How to pull out a splinter with a needle. How to remove splinters? How to easily, quickly, and painlessly remove a splinter from your arm or leg? When a doctor's help is needed

A splinter is a sharp foreign body that is embedded under the skin or under the nail. A splinter can be any object - fragments of chips, wood, plant thorns, grass thorns, small metal parts - shavings, parts of metal objects. In medicine, splinters in the finger are most often associated with a disease such as acute inflammation of the tissues of the finger.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a splinter can be easily noticed almost immediately. However, not all splinters are painful. Most of them are so small that they penetrate painlessly skin, and a person notices them after the splinter has festered. After some time, redness appears in the place where the splinter has penetrated, touching is unpleasant, and a sharp stabbing pain is felt. The finger swells and swells. Sometimes, if the splinter is dark in color and located not deep from the surface of the skin, it can be seen with the naked eye.

If the splinter is not pulled out, then these symptoms will be supplemented by suppuration around the splinter, which is expressed in the appearance of purulent contents at the injection site. Most often, a lot of microbes penetrate along with the splinter, which cause a response from the body. Suppuration under the nail plate is especially dangerous, from where it is difficult to remove the splinter. In addition, under the nail plate the skin is thinner and more delicate, capillaries are located closer to it, so suppuration will pass faster.

How to remove a shallow splinter

It is worth immediately stating that few patients go to a medical facility with a splinter. Most people try to deal with a splinter on their own, so if it is shallow, then there is nothing to worry about - it is important to follow all the rules that relate to removing foreign bodies from the body and everything will be fine.

There are several ways you can get rid of a splinter. Some of them are far from medical care, since household materials are used, but, nevertheless, they will also help achieve the goal.

First, let's remember a few rules, which are relevant for all methods of removing a splinter:

the place of suppuration should be treated with an antiseptic;
any splinter should be removed only with a clean object treated in alcohol;
before removing a wooden splinter, it is better not to steam your hand in warm water, hoping that it will come out better - this will make the splinter softer and it will be more difficult to pull it out;
In no case should you try to squeeze out a splinter - this may drive it deeper or break it;
After removing the splinter, the affected area is also treated with an antiseptic.

Such close attention to the cleanliness of the procedure is not accidental, since a festering splinter can bring more problems than we think.

Ichthyol ointment. With the help of this ointment, which is not entirely pleasant in smell, you can remove the splinter the very next day. It is enough just to apply a small pea of ointment to the puncture site and cover it with an adhesive plaster. The next day after removing the adhesive plaster, you need to carefully examine its reverse side - if the splinter has come out, it will be noticeable on the adhesive plaster.
Baking soda. If you make a paste of regular baking soda and apply it to your finger for a while, it will cause the skin to swell and push out the splinter. This method is good for small splinters located close to the surface. If the splinter is deep, then you need to use other methods.
Adhesive tape. This method is also suitable for small splinters, the tip of which is visible on the surface. To carry out the procedure, the finger must be dry so that the adhesive tape can adhere well to the surface. It would be better if it was a very sticky adhesive plaster. First you need to examine your finger and find out in which direction the splinter stuck. Next, tape is glued to this place and removed in the opposite direction from how the splinter entered.
Tweezers. This method is also good for protruding splinters. Tweezers and the area with the splinter are treated with an antiseptic. Having easily picked up a splinter by the edge, you need to try to pull it out in the opposite direction from the line of entry into the skin. If the splinter cannot be pulled out, it is better not to use force. Also, do not squeeze the tweezers too hard so as not to break the splinter at the very base - then it will be much more difficult to pull it out.
Needle. If the splinter has completely entered under the skin, but is visible to the naked eye, then a needle can be an excellent method. Only you need to use not a sewing needle, but a needle from a syringe, of course, a new one. This needle has sharper edges and can be used to pull out a splinter almost painlessly. After sterilization, the needle is carefully inserted over the splinter in the direction of its advancement, the skin is slightly raised and the sharp edge of the needle seems to be cut. As a result of these manipulations, the splinter will be exposed, it can be picked up and easily pulled out.
Adhesive. This method can be used to remove a splinter sticking out on the surface. A drop of glue (for example, PVA) or nail polish is dripped onto the site where the splinter enters. After the adhesive mass has hardened, it will be very easy to separate it from the surface of the skin by lightly picking up the edges with your fingernail. In most cases, a splinter will come out along with the glue, but you need to see it to fully confirm that the splinter has come out. If in doubt, it is better to use another method.

How to remove a deep splinter from your finger

If a splinter is visible near the surface of the skin, then it is almost impossible to see a splinter deep in the skin. The fact that it exists can only be guessed by the painful sensations that accompany pressing on the finger.

To pull out a deep splinter, you need to assess the situation and then make a decision. If the splinter has already festered and the abscess that has formed near it is clearly visible, then it would be best to apply it to the affected area. Vishnevsky ointment.

Despite the fact that in Lately in medical circles, Vishnevsky’s ointment began to be viewed skeptically, however, with limited formed purulent cavities close to the surface of the skin, the ointment contributes to their aggravation and further breakthrough on the surface. That is why, after Vishnevsky’s ointment, the skin and its edges seem to turn outward.

If you apply the ointment at night and wait until the abscess breaks through and the pus comes out, then you can “drive out” the splinter along with it.

Another way to get a splinter is to steam your finger in a solution of soda and iodine. For one glass you need to add one tablespoon of soda and a few drops of iodine so that the water is slightly colored. Boiling water is poured into a glass and after hot water If you can stand it, put your finger in the glass for ten to fifteen minutes so that the skin softens and swells as much as possible from the water.

Usually, after such a procedure, splinters themselves rise to the surface and can be easily pulled out using the methods described above.

How to remove a splinter from under a nail

If a splinter has entered under the nail, then most often the person immediately feels a sharp pain, since there are many nerve endings under the nail and the embedded splinter will immediately make itself felt.

First of all, you need to wash your hands and nail plates well and check for dirt under your nails. Most often, when gardening, soil and other dirt accumulate under the nails. It needs to be removed. You also need to wash off the varnish to see how deep the splinter has gone and in what exact place.

Before you begin to pull out the splinter, the nail should be trimmed as much as possible in order to have better access to the splinter. If the splinter is visible, then you can try to pick it up with tweezers or a needle and stretch it to the edge of the nail, and then carefully pull it out by the tip. If the splinter is not visible and is located deep, then the finger must be steamed with a soda-iodine solution. Then you can repeat the procedure and try to remove the splinter.

If you cannot remove a splinter from under your nail, you can go to a medical facility, where doctors will professionally treat the surface of the nail and remove the splinter. May need to be removed nail plate and its parts. This manipulation is possible only in a medical institution and is performed under local anesthesia. Of course, for some time you will have to walk around with a bandage and not entirely aesthetic appearance, however, this is better than suppuration under the nail plate. In any case, an unremoved splinter under the nail will lead to a doctor.

What to do after removing a splinter

So, if the splinter is successfully removed, then you need to properly treat the surface. By the way, when removing a splinter, it is better to get the first drop of blood - this will wash the wound and wash possible dirt, germs, etc. onto the surface. Next, the splinter site needs to be disinfected. It is ideal if you have alcohol on hand, but if you don’t have it, you can wash the affected area with any means at hand - vodka, cologne, iodine or brilliant green. After the wound has been treated, levomekol cannot be applied to it. If the wound is small, then you can simply disinfect it - the skin at the puncture site will tighten very quickly and integrity will be restored.

After removing the splinter, you need to look at the wound from time to time and notice if there is any suppuration. Perhaps, at the site where the splinter penetrated, a small piece of it could remain, a fragment that would fester and create problems. In this case, the procedure will need to be done again to completely get rid of the splinter.

When not to remove splinters

Despite the fact that there are many tips for removing a splinter, it is not possible to remove it yourself in all cases. So, a splinter cannot be removed if:

the splinter is located close to the eye;
the splinter has entered so deeply that it is not visible and it is not possible to pull it out on your own;
the splinter was divided into two parts, breaking off deep inside;
glass or metal has embedded itself into the skin as a splinter;
the site of the splinter quickly turned red, swollen, and began to bleed.

If a child gets a splinter

There is no need to panic - the splinter can be easily pulled out if the baby is not scared and gives the opportunity to work with the finger. Those around you need to calm the child down and carry out all the manipulations described above. If the baby is afraid of needles and tweezers, then you can try to pull out the splinter with adhesive tape or adhesive tape, so as not to traumatize the psyche because of such a trifle. If the baby is brave, then it is best to lift the splinter with a needle and pull it out with tweezers in the opposite direction and at the same angle. It is very good if the child is busy with something (watching a cartoon, solving riddles) so that the whole procedure is less noticeable.

Some parents successfully remove splinters from their children in their sleep, but this is only possible if the baby is fast asleep and the splinter is clearly visible and can be easily removed.

How to protect your child from splinters

Of course, rather than removing splinters from a baby, it is easier to protect the child from them. To do this, it is important to follow a few simple rules:

keep the house clean so that there are no wood chips, etc.;
remove broken glass in a timely manner;
do not allow playing with untreated wooden objects;
examine the child’s hands after playing in the sand or staying in the village.

What do doctors do

If you were unable to remove the splinter on your own, then you need to contact the nearest medical facility for professional help. After the initial examination, the doctor will disinfect the surface, numb the area with the splinter, and remove the splinter through a small incision.

In most cases, the incisions are not deep, but sometimes several stitches may be required. If stitches are not applied, then ointment and tight bandaging will bring the process to a positive resolution - the edges of the wound will come together, the wound surface will be clean. It is only important to ensure that the dressings are changed as needed. If the splinter has entered under the nail, the doctor may suggest removing the nail to remove the splinter. Also, under local anesthesia, the nail plate will be removed and the splinter will be removed. Don't be upset - the nail will grow quickly and after a while it will become normal, like everyone else.

In any case, when contacting a doctor, qualified health care, thanks to which you can be sure of complete removal of the foreign body.

A trifle - this is what we usually say about small splinters, slivers that get under the skin and remain there. How to remove a splinter - this question comes to mind when it would seem that all methods with forceps and needles have been tried, but the infection still sits there and hurts and stings.

She will come out on her own, she won’t go anywhere. If you say so, then you probably have never had serious problems, rotting, etc.

But this small sliver can cause huge trouble if it lingers in the body for a long time. In this article we will tell you how to remove a splinter using folk remedies.

Surely you have repeatedly encountered such a problem as a splinter. It could have been a sliver of wood, or a piece of steel wire, or a piece of glass.

As a rule, we leave it there until it comes out on its own, and in most cases, the body independently pushes out the foreign body.

But if he fails to cope, then the wound quickly begins to fester and become infected. I don’t want to scare you, but it got to the point where part of the body had to be amputated only because the splinter was not removed in time, and it grew into big trouble.

If you suddenly receive such an injury, you should immediately get rid of the splinter. If you cannot do this on your own, then consult a doctor who will provide professional assistance, although, in most cases, the person gets into trouble on his own.

So, let's look at what folk remedies will help remove the splinter and return it to you.

Folk remedies for splinters

Iodine

First of all, try using ordinary pharmacy iodine. The fact is that if you anoint the place where the wound is several times, it can simply burn. In particular, this method helps if your material is not steel.

Iodine will help most effectively with a splinter from wood, so you can immediately use this method.

Salt

It is too effective method, which is able to solve the most complex problem. If a foreign body gets under the nail, which happens quite often, then iodine will not help much. You need to prepare a special solution.

Pour boiling water into a glass and add three tablespoons of salt. You will have to dip your toe into this water.

You should steam it in very hot water for about 15 minutes. Of course, try to make sure there are no burns, but the water should be as hot as possible. If there is a thorn in the heel, then it is The best way get rid of it, since the skin there is quite rough, and conventional methods will not work.

By the way, salt also helps with many other diseases. For example, they will immediately come to help.

Resin

Of course, you don't have to cook the resin that is used to create asphalt, because we are talking exclusively about tree resin that grows on fruit trees. Knead it and apply it to the damaged area. Literally after 30 minutes the splinter will begin to come out on its own; all you have to do is remove it carefully with tweezers.

Vegetable oil

This is another effective folk way to remove a splinter. If you still haven’t managed to get rid of the problem, then you should put the sore spot in a warm place. vegetable oil for 10-15 minutes. After this, it will come out on its own; you just have to remove it with a gentle movement.

Alcohol

Pour regular vodka or medical alcohol into a glass and dip your finger in it for 30 minutes. Again, as in the previous method, the splinter will begin to come out on its own; all you have to do is carefully remove it.

Banana

It's quite exotic, but interesting way removing a foreign body from under the skin. If you couldn’t get it out of your body, tie the banana skin with the soft side overnight. When you wake up, you will see that the splinter has almost left your body, take tweezers and remove it. This method, although exotic, has never failed.

Onion

If you don’t know how to remove a splinter, then make a paste out of an ordinary onion, apply it to the wound, and bandage it. In a couple of hours you will forget that you had a foreign body under your skin, just don’t cry!

With the help of such methods you can easily get rid of such a problem as a splinter. Of course, you must do this as soon as possible so that the process of suppuration does not begin, otherwise the wound will hurt for a long time and you will have to be treated. Be careful when working with wood, glass or metal. wishes you and Have a good mood!

It can be very easy to get a foreign body into your finger. It is often microscopic, invisible to the eye, but it brings great trouble and pain. If dirt (pathogenic bacteria and fungi) gets into the skin with a splinter, it can cause an inflammatory process and the formation of a purulent wound. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to know how to remove a splinter from a finger and whether the wound needs to be treated. Let's figure it out.

Before removing a splinter, you should thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and alkaline soap, and treat your skin and tools with an antibacterial solution. If you do not follow this rule, an infection may get into the wound, which leads to complications. The main consequences of improper removal of a foreign particle are:

the appearance of pus in the damaged area;
blood poisoning, or sepsis;
gangrene is the most dangerous consequence.

Important! Under no circumstances should you put pressure on the wound so that the splinter does not penetrate even deeper.

In most cases, you can remove a splinter from your finger at home, but sometimes the intervention of a medical professional is required.

You should contact a specialist when:

the splinter is deep under the nail, it is not visible;
the foreign particle is located far under the skin, and it has been impossible to get it out for twelve hours;
the sliver has been removed, but its end remains, causing concern, and cannot be reached by improvised means;
a piece of glass was embedded deep in the fabric;
the wound was caused by a poisonous plant;
part of the animal has penetrated the skin (fur, cat whiskers, insects, etc.);
on the wound under which the splinter is located, there is redness, numbness, hardening, throbbing pain or suppuration.

Techniques for removing a splinter

You can use tweezers to remove a splinter from a finger or toe if the end of the splinter is on the surface of the skin:

Examine the wound through a magnifying glass, making sure that the tip of the splinter can be caught with tweezers.
Treat the tweezers with an antiseptic (alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, etc.).
Grab the end of the sliver.
Make sure that no surrounding skin or hair is caught in the tongs.

The particle must be pulled out in the direction opposite to the one in which the sliver penetrated deep into the finger. If it is located at an angle, do not try to pull it straight out, it may break.

The method of removing a splinter with a needle is suitable if the particle is visible through the top layer of skin and its end cannot be grasped with tweezers. It is allowed to use an antiseptic-treated metal pin, a sewing needle or a needle from a disposable syringe. It is necessary to open the wound, damaging with the tip a sufficient area of skin above the foreign particle. After this, you can remove the splinter with tweezers or a needle. This method is suitable for those who have a steady hand and excellent vision.

If a child has received a splinter and the end of a small sliver sticks out, but the child does not allow it to be removed with a needle or forceps, then you can use medical glue. We need to lubricate the wound with it. After a while, when the glue has dried, remove it. The stuck chip should come out painlessly. After this, observe the child’s behavior to determine whether part of the foreign body remains in the finger. If the child complains about painful sensations, it is better to contact a specialist.

Advice! If a child has planted a splinter, the first thing to do is to calm the baby down. By panicking, the child may cause even more harm to himself.

Adhesive tape works well for removing several small splinters without a needle. You can use a medical adhesive plaster or tape. It is necessary to cut off a portion of the tape sufficient to cover the area affected by the thorns. A long piece will prevent you from missing small particles, but it is often inconvenient to use. It is better to take several pieces of short length. Gently apply the adhesive plaster to the affected area. There is no need to press on the tape. Then slowly remove it. The sharp particles should remain on the tape. You can repeat the procedure several times until the splinters are completely removed.

The medical patch can be used in another way. If the wound has healed but the splinter remains, then you need to stick an adhesive plaster on this area of the skin. It is better to use a rolled plaster without a gauze pad. The bandage must be left in place for at least a day. If it gets wet when washing your hands, don’t worry, it’s even better. Under the bandage, the skin will swell and the crust on the wound will soften. When removing the patch, the sliver is usually removed as well.

Hydrogen peroxide also helps in removing splinters. You need to moisten a piece of bandage or gauze and tie it to the injured area.

Folk remedies

If the foreign body cannot be picked up either with tweezers or with adhesive tape or adhesive tape, you can try to pull out the splinter:

To remove microscopic, barely noticeable splinters, you can use a remedy widely known in cooking. Make a paste of baking soda and apply it to the splinters. The skin under the baking soda will swell over time and push particles to the surface. This method should be used after all the others, since with wet skin it is difficult to use adhesive tape, tweezers or a needle.
You can apply the properties of indoor aloe. The juice of this plant perfectly softens the skin and has a bactericidal and wound-healing effect. The cut aloe leaf must be applied with the cut to the wound and secured with a bandage or plaster. After two hours, the foreign body can be easily removed with tweezers. If you use this method to remove a deep splinter from your foot, it will take more time. In this case, the procedure is repeated several times, and the bandage is changed every four hours.
Removes splinters well Birch tar. Apply a cotton swab soaked in it to the wound and hold it there for 30-40 minutes. The tip of the sliver should come out. Now the particle is easy to remove. You can use pine tree resin instead of tar. It has a bactericidal effect and will help avoid inflammation. This remedy is great for removing splinters from the heel.
Everyone in the house has potatoes. You need to cut the tuber, apply it cut side to the affected area of the skin and tie it. Potato juice will help pull out the splinter.
If you tie a piece of fresh lard to the damaged area, the native particle will come out quite quickly.

If a splinter gets under the nail

A particular problem is a splinter that has stuck under the nail. Compresses will help pull it out:

From medicinal herbs. Take dried comfrey or fenugreek root and grind it into powder. Add hot water until a thick paste forms. Treat your finger and nail with iodine or alcohol, apply the prepared paste and secure with a bandage. The bandage must be changed every three to four hours. Do this several times until the foreign particle appears on the surface. Carefully remove the splinter with tweezers.

From a bow. The onion must be peeled and grated. The resulting paste should be applied to the injured nail, covered with plastic wrap and tied with a bandage. The compress needs to be changed every three hours.

From pine resin. Apply it to the nail plate and around it, as well as under the nail. You need to bandage your finger tightly and leave the bandage on for six hours. After the specified time, the remaining oleoresin must be removed with a piece of cotton wool or gauze soaked in alcohol or turpentine. When you have access to the foreign particle, carefully pull it out with tweezers or a needle.

If the splinter under the nail is deep, a compress of crushed cabbage leaves with the addition of a tablespoon of alcohol or vodka helps. This compress is changed every three hours until the splinter becomes accessible.

After the foreign body has been removed from under the skin, the wound should be treated with a disinfectant and healing agent.

It is not easy to remove a deep splinter. If you do this in a hurry, you can drive it even deeper under the skin. if it is deeply embedded in our body? With sense, with composure and with arrangement! This requires certain knowledge. Which? Now you'll find out! Forward!

How to remove a splinter if it is deep?

Option number 1: deep, but visible

The first thing you need to do is inspect the place of its entrance.

If you see that its end is above the surface of the skin (despite the fact that it itself is “dug in” thoroughly), then you can try to pull the splinter out right away. How to do it? Use tweezers (at worst, cosmetic tweezers). Apply alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to the wound. Don't forget to disinfect your hands and tweezers. To ensure that the removal is successful and the splinter does not break off halfway, do not pull it with sudden movements. Pull out the foreign body smoothly and at the same angle at which it entered under the skin.

Option number 2: deep and not visible

How to remove a splinter if it is deeply embedded in the flesh? Here you and I will have to be extremely careful, because in this case it will be difficult to see, and you will not be able to pull it out entirely. You need to steam the affected area well. To do this, prepare a bowl of hot water, add a soap solution, and then dip the affected area in it for 5 minutes several times. Please note that the splinter may come out on its own.

If you still cannot remove the splinter from the steamed area, then seek the help of a traumatologist. In any case, a steamed area of skin is good. At least there won't be an abscess in this place. When the splinter is pulled out, be sure to treat the wound with an antiseptic (furacilin, potassium permanganate, alcohol, iodine, brilliant green, and so on).

How to remove a deep splinter using folk remedies?

Oddly enough, but the majority folk ways in this case they are really effective! I recommend that you use tar. You need to thickly lubricate the area affected by the splinter and, armed with disinfected nail clippers or tweezers, wait for it to appear. Usually a deep splinter appears 15 minutes after treatment. At this moment you need to grab it with tweezers and pull it towards you. Don't forget about the splinter pulling technique (see above). An alternative to tar is a piece of aloe, which should be applied and fixed to the affected area. The effect is the same: the skin softens, all debris is removed. Since the wound from a deep splinter is large, it should be treated with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, and then isolated from possible contamination with a medical plaster (bandage).

How to remove a splinter if it is deeply embedded under the nail?

Medieval torture

A splinter under the nail is a lot of different inconveniences and terrible discomfort. The periungual areas are rich in nerve receptors, which means they are very sensitive and painful. This was used in medieval torture by driving needles under fingernails.

How to remove a splinter from a nail?

As in the case of a deep splinter, here you need to use the steaming method. Pour the hottest water possible (so that you can stand it), add soda or salt to it. We lower our suffering finger there and hold it until the water cools to room temperature. Then use disinfected tweezers to slowly pull it out. If you can’t do anything on your own, urgently see a traumatologist!

Thank you

The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

What is a splinter?

Splinter– is any foreign body located in the skin or mucous membrane. Any object can act as a foreign body - glass shards, metal shavings, wood chips, plant thorns and thorns. These objects can penetrate through mechanical damage to the skin ( or mucous) cover. In this case, the integrity of the skin is compromised, which is accompanied by pain. However, very small splinters can penetrate painlessly and are detected only when complications develop.

Splinter options can be:

spines of cactus and other plants;
thorns of roses and other plants;
wooden, metal shavings;
sawdust, wood chips.

It is important to understand that along with a splinter, an infection also enters the body, because most often the above items are contaminated. That is why such a harmless phenomenon as a splinter is dangerous due to its complications. The most common consequence of a splinter is panaritium - purulent inflammation of the tissues of the finger. Less commonly, a splinter can lead to the formation of an abscess ( localized inflammation).

Black splinters under the nails

Sometimes black stripes appear on the surface of the nail plate, which some people mistake for a splinter. It should be immediately noted that these defects of the nail plate have nothing to do with a splinter. Very often these stripes are a manifestation of a fungus or other diseases.

Nails, like hair, are a reflection of our health. Based on the condition of the nails, the doctor can determine the deficiency of iron in the body and other microelements. It is important to pay attention to the direction of these stripes. Thus, transverse striations of the nail plate may indicate heart problems, while longitudinal striations indicate a fungal pathology.

The causes of black vertical stripes on nails are:

Fungal infection of the nail or onychomycosis. It is the most common cause of black stripes. It is very easy to treat with local and systemic antifungal agents.
Lack of vitamins ( avitaminosis) also causes brittle nails and the appearance of black stripes on them. As a rule, this is a deficiency of B vitamins, as well as vitamins A and C.
Iron deficiency ( anemia). Treated with iron supplements ( sorbifer).
Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach problems can also cause black streaks to appear on your nails. This is explained by the fact that in these pathologies there is insufficient absorption of vitamins and microelements. Therefore, even if they enter the body in sufficient quantities, they are not absorbed at the level of the gastric and intestinal mucosa.

Splinter from a cactus

The cactus splinter is one of the most common types of splinters. As a rule, such splinters stick into the fingertips and under the nails. Pulling out such a splinter, most often, is not difficult. If the thorn from the cactus was more than one centimeter in size, then it can be easily pulled out with tweezers. But here you need to be careful and not squeeze the tweezers too hard so as not to break the splinter. If the thorns were small, a couple of millimeters in size, then it is easier to pull out such splinters with adhesive tape.
Regardless of the method of removing a splinter, it is important to follow the rules of hygiene. Splinters are removed exclusively with clean hands, and the affected area is treated with an antiseptic before and after.

Metal splinter

Metal splinters, as a rule, penetrate the body when working in a carpentry workshop. This type of splinter is very dangerous, as it immediately leads to the development of severe inflammation. Therefore, if such a splinter cannot be removed immediately, you need to contact a surgeon. You cannot remove a deeply embedded metal splinter on your own.

Symptoms of a splinter in children and adults

The main symptom of a splinter is its visible end on the surface of the skin. If a splinter goes under the skin, then its symptoms depend on how deep it goes. Superficial splinters are visible to the naked eye under the epidermis layer, and the skin around them becomes reddened. A deep splinter is not visually visible, but it leads to the development of symptoms such as redness, swelling and pain.

Inflammation due to splinter

Any, even very small, splinter is accompanied by the development of an inflammatory process. In this case, inflammation is a protective reaction in response to the penetration of a foreign body into the body.
In most cases, manifestations of inflammation with a splinter are redness and local ( local) swelling. The first sign is due to the dilation of the blood vessels of the skin, as a result of which they are saturated with blood, which gives a red tint. Edema is provoked by increased permeability of the same vessels, due to which fluid is transuded from them ( flows out) in fabric. The release of fluid into the tissue surrounding the splinter leads to the development of edema. Both increased permeability of blood vessels and their dilation ( extension) is caused by the action of inflammatory mediators, which is formed in response to the penetration of a foreign body into the body.

Further, the development of the clinical picture depends on the size of the splinter and its future fate. If the splinter was removed and treated in a timely manner, the inflammation will regress ( passes). If the splinter was stopped or not completely removed ( or extracted but not processed), then the inflammatory process progresses further with the development of purulent inflammation.

Infection ( infection) after a splinter

Sometimes, even after removing the splinter, an infection may remain in the body. This can happen for several reasons. The most common cause is a remaining splinter fragment in the tissue or bacteria that originally entered along with the splinter. Inflammation can also be caused by poor hygiene when removing a splinter. To avoid this, it is necessary to treat the splinter site with an antiseptic before and after removal, and also remove the splinter with exclusively clean hands.

The most common infection after a splinter is panaritium - inflammation of the tissue of the fingers. The cause of felon is the penetration of pyogenic bacteria ( staphylococci or streptococci) into soft tissues. Penetration can occur through small splinters, wounds, and abrasions. Panaritium is a very serious consequence, and if urgent measures are not taken, the infection can spread further down the arm. Involvement of hand tissues, including tendons and joints, in the infectious process can result in finger amputation.

The types of panaritium are:

Cutaneous- develops on the back of the finger. Pus accumulates around the nail bed. Outwardly, it looks like a dense bubble filled with a cloudy yellow liquid. The skin around the blister becomes red, swollen and very tight. This phenomenon is accompanied by a feeling of pain and burning.
Subcutaneous- develops on the palmar surface of the fingers or hands. In this case, pus accumulates under thick skin. Due to the dense skin on the palmar surface, pus cannot spill out, but spreads deeper into the joints and bones. As a result, subcutaneous panaritium is often accompanied by joint damage.
Subungual– is a common complication of subungual splinter. In this case, the inflammation covers the soft tissue under the nail. Accumulating pus often penetrates under the nail plate ( nail).
Periungual– is a common consequence of a manicure performed in unsanitary conditions. However, a subungual splinter can also be a complication. The inflammation affects the periungual fold, and pus accumulates there.
Tendinous– most often it is secondary, that is, it develops as a consequence of primary panaritium. For example, with the penetration of pus from superficially located layers, with subcutaneous panaritium. It is a rather dangerous disease and can lead to arm amputation.
Articular– is also most often a complication of cutaneous panaritium, when pus, unable to find a way out, begins to penetrate deep into the joints and tendons.

Treatment of infection after a splinter cannot be done on an outpatient basis ( that is, at home). These complications are an indication for urgent medical attention.

What to do if the splinter hurts?

Pain is the very first and most obvious symptom of a splinter. Initially, it is a consequence of mechanical damage to the skin, as a result of which the nerve endings are injured, which leads to the development of pain. However, later the pain intensifies. This is explained by the development of edema and the accumulation of pus, as a result of which the surrounding tissue becomes tense. To eliminate pain in this case, it is necessary to reduce swelling and reduce tension. The best way to cope with this is to take warm salt baths. According to the law of osmosis, excess liquid in soft tissues will become hypertensive ( salty) solution.

What to do if a splinter breaks out?

The remaining splinter begins to tear over time, which means the production and accumulation of pus. Pus is a cloudy liquid with an unpleasant ( sometimes smelly) odor, which is the result of purulent inflammation. The process of pus formation is called suppuration, or popularly called abscess. For purulent inflammation, the presence of pathogenic microbes in the wound is necessary. Most often, these microbes enter the body along with a splinter. Most often, purulent inflammation is provoked by pyogenic bacteria, such as staphylococci and clostridia.

If a splinter breaks out, then, first of all, it must be removed. Along with the removal of the splinter, the process of suppuration will also stop. However, most often, at the time of the abscess, the splinter has already entered deeply into the tissue, and it is impossible to remove it without surgical intervention. To do this, the focus of purulent inflammation must be opened.

How to painlessly pull out ( get it) a splinter?

People rarely seek help to remove a splinter in specialized medical institutions. As a rule, people come to see a doctor with complications - panaritium, suppuration. Until this moment, the victim tries to remove the splinter on his own. It should be noted that sometimes this is not so difficult to do. It is important to follow the basic rules.

The rules for removing a splinter are as follows:

any splinter, regardless of size, must be removed exclusively with clean hands;
Before removal, the affected area must be treated with an antiseptic ( it could be iodine, hydrogen peroxide, formic alcohol);
the area after removing the splinter must also be subsequently treated with an antiseptic;
It is not recommended to try to squeeze out the splinter, as this may drive it even deeper inside.

There are several ways to remove a shallow splinter. The most common way is to use tweezers or a needle ( the needle is from a syringe, not for sewing). Tweezers are used when the end of the splinter is visible on the surface of the skin. The site of the splinter and the tweezers themselves are first treated with hydrogen peroxide or some other antiseptic. Next, you need to pick up the protruding splinter by the visible edge and pull it in the direction opposite to the line of entry into the skin. In this case, it is important to pull out the splinter smoothly, otherwise it may break at the base. Some of the splinter remaining inside can fester over time and lead to the formation of an abscess.

Instead of tweezers, you can use a syringe needle. The syringe, of course, must be new; it is strictly forbidden to use used needles. It is recommended to use a needle when the splinter is very small and has entered superficially under the skin. There is nothing to pick up such a splinter, but it is clearly visible to the naked eye under the epidermis ( top layer of skin). After treating the affected area, the needle is disconnected from the syringe and inserted under the skin over the splinter. The needle is smoothly advanced, as if cutting the skin over the splinter. As a result, the skin over the splinter is cut with the sharp edge of the needle, and the splinter itself is exposed, after which it is easily removed. An alternative to tweezers and a needle is ichthyol ointment.

How to remove a deep splinter under a nail?

Fingers are the most favorite place for splinters, which is why splinters are most often removed from the fingers or from under the nails. Depending on the location of the splinter, tweezers or a needle can be used to remove it. However, as a rule, splinters go deep under the nail and become inaccessible for removal. Therefore, in this case, it is recommended to initially resort to using an ointment or saline solution. They will help remove the splinter to the surface, after which it will become easier to pick it up with tweezers.

A popular home remedy is baking soda. It is mixed with ordinary water to a thick paste, after which it is applied to the surface with a splinter. Next, a patch is applied to the affected area and left for a day. Soda draws to the surface not only the splinter, but also the inflammatory fluid around it. If the splinter causes severe pain, then it is better to resort to ichthyol ointment, which in addition has an analgesic ( anesthetic) Effect. The ointment is applied like soda.

A day later, the patch is removed, and the end of the splinter, which has come to the surface of the skin during this time, is grabbed with tweezers. If the splinter was very deep, then a very small end of the splinter may come to the surface. To make it easier to catch, you can first pry the splinter with a needle. When the splinter is visible to the naked eye, it is recommended to use tweezers. The edge of the splinter is grabbed with tweezers and gently pulled. Do not squeeze the tweezers too hard, as this may break the tip of the splinter. The tweezers are first sterilized in boiling water or treated with an antiseptic solution.

How to remove a splinter with a needle?

Sometimes you can remove a splinter using a syringe needle. To do this, the splinter must be located under the skin, but very superficially. However, it should be visible to the naked eye. It is recommended to use a needle from a two-millimeter syringe. You can, of course, resort to a larger needle ( the larger the syringe, the thicker the needle), but in this case it will be more difficult to expose the splinter. The syringe must be new and in a sealed package. After removing the syringe, the needle must be disconnected and held by the base. It is recommended to pre-treat the area where the splinter is embedded with an alcohol solution. Next, holding the needle by the base, its sharp end is inserted parallel to the splinter under the skin. The needle should pass between the skin and the splinter parallel to the latter. Using the sharp edge of the needle, you need to lift the skin a little, thereby cutting through it. Having cut the skin over the splinter, the latter is easily removed with the sharp edge of a needle.

How to remove a splinter without a needle?

Instead of a needle, you can use tweezers, ointment, and sometimes even duct tape to remove the splinter. Tweezers are suitable when the splinter has not completely gone under the skin, and its end is visible above the skin surface. In this case, the free end of the splinter is grabbed with tweezers and then removed. A prerequisite for this manipulation is to treat the area with an antiseptic before and after removing the splinter.
The use of adhesive tape or plaster is suitable for very small splinters located superficially ( for example, if fiberglass or small cactus spines act as a splinter). To do this, first cut off a piece of adhesive tape, which should cover the affected area in size. The tape is carefully pasted, but without pressing, and also carefully removed after 10 seconds. Small splinters remain on the tape, however, if this does not happen, the procedure can be repeated.

Some ointments will also help to cope with the splinter. The most common remedy in this case is ichthyol ointment. The ointment contains components such as ichthyol and petroleum jelly, which have an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. The ointment is easy to purchase in pharmacies and is sold without a prescription. The skin around the splinter is pre-treated with an antiseptic solution, after which a thin layer of ointment is applied to the splinter and the area around it. After this, the splinter is sealed with a plaster and left for 10 hours. Ichthyol enhances regeneration processes ( recovery) and exchange in tissues, eliminates inflammation and thus “pulls out” the splinter. After 10–14 hours, the patch is removed, and the splinter comes out on its own.

How to remove a splinter using soda?

Sometimes splinters go deep into the tissue, so that it becomes impossible to pick them up with tweezers or a needle. To remove the splinter in this case, they resort to the use of ointments. The ointment is applied to the affected area of skin and then covered. A day later ( minimum 10 – 12 hours) the patch is removed. Ichthyol ointment, or any other, draws the splinter to the surface, making it easier to remove.

It should be noted that such products can also be made at home.
For example, a popular extraction agent is baking soda paste. It contains ordinary baking soda and a small amount boiled water. The ingredients are mixed together to form a paste, after which the resulting paste is applied to the affected area. A tampon is applied on top and the patch is sealed for a day. The mechanism of action of soda is similar to the effect of saline solution - due to the difference in osmolar pressure between the affected area and soda, the splinter comes out.

How to treat a splinter?

Treatment of the splinter is a prerequisite when removing it. This procedure will reduce the risk of developing purulent complications. For this purpose, as a rule, the most simple remedies, which are in the home medicine cabinet.

Means for treating splinters are:

hydrogen peroxide;
brilliant green ( "diamond green");
alcohol solution of iodine;

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