A traveller who hopped into his hotel bed only to feel a sudden ‘prick’ sensation was left panicked after realising what it was.
When he looked down to investigate he spotted a bizarre object embedded in the mattress. He later found out it was a disposable insulin pen needle cap.
Turning to Reddit for answers, the man posted a photo of the cap with a short explanation.
‘What is this? The metal end was sticking through the bedsheet of a hotel I’m staying in and scratched the cr*p out of me,’ the traveller wrote.
Many were quick to identify what it was and encouraged him to get tested as soon as possible. The needle was dented after he lay on it but it’s unclear if it had been used or not.
‘I’m fine. My in-laws and sister are doctors so I’ve been in touch with them about this as well,’ the man said later.
The worrying post ‘unlocked a new fear’ among hundreds who previously only had bed bugs at the top of their hotel bed worries.
Many encouraged him to go to hospital and consult a doctor, which he did.
‘Go to the ER or call a 24/7 primary care provider. PeP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) medicines that prevent HIV and other viral infections need to be taken within very short window,’ one warned.
‘You’ll very much need to run by the nearest hospital asap. Head for the emergency room. Take that object with you but pack it safely. You’re probably just fine, but there is a small chance you injected something awful into your body, so please do that,’ another wrote.
Others shared their own horror stories about needles in unsafe places.
‘Well, since we’re unlocking new fears. My mother worked a cinema into which a man was hiding syringe needles inside the seat cushions. You would sit on the seat with the needle completely invisible inside the fabric. Once you sat the seat compressed enough to prick you,’ one wrote.
‘I’m afraid of needles and this whole thread is full of reasons never to sit, stand or sleep anywhere ever,’ someone else added.
‘I’m not afraid of needles per se. I’m afraid of contaminated needles more specifically,’ another wrote.
The disposable cap is used to carefully insert onto a needle for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
If a used needle pierces your skin it’s vital to seek medical assistance immediately as it can cause HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, HPV, genital warts and other dangerous infections.
The area should be immediately washed with soap and water then evaluated by a doctor.
