What is a missed hit?
You’ll know it by an immediate stinging sensation and a swelling around an injection site during or immediately after injection. It may be caused by fluid entering the tissue surrounding the vein because the needle has:
• not entered the vein properly
• entered the vein and slipped out again
• entered the vein and gone through the opposite wall
• entered the vein correctly but excess pressure caused the vein to
split.
A ‘missed hit’ will mean that the drug is absorbed much more
slowly by the body, so that the effect will be less pronounced. It can also
lead to other problems such as abscesses, cellulitis, and cutaneous foreign
body granulomas.
Reducing your chances of a missed hit
• Check that the needle is in a vein by gently pulling back on the
plunger to see that venous blood (a dark red colour) enters the syringe
• Always release the tourniquet before injecting
• Maintain a steady hand whilst injecting
• If you are in withdrawal from heroin, smoke a small amount before
injecting so your hands will be steadier
• Use the smallest possible needle and syringe barrel
• Inject at the correct angle (i.e. in line with the vein)
• Inject the fluid slowly.
First aid for missed hits
Remove the needle and apply pressure to the site, preferably a frozen wool swab, otherwise anything cold and sterile. You should get missed hits or any other problems checked out by a doctor, Accident & Emergency at your nearest hospital, or at your local Needle Syringe Program.
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