Use a Broken Swab to Make Your Point

Article

Break a disposable wooden cotton swab to create an instrument to test for sharp sensation.

 

Break a disposable wooden cotton swab to create an instrument to test for sharp sensation. (Try it on your own skin first to make sure it is sharp enough.) The wooden point seldom breaks the skin as a pin can, and because the swab is disposable, there is no chance of inadvertent spread of blood-borne pathogens.

- William Demshok, PA-C, MS
    Miami

More Practical Pointers >>

Recent Videos
"Vaccination is More of a Marathon than a Sprint"
Vaccines are for Kids, Booster Fatigue, and Other Obstacles to Adult Immunization
Related Content
Long-Term Data Support Roflumilast Cream for Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis: Daily Dose / image credit: ©New Africa/AdobeStock

Long-Term Data Support Roflumilast Cream for Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis: Daily Dose

Sydney Jennings
July 3rd 2025
Article

Your daily dose of the clinical news you may have missed.

The Weekly Dose: Cannabis, Contraceptives, and Advances in Alzheimer Disease and Gonorrhea Treatment

The Weekly Dose: Cannabis, Contraceptives, and Advances in Alzheimer Disease and Gonorrhea Treatment

Sydney Jennings
June 11th 2025
Podcast

Clinical insights on cannabis and dementia, hormonal contraceptives and postpartum depression, the FDA-approved blood test for Alzheimer disease, more.

Circulating Inflammatory Cells Persist in Severe Asthma Despite Biologic Therapy, Study Shows / image courtesy of Karolinska Institutet

Circulating Inflammatory Cells Persist in Severe Asthma Despite Biologic Therapy, Study Shows

Grace Halsey
July 2nd 2025
Article

Research from the Karolinska Institute reveals that therapies such as dupilumab and mepolizumab may not eliminate Th2 lymphocytes, raising concerns about long-term remission.

The Weekly Dose: Advancements in Colonoscopy, AI for Mammography, and Telemedicine Antibiotic Stewardship

The Weekly Dose: Advancements in Colonoscopy, AI for Mammography, and Telemedicine Antibiotic Stewardship

Sydney Jennings
June 4th 2025
Podcast

Discover the latest breakthroughs in clinical research, from at-home cancer screening to AI advancements in mammography, shaping future healthcare practices.

Phase 2b study of Psychedelic Compound BPL-003 Shows Rapid, Persistent, and Significant Improvement in Treatment Resistant Depression / image credit ©fyb/stock.adobe.com

Phase 2b Study of Psychedelic BPL-003 Shows Rapid, Persistent, and Significant Improvement in Treatment Resistant Depression

Grace Halsey
July 2nd 2025
Article

A single dose of BPL-003 was associated with improved MADRS scores as early as day 2 that were durable through week 8; phase 3 planning is anticipated.

Majority of Americans (8 in 10) Support Routine Childhood Vaccine Requirements, According to New Harvard Poll / image credit ©Sula Nualpradid/stock.adobe.com

Majority of Americans (8 in 10) Support Routine Childhood Vaccine Requirements, According to New Harvard Poll

Grace Halsey
July 1st 2025
Article

As authorities record data on the largest US measles outbreak in decades, 79% of Americans support school vaccine mandates for children, an encouraging result.

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.