3 Plus Ways to Remove a Splinter from a Child

Children have a natural tendency to explore with all of their senses, and that includes touching and feeling everything in sight. Combine that with a lot of barefoot excursions and they’re bound to get a splinter at some point in their childhood. If you’re wondering how to remove a splinter from your child’s hand or foot, here are some safe tips from Hospitality Health ER.

Do I Need to Remove a Splinter if It’s Not Bothering My Child?

Because the splinter itself is most likely unsterile and can cause an infection, you should remove it. Even very small splinters can cause problems like inflammation or a small infection. If you’re scared about hurting your child while trying to remove a splinter, take them to a doctor who will be able to remove it safely.

How Do I Remove a Splinter?

Most wood splinters and small objects like a tiny piece of glass can be removed at home. Here’s how:

#1 Wash your hands before touching anything.

#2 Sterilize tweezers and a needle in some alcohol. If you don’t have alcohol at hand, you can sterilize them with fire from a match or stove top. Let them cool before you use them.

#3 Wash your hands again before treating your child.

#4 Clean the affected area of skin with warm, soapy water. For wood splinters, do not soak the area for too long — this can cause the wood splinter to swell.

#5 If possible, have another adult hold your child so that they can minimize movement while you take out the splinter. If that’s not possible, hold your child on your lap to comfort them and ease their fears.

#6 If part of the splinter is sticking out of the skin, it should be fairly easy to remove. Using the tweezers, grasp the visible part of the splinter gently and pull it straight out. Don’t move it around or pick at it because this may cause a piece to break off, leaving another piece inside the skin.

If the splinter is totally embedded in the skin, use a needle to help remove it. Disinfect a needle with alcohol, and use it to gently create a small slit in the skin right above the splinter. Carefully remove the splinter with the tweezers, pulling it out at the same angle it went into your skin. 

#7 After you remove the splinter, wash the whole area again thoroughly with soap and warm water. Apply antibiotic ointment and an adhesive bandage to prevent infection. Watch for any signs of infection like redness, swelling, pain, or pus coming from the splinter site over the next few days.

What if I Can’t Get the Splinter?

Often it may be difficult to grab hold of the splinter. Here are a couple of home remedies you can try to bring the splinter closer to the surface of your skin:

#1. Vinegar: Try soaking the affected area in vinegar for at least ten to fifteen minutes. You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Because vinegar is acidic, it can shrink the skin around the splinter and bring the splinter closer to the surface. 

#2 Baking soda: You can also make a baking soda paste by mixing a little baking soda and water together. Apply the mixture to the affected area. Cover the area with a bandage for about 24 hours. Once the baking soda solution has pulled the splinter to the surface, you can pull it out with tweezers. 

How to Remove a Splinter with Tape or Glue:

If your child is scared of a needle or the tweezers, you can try using tape or glue. However, these methods will only work if part of the splinter is sticking out.

#1. Apply the tape to the area with the splinter. 

#2. Press the tape firmly and manipulate the skin around the splinter to get the splinter to stick to the tape.

#3. Once you see that the splinter is stuck to the tape, gently pull the tape from the skin. The splinter should come up as you remove the tape.

#4. Repeat these steps as needed.

Glue can also be used to help remove the splinter in much the same way:  

#1. Apply Elmer’s glue to the splinter area.

#2, Allow the glue to dry and stick to the splinter.

#3. Peel off the glue and the splinter should come out as you lift the glue away from the skin.

What Happens if I Do Not Remove the Splinter?

Because wood is a natural material, it is prone to bacteria and fungi, which can cause an infection. When foreign objects like splinters enter the body, your immune system reacts defensively by inflaming the skin around it. Common infections caused by splinters include: 

#1 Staphylococcus which is marked by fever, chills and streaks on the skin.

#2 Tetanus which causes symptoms including jaw tightness, stiff muscles, and fever. 

When You Should Go to the ER for a Splinter

It may sound crazy to have to go to the ER for a splinter, but it does happen in certain circumstances. You definitely should seek immediate care if you notice any signs of infection, like yellow or white discharge from the affected area, or red, hardened skin. You also may need a doctor’s help if the splinter is lodged deep in the skin, has entered in a hard-to-reach area like under a nail, or is located in a delicate area like near an eye.

For more children’s first aid tips, read our blog about the BRAT diet for diarrhea and vomiting, or like us on Facebook as we share all our latest first aid tips.

7 Effective Tips On How To Get a Splinter Out

Everyone encounters splinters — whether they get stuck in or underneath your own skin or you’re helping a friend or family member remove one. If you’re at all unsure about how to handle splinters, we’re breaking down our best tips and what you should know on the topic.

What Is a Splinter?

Splinters most commonly come from a piece of wood, but can also occur from several other materials.

You may feel it when a tiny fragment pierces the outer layer of your skin, or you may only notice something embedded in your skin later on. Splinters are very common, especially in children, and in most cases, shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

Can You Leave a Splinter Alone?

Before we get into the specifics of splinter removal, here are a few things to consider to determine if the wound needs any intervention at all.

If you can tell that the splinter is very close to the skin’s surface and is not causing any pain, the fragment may be able to work itself out. This is due to the natural shedding process of the skin.

If a splinter is deeper under the skin but is still not causing any discomfort, you may be able to wait to see if the shedding brings the fragment closer to the surface. If the splinter does rise to the surface, try using tweezers to extract it. If the end of the splinter is sticking out from your skin, this can make it easier for you to remove.

In cases where the entire splinter is deeply embedded in the skin and is uncomfortable, it is best to see a healthcare provider for advice. You should avoid trying to dig out a splinter that isn’t poking out from the skin due to the risk of infection. A healthcare provider will be able to give you the best advice and can remove the splinter safely — especially if no part of the splinter is sitting above your skin.

When Should You Remove a Splinter?

There are certain scenarios when a splinter should not be left alone.

If the splinter is larger or deeper and accompanied by pain, there is a higher risk that it will become infected and should be acted on the same day.

When the splinter is made of organic material, like wood or a thorn, it is important to get it out as quickly as you can. This is because it may be more likely to get infected in a short period of time.

Common inorganic materials, like glass, metal, and plastic, do not pose the same risk.

Any combination of swelling, discoloration, or pus may mean that the wound is becoming infected. Whether or not you remove the splinter yourself, you should contact a medical professional to treat an infection.

Although rare, some splinters can cause tetanus, a potentially fatal infection when left untreated. Talk to a healthcare provider about your vaccination status or your child’s vaccination status, and get medical attention if you’re concerned about a splinter. Your doctor may recommend a tetanus booster in certain cases.

When Should I Get Help for a Splinter?

Once you have determined that the splinter needs to come out, you may wonder where to go.

Most of the time, you can remove a splinter yourself or enlist someone to help you remove a splinter at home. However, here are the circumstances in which you should seek the help of a medical professional:

• If the splinter is located in the vicinity of the eye or is underneath a fingernail
• If there is any discharge or discoloration of the skin, which can be signs of infection
• If the fragment is embedded in the skin vertically, it may be very hard to remove at home
• When you have a deep splinter
• When the splinter breaks into small pieces when you try to remove it

How Can You Remove a Splinter?

If you do decide to remove a splinter at home, here are some tips that can help:

1. Clean the Area

The first thing you want to do is wash your hands with soap and water and then wipe down the affected area, gently patting your skin dry. Not only will this help to prevent infection, but it can clear away any leftover debris, keeping it from getting in the way of the removal.

2. Boost Your Vision

Especially if the splinter is very small, you’ll want to grab a magnifying glass or use your prescription seeing glasses to clearly locate and assess it.

A lot of light will help you see how the splinter is embedded in the skin. Head to a well lit room or use a flashlight or your phone’s light to illuminate the affected area.

3. Soak the Area

It may help to soak the affected area in some warm water before you try to take the splinter out. Just a few minutes can make the skin softer and more pliable, making it easier for you to remove the splinter.

4. Use Tweezers

If the fragment is not completely beneath the surface and you can locate a part that is exposed, go for a clean pair of tweezers (dipping them in or wiping them down in a little bit of rubbing alcohol is sufficient). Once you grasp the splinter, gently try to pull it out along the same path that it went in.

5. Use a Needle

If the splinter is too deep beneath the skin, you can use a sterilized needle to gently break the surface of the skin to expose a piece of it. Be careful not to break the splinter into smaller parts and go back to the tweezers once you can grasp it.

6. Use Tape

If the splinter is not buried deep, a piece of duct tape or packing tape may be all you need. Place it firmly over the wound and then lift up gently. If the adhesive on the tape catches the exposed fragment, it can lift it out.

7. Use a Soaking Solution

A cup of epsom salts dissolved in warm water may help to draw the splinter out. The pressure from the solution may push foreign objects to the surface, making them easier to grab with tweezers. Submerge the affected area in 10-minute increments, inspecting after each.

Here are a few other important things to remember when it comes to removing a splinter:

• Never pinch the skin around the wound when trying to remove a splinter. Excess pressure can cause the splinter to break into smaller fragments, making it harder to remove.
• If you’ve successfully removed the splinter, disinfect the wound with antibiotic ointment or hydrogen peroxide, and cover it with a bandage.

If you’ve tried these methods and still can’t get the splinter out, don’t panic. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider, who will help you remove the splinter.

Fast Pace Health

Splinters are incredibly common and, most of the time, are not a cause for concern. If you’ve determined that a splinter is not too deep or infected, the tips covered in this article can be really helpful — in removing one on yourself or on a family member.

If you can’t remove a splinter or are at all concerned about one on yourself or a loved one, Fast Pace Health is here to help. You can easily make an in-person appointment online or by phone by visiting our site. We’ve also added telehealth services to our clinics for extra convenience.

We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to rural and underserved communities across five states — Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Indiana. Our providers center their approach around patients and are committed to helping you with all of your health needs and goals.

Sources:

First Aid: Splinters (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth

Tetanus Disease (Lockjaw) | CDC

How to remove a splinter | AAD

causes, consequences and responses

Content

• 1 Oyster fragment, what to do in such a situation?
  • 1.1 What is an oyster fragment?
  • 1.2 What causes oyster splinters?
  • 1.3 What are the consequences of contact with an oyster fragment?
  • 1.4 What to do if an oyster fragment gets into the skin?
  • 1.5 What are the methods for removing oyster shards from skin?
  • 1.6 What should I do if I get an oyster fragment in my eye?
  • 1.7 How to avoid getting an oyster fragment in the body?
  • 1. 8 Are there methods to prevent oyster fragments from entering the body?
  • 1.9 Can a broken oyster cause infection?
  • 1.10 What are the ways to protect the body from infection from an oyster splinter?
  • 1.11 What should I do if an oyster fragment is in my body?
  • 1.12 Related videos:

What to do if you come across an oyster fragment? Our advice will help to avoid possible consequences and maintain health.

An oyster splinter is a fairly common occurrence experienced by people who consume this delicacy in their diet. As a rule, an oyster fragment ends in boundless grief, which leads to serious health consequences.

Due to the absence of symptom-causing peeling and bleeding, some people do not notice the presence of a fragment in their food and continue to eat it. However, swallowing an oyster fragment can lead to extremely serious consequences. Some people may experience stomach pain, intestinal upset, and sometimes even end up with surgery, as the splinter can damage the wall of the stomach or intestines and cause heavy bleeding.

However, if you feel worse after eating an oyster, don’t panic. There are many ways to react to an oyster splinter that will help you avoid serious consequences and make the process extremely painful. Currently, there are several methods of extraction that can help you remove the oyster shell with food, and some even with the use of dental floss or tweezers.

If you suspect an oyster splinter, be sure to see a doctor. Minor symptoms can lead to serious consequences, so do not save on health, and visit a doctor as soon as possible.

What is an oyster fragment?

An oyster fragment is a small piece of an oyster shell that can end up in human food. Oysters are a popular delicacy and are used in many dishes. However, when they are eaten, fragments can sometimes be caught, which can cause unpleasant consequences.

If you find an oyster fragment in your food, you need to take steps to remove it. Never swallow splinters as they may harm your health. It is best to see a doctor who will help you get rid of the splinter and take the necessary measures to prevent unwanted consequences.

To prevent splinters from getting into your food, you need to monitor the quality of the product and pay attention to its appearance. You should also avoid eating oysters with open shells or flat places where there is a risk of bacteria.

What causes oyster splinters?

Various factors can cause splinters in oysters:

• Opening errors – Improper use of tools can cause oyster meat to tear or break, resulting in splinters.
• Diseases of oysters – the presence of diseases in oysters can affect the quality of their shell, which in turn can lead to its destruction and splinters.
• Unfavorable Living Conditions – Overflowing or contaminated water, low oxygen, or inappropriate temperature conditions can be factors that contribute to oyster decay and splinters.

Oyster splinters can be quite hazardous to human health and may cause injury to the mouth or stomach. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the quality of oysters and open them correctly.

What are the consequences of contact with an oyster fragment?

Skin laceration and cuts. Contact with an oyster splinter that has become entangled in food may cut or cut the skin. This can lead to bleeding, infection, and even burns if the needle tip gets dry on the skin.

Soft tissue inflammation. If an oyster fragment remains in soft tissue, such as a finger, it can cause inflammation. In this case, swelling and pain are prone.

Infections and other diseases. Excessive consumption of raw oysters can lead to splinter-borne infections such as botulism. There may also be a risk of an allergic reaction to the contents of the oyster.

Need for medical attention. If an oyster fragment has been pierced or if inflammation has developed, a doctor should be consulted. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the splinter.

How to act correctly when an oyster fragment gets into the skin?

The first thing to do when an oyster splinter hits the skin is to remove it from the wound. Do not leave splinters, as they can lead to infection.

After removing the fragment, it is necessary to treat the wound. It is recommended to use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol to kill bacteria. Then you can apply an antibacterial cream to the wound and bandage it.

If the wound bleeds heavily, does not stop, or has some foreign object in it, you should definitely consult a doctor. It will help stop bleeding and remove any oyster residue or other impurities from the wound.

It must be remembered that if an oyster splinter wound becomes infected, serious health problems can arise. Therefore, do not postpone a visit to a medical specialist if the symptoms worsen or do not stop within a few days.

What methods are there for removing oyster shards from skin?

An oyster splinter can be very painful and should be removed as soon as possible. There are several ways to remove a splinter:

1. Using a needle or needle: The main way to remove a splinter is to use a needle or needle. First you need to disinfect the skin area around the fragment, then carefully examine it, and if the fragment does not protrude above the surface of the skin, it must be squeezed out a little using a needle. After that, the fragment can be removed with tweezers.
2. Using a magnet: A magnet can be used to remove an oyster splinter. To do this, you need to attach a magnet to the skin in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe fragment and wait a while for the magnet to attract it. The fragment can then be removed with tweezers.
3. Use of glue: To remove the oyster splinter, you can use glue, such as PVA glue. You need to wait for the glue to dry, then remove it with tweezers. The oyster fragment should stick to the glue and stay on it.

Do not try to remove the shard yourself if it cannot be obtained. In this case, you must consult a doctor.

What should I do if I get an oyster fragment in my eye?

If an oyster splinter gets into the eye, it can cause serious vision problems, so you need to take immediate action.

Urgently contact an ophthalmologist who will examine the eye and remove the oyster fragment. This should be done as carefully as possible so as not to damage the eye tissue when removing the fragment.

If you cannot see a doctor immediately, you can rinse the eye socket with cold water to reduce pain. Do not apply any drops, ointments or other medicines to the eye without a doctor’s prescription, as this can aggravate the situation.

To avoid getting oyster fragments in your eyes, you should refrain from eating unprocessed oysters. Thoroughly clean oysters before eating, and if possible, prefer already peeled options.

How to avoid getting an oyster fragment into the body?

Oyster fragments can cause serious harm to health, so it is very important to avoid ingesting them. Here are a few ways:

• Inspect the oyster carefully before eating. If you notice any defect on it, it is better to stop using it.
• Choose only freshly cooked oysters.
• Use oysters only in trusted restaurants and cafes.
• Do not eat oysters with broken shells.
• Use a special technique when eating oysters. For example, you can take it with a spoon and carefully remove an unpleasant fragment, if any.

Remember that eating oysters is a serious step that requires caution, careful checking and strict adherence to the rules. If you violate one of these rules, you can seriously damage your health.

Are there methods to prevent oyster fragments from entering the body?

You can take some preventive measures to protect yourself from ingesting oyster splinters. First of all, you need to buy oysters only from reliable suppliers and trusted stores. Oysters with damaged shells should also be avoided, as this may indicate a lack of freshness and possibly damage.

Some people, especially those with seafood allergies, should be especially careful when eating oysters. If an allergic reaction to oysters occurs, the symptoms can be very serious and even life-threatening.

It should also be remembered that no prevention methods can give an absolute guarantee against the ingestion of oyster fragments into the body. Therefore, it is important to monitor your health and seek medical help in a timely manner if necessary.

Can a broken oyster cause an infection?

Oyster fragments can enter the human body when eating seafood, which can lead to infections. Oyster shards usually contain organic matter that can cause food poisoning or infectious diseases.

Thus, the consumption of contaminated seafood, such as oysters with broken pieces, can lead to infectious diseases that are a potential threat to human health.

Usually, a sharp oyster splinter can lead not only to a source of infectious threat, but also to damage to internal organs and tissues of a person, which may require medical attention.

To prevent possible infections from eating seafood, it is recommended that you thoroughly clean and inspect oysters and other shellfish before eating them, and monitor the shelf life of the food. In the event of injury from a sharp oyster shard, medical attention should be sought immediately.

What are the ways to protect the body from infection from an oyster splinter?

First of all, you need to buy oysters only from trusted suppliers and proven outlets. Try not to buy oysters from random people in markets or street vendors.

Secondly, before eating oysters, you must wash them thoroughly, remove the lid and be sure to check for the presence of splinters. If any shard is found, discard the oyster immediately.

Thirdly, you should avoid eating oysters during high heat or a drop in temperature. Oysters are best eaten in the season when this shellfish is most useful and of high quality.

Fourth, if you have a case of infection from an oyster splinter, you should see a doctor as soon as possible and have an emergency procedure to remove the shard from your body.

Whether an oyster is an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients or a dangerous source of infection through a splinter, it can pose a health risk, so you should follow the prescribed recommendations and be careful when using this product.

What should I do if an oyster fragment is in my body?

If you swallow an oyster fragment by mistake, don’t panic. First of all, it is important to make sure that it really ended up in your stomach, otherwise the whole further procedure will be useless. If the fragment is visible to the naked eye, then you can try to remove it, but only if you are confident in your abilities and understand how to do it correctly.

If an oyster fragment is too small to see, it is always best to consult a specialist. Doctors often face such cases and know how to effectively solve the problem.

One of the most popular methods for extracting oyster shards is through endoscopy. This research will help you find the shard and remove it with the help of special tools. It is also possible to conduct an x-ray examination, which will help identify the location of the fragment and contribute to its successful removal.

It’s not worth risking your health if you find it difficult to remove an oyster fragment yourself. It is better to consult a qualified doctor and get competent help.

Related videos:

A splinter. What is Zanoza?

IMPORTANT
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

A splinter is a foreign body that has penetrated under the skin of a person. The presence of a piece of glass, metal, wood in the epidermis or dermis is accompanied by a tingling sensation when pressed. Within a few hours, local inflammation develops, which can turn into suppuration. To clarify the location of a glass or metal splinter, the state of the anatomical structures surrounding the fragment, it may be necessary to perform ultrasound of soft tissues, radiography, and MRI diagnostics. Superficial splinters are easily removed with a needle, tweezers. A deep-seated foreign body, glass fragments can only be removed from tissues by a dermatologist or surgeon.

ICD-10

T14.0 Superficial injury of body region unspecified

• Causes of splinters
• Pathogenesis
• Splinter symptoms
• Complications
• Diagnostics
• Splinter treatment
• Prognosis and prevention
• Prices for treatment

General

In dermatology, splinters are common among patients of all ages. More often than others, the fingers, palms are affected; in second place are the heels, the arch of the foot. Most foreign bodies do not penetrate deeper than the epidermis and do not create health problems. Attention is required for fragments that affect the dermis. These fragments can become a source of pyogenic infection, which actively spreads in the tissues, leading to the development of complications. In everyday life, most cases of subcutaneous introduction of splinters occur in the warm season, when the activity of people outside the home increases, the summer gardening season begins. In the manufacturing sector, there is no dependence on seasonality; non-compliance with safety precautions matters here.

splinter

Causes of splinters

A predisposing factor is the performance of work related to the processing of wood, metals, growing and harvesting plants. Careless conduct of individual operations, work without protective gloves, clothing and footwear easily leads to the penetration of foreign bodies under the skin. Depending on the conditions for obtaining damage, the following causes of the formation of splinters are distinguished:

• Household. This includes all cases of splinters in children and adults received at home. In children, this is a consequence of pranks, crawling on a wooden floor or surfaces contaminated with sharp fragments that easily penetrate the epidermis. Children of the first year of life can splinter their palms, feet, skin of the forearms, knees. In adults, a splinter is a frequent companion of repair work, a number of everyday activities.
• Production. Representatives of such professions as joiners, carpenters, grinders, glassblowers, millers, locksmiths have the greatest risk of getting splinters. They suffer not only hands, but also the face, since when working with machines, small foreign bodies can scatter in different directions at a considerable speed. In these professions, the use of goggles, gloves, masks, overalls is of paramount importance.
• Agricultural. Flower growers, vegetable growers, field team workers are in the most vulnerable position. This is due to the fact that organic fragments with soil particles, once under the skin, most often cause a violent local inflammatory reaction, creating an increased risk of developing tetanus. Constant contact with the ground increases the risk of infection of wounds left after the removal of splinters.

The most significant reason for the complicated course of a splinter is the frivolous attitude of many people to this problem. The danger at the time of the introduction of a splinter is a temporary decrease in immunity due to a cold, overwork, overheating or hypothermia; persistent weakening of the body’s defenses in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic circulatory disorders, chronic alcoholism and other severe pathologies. Along with the ubiquitous staphylo- and streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other highly pathogenic microorganisms can get into the wound. The lack of vaccination against tetanus can also play a negative role.

Pathogenesis

Tissue damage affecting the dermis causes edema due to increased capillary permeability and fluid leakage into the interstitial space. A foreign body provokes the development of reactive inflammation. The presence of bacteria in the wound leads to suppuration. If the immune system cannot limit the inflammation, then the bacteria begin to spread in the tissues with the formation of phlegmon. Long-term presence of a fragment in the tissues ends with the formation of an inflammatory granuloma. This is a small pineal lump under the skin that hurts when pressed and gradually increases in size. The development of a granuloma is based on the growth of connective tissue, which delimits foreign material and forms a capsule around it.

Splinter symptoms

An opaque foreign body is clearly visible under the skin, and its tip sometimes protrudes above the surface of the epidermis. Pain is not typical. A tingling sensation is felt when pressing on the affected area. An exception is a subungual splinter: a small foreign fragment provokes intense pain, which is aggravated by touching the nail phalanx. If the site of damage is not treated in a timely manner, an inflammatory process develops, which significantly changes the clinical picture. A site of purulent inflammation is formed. When opening an abscess with liquid contents, a foreign fragment usually comes out. If the inflammation spreads to the surrounding tissues, then pain may appear, pronounced swelling of the entire anatomical region. One of the manifestations of finger edema is stiffness of the interphalangeal joints.

Complications

A feature of the structure of the tissues of the fingers is the presence of numerous connective tissue jumpers. As a result, pus often cannot break out and goes deep into the tissues with the formation of panaritium. On the hands, feet and other parts of the body, diffuse inflammation leads to phlegmon. A granuloma on the arm causes constant discomfort when performing small movements, it can be periodically injured if it rises above the level of the skin. One of the most formidable complications of a splinter is tetanus, which develops when Clostridium tetany enters the wound in unvaccinated individuals. With the current level of development of medicine, mortality from tetanus, according to various sources, ranges from 17 to 25%. The greatest number of cases of tetanus development is observed in rural areas.

Diagnostics

Making a correct diagnosis is not difficult. Exceptions are cases when the foreign body is transparent or plunged deep into the tissues, there are signs of neurological disorders or surgical pathology. Doctors of other specialties can work in a team with a dermatologist: radiologist, neurologist, surgeon, traumatologist. For diagnostics are used:

• Visual inspection. Allows you to determine the material of a foreign body, the size and depth of its occurrence, the presence of signs of inflammation. Inspection data, as a rule, is enough to choose the most appropriate method for removing a splinter. Palpation of the injury site is performed in order to detect swelling, local pain and tingling, to determine the condition of the surrounding tissues.
• Instrumental research methods. Taking into account the clinical picture, ultrasound, X-ray, CT or MRI of soft tissues may be prescribed. This is necessary to visualize transparent foreign bodies and clarify their location, control the state of adjacent joints and other anatomical structures.

Splinter treatment

Removal of intradermal and subcutaneous foreign bodies is carried out both at home and in a medical institution. With minor injuries, patients go to the emergency room, where the treatment of the damaged area is performed, the necessary measures for the prevention of complications are applied. If there are signs of complications, the patient is referred to the surgeon. Treatment tactics include:

• Surveillance. Small fragments located in the upper layers of the skin can not be reached. They will be rejected along with the sloughing epithelium within a couple of days. Additional exposure to a non-sterile needle leads to the appearance of small infected wounds, the harm from which is greater than from a superficially located splinter.
• Removal with a needle or tweezers. A deep-seated splinter must be removed. If its tip sticks out, then it is enough to grab it with tweezers and pull it out. If the fragment has gone deep, then it is first necessary to break the epidermis over the splinter with a sterile needle, and remove the splinter itself with tweezers. Instead of a needle, cuticle tweezers can be used to cut off the layer of dead epithelium above the foreign body.
• Removal in a trauma center. It is not always possible to pull out a splinter without outside help. In this case, you can go to the emergency room. Take your vaccination card with you so that the health worker knows if you need an emergency tetanus shot.
• Treatment of complications. An active inflammatory process at the site of injury requires additional treatment. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy are prescribed. In the absence of the effect of conservative therapy, a surgical opening of the abscess is performed, during which conditions are created for the outflow of pus and rapid healing of tissues.

Prognosis and prevention

The prognosis is favorable, subject to competent removal of splinters and treatment of wounds, timely vaccination. Prevention consists in the use of protective equipment for the most vulnerable areas of the body (protective gloves for hands, suitable shoes, goggles or face masks). To prevent the development of complications allows timely seeking medical help, the implementation of doctor’s prescriptions, and the creation of rest for the injured limb. This is especially important for patients with immunodeficiency, severe pathology of the cardiovascular system, internal organs.

You can share your medical history, what helped you in the treatment of a splinter.

Sources

1. First aid: A guide for parents / Maksimovich S. V. – 2017.
2. Skin diseases: a complete medical guide for all seven / team of authors. – 2011.
3. Method for extracting a splinter: Application for a patent / Kazachkov A.