What is the primary purpose of intradermal injections?

The primary purpose of intradermal injections is to administer medication into the dermal skin layer. This method is particularly useful for administering small volumes of medication, vaccines, or allergens for allergy testing. The intradermal route allows for slower absorption compared to other injection routes, which can enhance the effectiveness of certain treatments or diagnostics, such as tuberculin skin tests.

Intradermal injections require a precise technique to ensure that the medication is correctly placed within the dermis, which is just beneath the epidermis. This layer has a rich supply of blood vessels and lymphatics, making it suitable for localized reaction assessments, such as measuring an immune response.

Using this method is distinct from other injection techniques. For example, other options may involve larger volumes or entirely different injection sites that do not target the dermal layer specifically. Understanding this function is crucial for laboratory animal technicians, who must be adept at various injection techniques and their specific applications based on the treatment goals.