A blood lancet assembly includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end to be held by the user. A lancet extends outwardly from the distal end of the handle and terminates in a forward end adapted to penetrate human flesh. A shield having an open end, a closed end and a receptacle therein is removably engaged to the handle so that the forward end of the lancet is positioned within the receptacle. The receptacle is larger than the forward end of the lancet so that the lancet does not contact the shield.
