How To Get A Splinter Out Of Your Foot The Right Way – Perform Podiatry

So you’ve got a splinter stuck in your foot and despite trying with tweezers or other home first aid tactics, you can’t get it out. So, what can you do? Here’s the lowdown on splinters and when to seek help from our podiatrists. 

Do Splinters Need To Be Removed?

Splinters can be caused by a range of things – a prickle from a plant, a shard of glass, a wood splinter and more. As they are a ‘foreign’ object that pierces and enters the skin, aside from being very painful, they can also contain bacteria that can cause an infection if the splinter isn’t removed. This is why splinters do need to be removed from the skin, regardless of how shallow or deep they are.

There are two ways to get the splinter out: try to do it yourself at home, or get help from your podiatrist. If you have diabetes, are prone to infections, have problems with sensation in your feet or have impairments when it comes to circulation or healing, we always recommend heading to your podiatrist if you can’t remove the splinter simply with tweezers. This is as part of the splinter may be left in the foot but you may not be able to detect it (and it can be very hard to see well when it comes to the bottoms of our feet!), or you may create a significant wound that may worsen when walking if your body is unable to effectively heal the area.

Getting The Splinter Out Yourself

Given that part of the splinter is protruding from the skin, it may be simple to get it out yourself. Follow these hygiene and safety principles:

• Wash your hands with an antibacterial wash before starting, and gently clean the area of your foot where the splinter is lodged
• Disinfect any instruments you’re using like tweezers or a needle. You can do this with rubbing alcohol, iodine or boiling water, and then letting them dry and cool
• Soak your foot in warm water for up to ten minutes if needed to help soften the skin
• Start by gently pinching the skin around the splinter to give it an opportunity to come out naturally from being squeezed
• If that fails, use the tweezers to pull the end of the splinter out. Make sure you are pulling at the same angle that the splinter has entered your foot, this will help prevent it from breaking
• If the splinter is located just below the skin, you may choose to create an opening where the splinter is lodged so you can grasp hold of it. If doing this, be very careful not to dig for the splinter, this may push it down further. 
• Once the splinter has been removed, clean and sanitise the area and protect it if needed

Getting Help With Your Splinter

While most splinters can be easily removed yourself, if you can’t get to it, it is better to have it removed than to leave it sitting in your foot. It can become very painful and may lead to an infection. As podiatrists, we often remove a range of foreign ‘bodies’ from the feet simply and easily. We then apply a sterile dressing to best help protect the foot and allow the area where the splinter was embedded to heal. 

We recommend coming to see our podiatry team here in Remuera if:

• You have trouble removing the splinter on your own
• The splinter is deep, you were only able to partially remove it before it broke off, or the area is becoming very painful
• You are getting signs of infection – redness, tenderness, swelling, clear/yellow discharge from the area
• You have a ‘high-risk’ foot from conditions like diabetes

Auckland’s Leading Podiatrists

Our registered podiatrists are experienced in managing a range of foot problems – from splinters and other foreign bodies embedded in the feet, to treating corns or warts that were ‘disguised’ as splinters – or vice versa.

We have a range of treatments available that are effective, safe and comfortable. We work extensively with children, often helping remove foreign bodies from the feet of kids who otherwise don’t want to be touched, are squeamish or are sensitive to pain.

Book your appointment with the Perform Podiatry team by calling 09 523 2333 or book online here.

How to remove a splinter

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Treatment of panaritium on the finger: opening panaritium

Purulent inflammation in the tissues of the fingers is called panaritium. With an injury to the fingers and toes, pathogens of a purulent infection that cause inflammation can enter the wound. Panaritium develops under the skin in the upper layers of the dermis.

Panaritium, which is not cured in time, can cause acute infections of the hand.
Panaritium usually appears in adults, but sometimes children also suffer. Most often, representatives of working professions, people engaged in heavy physical labor, patients with diabetes mellitus are susceptible to the disease.

Causes of panaritium

There are a lot of reasons for panaritium, the most common cause is microcracks and microtrauma of the fingers, as well as:

• Pricks, cuts, abrasions, splinters;
• Prolonged exposure of fingers and toes to damp and cold environments;
• Poor finger hygiene;
• Diseases of the endocrine system;
• Reduced immunity, metabolic disorders.

Cutaneous panaritium appears when a bubble with purulent accumulation appears on the inside of the fingers. Inside the bubble is a gray liquid, in some cases, blood may appear. The inflamed area is very sensitive and painful, some patients have a burning sensation around the bladder.

Subcutaneous felon develops under the skin of the fingers on the palm side. For men, it is more dangerous, as the skin on their palms is denser. Therefore, the pus inside cannot penetrate the surface of the skin, and goes into deep tissues. This type of disease can turn into a complication and affect bones, joints, tendons.

Nail panaritium is an inflammation of the tissues under the nail plate of the fingers or toes. A splinter accidentally caught under the nail can also cause the development of this disease. If antiseptic conditions are not observed during a manicure or pedicure, periungual panaritium may develop.

Treatment, panaritium

With a purulent inflammatory process, it is always better to consult a doctor in a medical institution. A specialist who will provide the necessary medical care for the development of panaritium is a surgeon. After examination under sterile conditions, the doctor will prescribe: conservative or surgical treatment.

Conservative treatment of felon can include: baths with antiseptic preparations, anti-inflammatory compresses, ointments or creams.

Conservative treatment of the disease is possible only at the initial stage of the onset of the disease. However, antibacterial drugs are not able to completely cure the disease. The positive effect of conservative treatment will be with the skin variety of panaritium.

Surgical treatment – opening panaration. The purpose of surgical treatment is to open the surface of the abscess and ensure a complete outflow of blood and purulent deposits. In the case of skin and subcutaneous varieties of the disease, a puncture is made in the center of the bladder or in the most painful place. In the case of nail panaritium, the surface of the nail may be partially or completely removed.

It is important not to open the abscess yourself, because you can transfer the infection to healthy tissues.
After opening, all purulent exudate is removed. An aseptic dressing is applied on top, it will prevent the penetration of bacteria that cause complications. The next day, the bandage must be replaced with a new one, to check whether the pus has been completely removed. If there is swelling, tissue tension, pain, you need to drain the wound again. A disease that is not cured in time will pass to tissues, tendons, and bones. Therefore, it is important that a good outflow of purulent fluid is ensured.

In our medical center “Medicine Plus” you can always get qualified medical care. If it is necessary to determine the causative agent of the infection, we can pass all the necessary tests.

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005 A splinter from a dream symbolizes an envious person. He will interfere with the implementation of your plans, spread offensive gossip about you, set others around you against you, or question past achievements. Having calculated it, you will have to act boldly and decisively.

Don’t let them poison your life. Invite the ill-wisher to a serious conversation to dot the “and”.

A thorn in the dream book of Dmitry and Nadezhda Zima

A thorn in a dream is a harbinger of a possible quarrel or trouble, the cause of which may be your own negligence.

Pulling out a splinter is a sign of an early resolution of some extremely unpleasant situation for you.

A splinter according to the latest dream book of G. Ivanov

Splinter – fall in love without reciprocity.

A splinter according to the Spring Dream Book

To pick out a splinter – to heal yourself or someone who is sick in the family.

A splinter according to the Summer Dream Book

To pull out a splinter in a dream is to finally find out the name of the one who spoiled your blood for so long.

A splinter according to the Autumn Dream Book

Pull a splinter out of your finger in a dream – to eliminate the enemy.

A splinter according to the dream book from A to Z

A dream in which a splinter appears speaks of the danger threatening from a person who does not like you, from whom you can expect any nasty things.

Pulling out a splinter in a dream means that in reality you will get rid of an unpleasant person once and for all.

A splinter according to Fedorovskaya’s dream book

Take out a splinter from yourself or someone else, and also, if someone took a splinter from you or someone else in your presence – to a gift.

A splinter according to the Modern Dream Book

To dream that splinters are piercing your body means that in real life your close and envious rivals will cause you a lot of trouble.

If you dream that while visiting you, you splintered your leg – soon expect the appearance of an extremely unpleasant guest for you, or, going on a visit, you may find yourself in a difficult situation. The course of your affairs will not satisfy you, as you will neglect your duties.

To plant a splinter – to unpleasant news at work, demotion.

If you take out a splinter from another person, it means that you will meet a new friend who will play an important role in your life.

To feel a splinter, but not to see it, promises you anxiety, the appearance of unexpected obstacles in your path. You need to tense up in order to respond to danger in time.

Plant a splinter through clothes – expect cruel meanness towards you. It also means that your life is in danger.

To take out a splinter – this dream means that your amorous affairs will go smoothly, you will get rid of your complexes.

Splinter according to the Eastern dream book

If you dreamed that splinters were piercing your body, you would suffer greatly from the envy of other people. Plant a splinter – to trouble at work, possibly a demotion.

If in a dream you take out a splinter from another person, it means that you will find a new friend who will play an important role in your life.

You feel a splinter, but you cannot see it – unexpected obstacles will appear on your way.

A dream in which you stabbed your leg while visiting friends or acquaintances means that a planned trip to visit or an expected visit of guests will cause you a lot of problems.

A splinter according to A. Mindella’s dream book

You dreamed of a splinter – you found a splinter in yourself – you will have trouble at work; you may have to leave the position (do not slam the door – this will not achieve anything, but it will hurt you a lot). You find many splinters in yourself – you will see in an unexpected situation that some of your loved ones are hypocrites – for their own good, they will let you down; meanwhile, you expected to rely on this person; an unpleasant discovery will upset you. You pull out a thorn – you will understand the interdependence of love relationships and complexes: as soon as you feel reciprocity, you will get rid of the complexes, and on the other hand, as soon as you cope with the complexes, you will feel more confident and you can count on reciprocity. It’s as if you are helping another person to pull out a splinter – a new acquaintance will become your friend; you will be surprised: how did you cope with your difficulties without him? ..

A splinter according to the Explanatory Dream Book

Seeing a dream Taking out a splinter is Joy.

A splinter according to the Home dream book

You dreamed of a splinter – irritation.

A splinter according to the Jewish dream book

What does a splinter mean in a dream – To splinter your right hand Seen on Monday night, this dream means meeting a person who will give you a lot of trouble and trouble. Dreamed on the night of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday – you will have to do a confusing and unpleasant business; To see this dream on the night of Saturday or Sunday – to receive unpleasant news. To splinter your left hand A dream that occurred on Monday night means that you will ruin your relationship with a loved one. Seen on the night of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, this dream means that you will feel tired and longing. Dreamed on the night of Saturday or Sunday – to a slight malaise. Remove a splinter – free yourself from doubts.

A thorn in Dasha’s dream book

a symbol of unfortunate trouble or obsessive love.

A splinter according to the Psychotherapeutic dream book

To take out a splinter is a joy.

A thorn in the dream book of catchphrases

A SPLINTER – increased painful sensitivity, an obsessive person, a problem.

A splinter according to the Explanatory Dictionary of Dreams

To take out a splinter is a joy.

A splinter according to the Idiomatic dream book

A splinter – increased painful sensitivity, an obsessive person, a problem.

Splinter according to the online dream book

See in a dream that splinters get into your body – because of someone’s envy, you will suffer a lot.

If you dream that you are taking it out, your romantic relationship will improve, and you will overcome all your complexes. You take out other people’s splinters

The dream book says that if a thorn hit your leg when you were visiting someone, expect an unexpected guest in the near future that you don’t like very much, as a result you will find yourself in some kind of unpleasant situation.

I dreamed about how a splinter stuck into your body through your clothes – soon expect some kind of vile directed against you. Be careful, your life may be in danger.

A splinter according to the Universal Dream Book

Is the splinter located on the surface of the skin or has it entered deep inside? The deeper the splinter sits, the more emotionally you perceive the circumstances that are developing in your life.

How a thorn got under your skin: carelessness or accident – this suggests that you should either take responsibility for what is happening in your life, or simply admit that everything happens and you have nothing to do with it.

In your sleep, are you trying to pull out a splinter or are you in pain? If you leave a splinter in the body, suppuration may occur – perhaps the dream reminds you that you should solve the problem as soon as it arises, and not wait until it develops into something significant.

A splinter – a sliver that has broken away from the whole – can symbolize a group of people who have disconnected from the whole team in order to declare their independence. Is the thorn in your finger pointing to that? Would you like to declare your independence and individuality?

A splinter according to the Russian dream book

A splinter is a symbol of unfortunate trouble or obsessive love.

A splinter according to the 21st century dream book

Seeing a splinter in a dream is a symbol of the fact that among your friends or acquaintances there is a person who is trying to harm you.