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Does A Simple Pin Prick Warrant Any Blood Investigation?

Posted on Wed, 16 Apr 2014

Question: I went to a bridal boutique and noticed a beautiful brooch bouquet in the window about 20-30 min later before walking out i grabbed it and stuck myself with a pin hanging out of the stem. At first i didnt bleed but i squeezed the area and a tiny spot of blood appeared. I then doused my hands with sanitizer and to the naked eye the pin prick area is barely seen. I am highly concerned that i could have contracted HCV since it can survive for up to 4 days and a little worried about hiv. Is this a cause for concern? Was the pin prick even deep enough to spread any diseases. Also, there were only 3 people in the store other than myself an elderly couple shopping and an ederly woman that owns the boutique. Please dont tell me to get tested i already know that i will need to do that but please tell me if it even reasonable to have such anxiety about this. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer: You need not worry about any infection. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to us. I do not think a simple pin prick warrants any blood investigation to rule out diseases transmitted through blood. A surgical needle with a bevelled edge may contain blood in its hollow and thats why it has higher chances of causing infection than any other needle or pin. But these viruses, do not survive for long outside, so getting any infection through a chance prick that too in a shop doesnt require blood investigation to rule out these chronic viral infections. Had I been your doctor, I would have never advised a test.Sometimes pin pricks may cause bacterial infection. Cleaning the area with betadine or savlon is just enough to prevent the same. Hope this helped. Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (17 minutes later)

Thank you for your detailed answer i am more at ease my thought from your answer: essentially nonexistant risk...is it safe to say that?

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer: there is possibly no risk Detailed Answer: Hi, Yes, I would still stress there is no risk. Just clean the area with savlon everyday till the prick heals. Take care

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar