Everything That You Need to Know
About
You may need to sterilize needles at home 
for various reasons, including the removal 
of superficial wood, metal, or glass 
splinters. If you want to sterilize a needle 
or medical syringe at home, keep in mind 
that disinfection and sterilization are not 
synonymous.
Disinfection lessens but does not eliminate 
the risk of infection. This is because 
disinfection reduces the number of 
bacteria on an object but does not totally 
eradicate it. Sterilization processes, when 
performed correctly, can totally eradicate 
all sorts of germs and other potentially 
hazardous pathogens from needles.
Is it possible to disinfect a needle with 
rubbing alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol may be sufficient for sterilizing a 
needle used to remove splinters near the skin's 
surface.
To disinfect a needle or sterile syringe for this 
application, follow these steps:
• Immerse the needle in rubbing alcohol or clean it 
with an alcohol-dipped sterilized gauze pad.
• Put on surgical or unused latex gloves and 
thoroughly wash your hands.
• If the splinter can be gripped with a tweezer rather 
than a needle, the American Academy of 
Dermatology recommends disinfecting the tweezer 
with rubbing alcohol.
• After extracting the splinter, carefully disinfect and 
protect the affected area.
Is it possible to disinfect a needle with salt 
water?
The water in the ocean, which is saltwater, is not sterile. Neither is tap 
water, even if you add salt to it. To use salt water to disinfect a needle 
for splinter removal, you must first use sterile water.
This is not, however, a foolproof system and should not be used with a 
medical syringe. Furthermore, you should only use this method if a 
more effective sterilization option is unavailable.
To sterilize a needle that will be used to remove a shallow splinter, 
follow these steps:
• In a sterile container with a cover, combine eight ounces of 
sterilized water and one-half teaspoon of non-iodized salt.
• Insert the needle.
• Wearing medical gloves, remove the needle from the water.
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