What are the disadvantages of flocked swabs?

What are the disadvantages of flocked swabs?

Although flocked swabs have many advantages in sampling, they also have some disadvantages, mainly including the following aspects:

High cost: The production process of flocked swabs is relatively complicated, and nylon fibers need to be evenly implanted into the swab rod, which involves special equipment and technology, resulting in higher production costs than ordinary swabs. Therefore, when used on a large scale, the procurement cost will increase.

High storage conditions: Flocked swabs usually have certain requirements for storage conditions. Generally, they need to be stored in a dry, cool, and ventilated environment to avoid moisture, high temperature or direct sunlight, otherwise the performance of the swab may be affected, such as causing the villi to fall off and the adsorption capacity to decrease. In some field sampling environments with harsh conditions, it may be difficult to meet its ideal storage conditions.

Possible allergic reactions: Although most of the materials used in flocked swabs are non-toxic, a small number of people with allergies may have allergic reactions to certain components on the flocked swabs. For example, substances such as nylon fibers or their surface treatment agents may cause allergic symptoms such as local skin redness, itching, and rash.

Sampling operation has requirements: Although flocking swabs are relatively convenient to use, operators still need to undergo certain training to obtain the best sampling effect. If the operation is improper, such as too much or too little force during sampling, incorrect rotation angle, etc., it may affect the amount and quality of sample collection, and thus affect the accuracy of the test results. Especially when collecting samples from some special parts, such as samples in deep tissues or small cavities, the requirements for operating techniques are higher.

Susceptible to interference from external factors: During the sampling process, flocking swabs are easily interfered with by external factors. For example, in a windy environment, the fluff may absorb impurities in the air, thereby contaminating the sample; if there are chemicals or other pollution sources in the surrounding environment, it may also interfere with the samples collected by the flocking swab, affecting the reliability of the test results.