Removing a splinter from a finger is not a very difficult task. Still, to avoid complicating it with an infection, you must take some necessary steps when trying.
A splinter may be wholly exposed, or it may remain under the skin, and the procedure for removing one or the other is slightly different. Another issue that you should not forget and that is also important is that you pay attention to the signs of possible infection that appear in the area.
Keep reading this FastlyHealarticle to learn how to successfully remove a splinter from your finger.
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How to know if I have a splinter on my finger
You may suspect that you have a splinter on your finger when it hurts in a specific area under the skin if you see a minor point in that area, if there is inflammation with redness and pain, and, of course, if you have a history of having manipulated or scraped wood, metal, glass or plastic.
Remember that splinters are tiny fragments of any of these materials that become embedded under the surface layer of the skin. The places most frequently introduced are on the hands and feet.
What if a splinter gets buried
When a splinter remains buried, your body will try to expel it since it is a foreign object.
One of the most frequent ways is that a kind of capsule is generated around the splinter and that, little by little, it is expelled. This is how a healthy and balanced body gets rid of a material that has become embedded and does not need.
In that case, you may notice that the area is a little reddened, and little by little, a bump will appear. That process can take a long time to take place.
Sometimes, especially if the object is filthy, an infection may develop in the area where the splinter is. In this case, more noticeable symptoms will appear, such as:
- Inflammation.
- Pain.
- Redness
- Suppuration.
- Swelling of the nearby locations.
If your health is weakened, for example, if you suffer from significant imbalances such as diabetes, the infection may be more essential or spread faster. General symptoms such as fever, decay, or general malaise may even appear if the disease becomes complicated.
If that were the case or you are not calm with the evolution you are having, go to a health center, especially if you suffer from other diseases.
How to remove a splinter from your finger correctly.
When a splinter is buried in a finger, you can try to remove it at home in a reasonably simple way.
The way to do it will be different if you see the splinter protruding or hidden under the skin.
How to remove a protruding splinter
If you see a small fragment of the splinter, even if it is minimal, you can try to remove it using small tweezers like those used to pluck the eyebrows:
- Make sure you are in a well-lit area for good vision.
- Clean the caliper with rubbing alcohol or hold the end of the clip-on fire to clean it.
- Clean your hands before handling the forceps.
- Very delicately, he supports the open clamp as if embracing the splinter.
- Close the clamp, trying to grasp the end of the splinter while gently pulling out.
- Once you have removed the splinter, wash the area well with soap and water, if it is neutral better.
- Clean with a disinfectant such as a povidone-iodine.
How to remove a splinter that is wholly buried
If the end of the splinter does not stick out, if you only see a black dot or puncture when touched, you can proceed to remove it as follows:
- To facilitate your vision, locate yourself in a place with adequate light.
- Wash your hands well.
- Clean the splinter area with soap and water.
- Clean a sewing needle (like the tweezers in the previous section, soak it in alcohol for 10 minutes or burn the pointed end directly in a flame).
- With the needle, remove the small layer of superficial skin covering the splinter area.
- With the tip of the needle, remove the splinter in the direction it entered, trying to make it protrude.
- If necessary, you can use a small tweezer to remove the splinter. Remember to sterilize the forceps in the same way as the needle.
- Clean the splinter area by washing again with soap and water or an antiseptic.
In both cases, you can put antibiotic cream on the area where the splinter was. Another option is to put a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic cream like the one obtained by mixing one tablespoon of ghee with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric.
You must keep the area clean and cover it if you are exposed to any type of dirt.
Suppose you notice any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, heat, or drainage. In that case, you must consult a doctor, especially if you see that it is progressing rapidly or if you suffer from a significant imbalance such as diabetes.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any kind of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to remove a splinter from your finger, we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair, and nails category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.