What Are Sharps?

Sharps are medical devices with sharp points or edges that puncture or cut skin. Sharps aren’t just used in medical settings. People use them to manage their medical conditions at home, work, and when traveling.

Needle

A fine, slender, hollow piece of metal used to inject medication under the skin

Syringe

A medical device featuring a needle to inject medication into or withdraw fluid from the body

Lancet

Also called a “fingerstick,” a lancet has a short, two-edged blade used to obtain drops of blood for testing; lancets are commonly used by people with diabetes

Auto Injector

Pre-filled syringes, including epinephrine pens, designed to be self-injected.

Infusion Set

A tubing system with needle used to deliver drugs to the body.

Connection Needle/
Set

A needle that connects to a tube used to transfer fluids in and out of the body; generally used for patients on home hemodialysis

Examples of conditions that require people to use sharps outside of a medical setting:

  • Allergies
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Hepatitis
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Infertility
  • Migraines
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Psoriasis