How to get a splinter stuck in the skin or under a nail? It depends on what the splinter is, what size it is, how deep it is and what resources we have at hand. It is important to remove the splinter as soon as possible. A serious infection can emerge from the small wound formed by the splinter. What is a splinter, what are safe methods of removing it and when is it necessary to see a doctor?
Removing the splinter can be either simple or complicated. When the splinter is small but sticks to the skin with great force and pain, its removal requires some preparation, precision and patience. Before the problem: how to extract a splinter - sooner or later each of us stops.So here are some proven methods to safely extract the splinter.
How to get a splinter: types of splinter
Drzazga- this word simply refers to a foreign body stuck in the skin. The splinters are most often:
- larger or smaller pieces of wood,
- filings of various metals,
- pieces of glass or earthenware,
- plant spikes,
- stone chips.
The splinters get under the surface of the skin, usually on the hands and feet, i.e. those parts of the body that we use to grasp various objects or that come into contact with various surfaces.
The splinters come in various sizes, they dig deep or shallowly under the skin - sometimes so deep that they are almost invisible. Usually, the splinters get under the skin as a result of making some sudden movement, e.g. while cleaning or grabbing an object.
How to extract a splinter: when the splinter remains
The splinter is a foreign body. We do not count on the fact that it will be absorbed by itself or it will be neutralized by the body. If it is left in the skin, it can cause inflammation, and this process consists of several stages:
- redness
- baking, pinching
- pain
- swelling
- abscesses around the injection site
- nodule
Pathogenic microorganisms that live permanently in soil, water or animal excrements can also enter the body along with the splinter. It may therefore be necessary to give the tetanus vaccine after the splinter has been removed.
How to get a splinter: mainrules
It is for the above reasons that it is important to remove the splinter as soon as possible. There are several methods of removing the splinter, and their use depends on many factors, including from what kind of a splinter it is and how deep it is stuck.
However, with each splinter removal treatment, 4 rules must be followed:
- We do not squeeze!A foreign body in the form of a splinter does not squeeze, because it can delaminate, dislocate, completely hide under the skin, or penetrate it even deeper.
- We decontaminate!The person who carries it out should wear gloves, or at least wash their hands thoroughly and decontaminate them with an antiseptic, e.g. hydrogen peroxide.
- We anesthetize!In people who are particularly sensitive to pain (including children) - the place of removal of the splinter can be anesthetized with a suitable cream or at least a few ice cubes should be applied to it.
- We dress it!After removing the splinter, the injured place must also be disinfected, and if the blood is blood - also bandaged, e.g. by applying a bandage to it.
How to get a splinter: tweezers
Type of splinter : each, when it is visible and protrudes from the skin.
How to do it?Take the tweezers, disinfect them, grab the end of the splinter and pull it out in the opposite direction to the one in which it stuck into the body. It is better to do this more slowly so that the splin does not break into pieces and you can control how it exits the body.
How to get a splinter: needle
Kind of splinter : each, visible under the epidermis, but not protruding from the skin.
How to do it? an antiseptic. With the point of the needle, gently and slowly expose the epidermis around the splinter, and when the splinter is visible, grab it with tweezers and remove it.How to get a splinter: pumice stone
Kind of splinter : each, hidden deeper under the skin.
How to do it?If the splinter is deeply stuck under the skin, but you can see its position, we can try to move it. We do it by gently rubbing our fingers or, after moistening the skin with water - a pumice stone, along the splinter, directing it towards the wound mouth.
How to extract a splinter: ointments and compresses
Type of splinter:each, hidden deeper under the skin.
How to do it?When the splinter stays deep under the skin and does not want to move, we can make it easier to remove it by softening the skin around it with the help of:
- ichthyol ointment- smear the splinter site and bandage it for a few hours,
- baking soda paste- apply it to the skin and bandage it for a few hours,
- Epsom s alt solution(magnesium sulphate) - dip a finger in it, or another part of the body with a splinter, or make a poultice with the splinter and wrap it with a bandage,
- bread or bran gruel- boil the bread or bran with a little water, and apply the resulting pulp, while still warm, to the layers of gauze, and then wrap it around the place, where the splinter stuck; this treatment must be repeated several times a day,
- honey or cosmetic clay- put a small amount on a plaster or gauze pad and put it on for a few hours.
When using ointments and compresses, it happens that the splinter will come out of the wound by itself and it will not be necessary to help it with tweezers.
How to extract a splinter: magnet
Type of splinter : metal filings, pieces of iron, wire, etc. visible and protruding from the skin.
How to do it?Examples for a splinter magnet and gently, slowly remove the splinter from the wound.
How to get a splinter: when to see a doctor?
If it is not possible to remove the splinter at home, seek medical help: a doctor or a nurse. However, there are situations when it should be done without even trying to pull the splinters out, i.e. when:
- the splinter is deeply under the nail,
- the splinter is large and its removal involves cutting through the skin,
- the splinter (other foreign body) sticks into the eye - picking the splinter yourself and trying to remove it may result in blindness.
If the foreign body is very deep, in the area of blood vessels or in the bends of the fingers, or when signs of inflammation or purulent discharge appear at the wound, then the surgeon's intervention is necessary to remove the splinter.
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