What is a Splinter?
Splinter are objects that become embedded under the skin. Most often these are tiny pieces of wood, although glass, metal, and plastic can be splinters too.
Taking it out as soon as you spot it helps prevent infection and makes removal easier (since the skin won’t have time to heal over the splinter).
Signs and Symptoms
– a small speck or line under the skin, usually on the hands or feet
– a feeling that something is stuck under the skin
– pain at the location of the splinter
– sometimes redness, swelling, warmth, or pus (signs of infection)
How to protect your staff from it and embedded objects.
– Wear leather-lined gloves – it is important to wear gloves when working with wood and other materials because they protect our hands from getting splinters and being infected or contaminated.
– Wear shoes! Shoes protect your tender feet from getting hurt. Wear shoes or flip-flops outside, especially on wooden porches, decks, and boardwalks. Also wear shoes or slippers anytime a glass gets broken or there’s other debris on the floor in the house.
– Watch out for wooden railings and work equipment. Don’t rub your hands along these rough surfaces. Hands are another prime location for getting it.
– Look before you roll into the bushes and brush. Some plants have thorns, spikes, or little prickly things on them, so watch out before you make that diving catch. You also might want to look before you sit. No one wants a splinter in the behind!
What to do if you get a splinter or embedded object?
– Wash your hands, then the area around the splinter with soap and warm water.
– Sterilize tweezers and a needle by putting the ends of each in boiling water, then wipe them off with a clean cotton ball or alcohol pad.
– If the splinter is sticking through the skin, firmly grip the end with the tweezers. Pull slowly and gently at the same angle the splinter went in so it won’t break.
– If the tip of the splinter isn’t sticking out, gently scrape the skin away from the splinter with the needle until there’s an end to grab with the tweezers.
– After the splinter is removed, wash the area again and cover it with a bandage.
Get Medical Care if:
– the splinter seems to be too deep or won’t come out
– the splinter is under a fingernail or toenail and can’t be reached
– the wound is bleeding a lot
– the skin around the wound looks infected
– your child’s vaccines are not up to date
One thing I realized is that everything always ends up working out. Sometimes even better than you can imagine. Remember this when you feel like you’re in a hard place or you feel like you’re being challenged the most. Believe in where you’re headed. See the bigger picture.
Please note that regular First Aid and CPR Training is the best way to make sure that you’re prepare in the case of an emergency.
Book CPR and First Aid Training in Tullamarine, north west of Melbourne or we can come to your location. 10% off for a group of 10 or more!
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