Medical Swabs

Medical swabs for specimen collection, wound care and skin prep, from Puritan, Medline and Dynarex. Choose by tip: cotton, rayon, polyester, foam, calcium alginate, or flocked swabs such as PurFlock Ultra and HydraFlock. To get samples to the lab, choose dry transport swabs or media transport systems. Also here: swabsticks such as povidone-iodine, OB/GYN and proctoscopic swabs, wound measurement tools and tongue depressors. Non-sterile applicators are under cotton swabs.

Medical Swabs

What are medical swabs used for?

Medical swabs are used for collecting samples, medical testing, cleaning wounds, applying medication, and conducting forensic examinations.

What are medical swabs made from?

Medical swabs typically consist of a small wad of cotton on the end of a short rod made from wood, rolled paper, or plastic. The tip material varies depending on the intended application.

Are there different types of medical swabs?

Yes, medical swabs are designed for different purposes, including throat, nasal, wound care, specimen collection, and more. Depending on their specific use, they may vary in size, shape, and material. Cotton, polyester, foam, calcium alginate, and flocked are common materials.

What is a sterile medical swab?

A sterile medical swab is one that has been processed to eliminate all potential bacteria, viruses, or other microbes to avoid infection or contamination.

What makes a swab sterile?

Most sterile swabs undergo either ethylene oxide gas sterilization or gamma irradiation sterilization before they are sent to customers.

Ethylene oxide sterilization: Used for delicate instruments and devices that can't tolerate heat or moisture. Treated with ethylene oxide gas disrupts the DNA of any microorganisms living on them and stops the organisms from reproducing.
Gamma rays: A form of electromagnetic radiation. Rays pass through plastics and kill bacteria by breaking the bonds of bacterial DNA. Gamma radiation is very penetrating and is commonly used to sterilize disposable medical equipment.

Can I use regular swabs instead of medical swabs?

Regular cotton swabs aren't typically sterile or medical-grade and may not be suitable for medical procedures or sample collection. Always use medical swabs when necessary to ensure safety and accuracy.

Where can I buy medical swabs?

Swabs purchased from supermarkets and pharmacies generally don't meet medical standards. At Harmony Lab & Safety Supplies, choose from hundreds of medical swabs to suit your intended application. Top brands like Puritan, Medline, Dynarex, and more are featured at Harmony.

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Medical Swabs

Calcium Alginate Medical Swabs

Cotton Medical Swabs

Dry Transport Swabs

Foam Medical Swabs

HydraFlock Sterile Flocked Swabs

Media Transport Systems

OB/GYN & Proctoscopic

Polyester Medical Swabs

PurFlock Sterile Ultra Flocked Swabs

Rayon Medical Swabs

Swabsticks

Tongue Depressors

Wound Measurement

Medical Swabs

What are medical swabs used for?

What are medical swabs made from?

Are there different types of medical swabs?

What is a sterile medical swab?

What makes a swab sterile?

Can I use regular swabs instead of medical swabs?

Where can I buy medical swabs?