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What causes a glass splinter in the foot?
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Can a glass splinter cause pain?
What happens if you step on a glass splinter?
What to do if a glass splinter is stuck in your foot?
Are glass splinters easy to remove?
Jul 16, 2023 · What is a Glass Splinter? Causes of Glass Foot Splinters; Symptoms of Glass Foot Splinter; How to Treat Stepping on Glass at Home
- Splinters Treatment
Care for a Tiny Splinter. If it doesn't hurt, let the...
- Splinters Treatment
- Overview
- How to remove glass from your foot
- When to call your doctor
- Can a glass splinter come out by itself?
- Takeaway
A splinter in your foot is no fun. It can cause pain, especially when you put weight on the foot with the splinter. Of more concern, however, is that the splinter could have introduced bacteria or fungi that could cause infection.
If it’s near the surface of the skin or protruding from the skin, you can often remove the splinter on your own, safely. If it’s deeply embedded in your foot, consider seeking help from a medical professional.
Keep in mind, splinters can be of higher risk if you have a medical condition such as:
•lowered immunity
•diabetes
•diseased blood vessels
The Mayo Clinic recommends taking these steps to remove any foreign object, including glass, from any part of your body:
1.Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands and the area around the splinter.
2.Clean a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol and use them to remove the glass.
3.If the splinter is below the surface of the skin, use rubbing alcohol to clean a sharp sewing needle. Gently lift or break the skin over the splinter with the sterilized needle. Lift the tip of the splinter out so you can grab it with the tweezers and pull it out.
4.Once the glass is out, gently squeeze the area to allow blood to wash the germs out of the wound.
5.Use soap and water to rewash the area and then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound.
Do not try to remove the splinter on your own if the splinter appears to be deeply embedded in your skin or the muscle of your foot. Trying to remove a deeply embedded piece of glass could cause more damage.
To prepare yourself for the trip to the doctor, follow these steps:
•Control the bleeding. If necessary, bring the edges of the wound together with firm pressure. This is best done when the injury is raised higher than the heart.
•Bandage the wound. Start with a piece of sterile gauze over the area with the splinter and then securely bind the wound with a bandage or clean cloth. Do not put too much pressure on the splinter.
Other signs and symptoms that you may need help from your doctor include:
•The splinter is causing severe pain.
Small, pain-free splinters located near the skin surface can slowly work their way out with normal shedding of the skin.
Also, the body might reject the glass splinter as a foreign body by forming a small pus-filled pimple. When that pimple bursts, the splinter may float out with the pus.
A glass splinter in your foot may work its way out by itself. But you can take steps to get it out to alleviate pain and lower the risk of infection.
In some cases, such as a deep or infected splinter, you may need to see a doctor for removal and medication.
- Scott Frothingham
- Sterilization. Before touching the foot with the glass splinter, you should wash your hands with soap and warm water. Then, wash the foot with warm soapy water.
- Preparation. Be ready to use the tweezers right after you’ve sterilized them. Don’t put them on the counter or floor as that can cause bacteria to come on them.
- Removal. If you can see the splinter poking out of the skin of the foot, then you should be able to get it out with tweezers. With the sterilized tweezers, grab the part of the splinter that is poking out.
- Aftercare. Once the splinter is removed, wash the affected area with soap and warm water again to prevent infection. Dry the area with a clean cloth and then put a bandage over it to keep anything else from infecting the site.
Aug 1, 2024 · While it might sting a little bit, glass pieces and splinters are easy to remove as long as you have tweezers and a sewing needle on hand. We’re here to walk you through all your frequently asked questions, so you can patch up your foot quickly and safely.
- 1.1M
Jul 27, 2017 · Wood or metal splinters are easier to spot than glass shards since glass tends to be clear and tiny. Using the proper tools enables you to spot the glass to remove it successfully. Wash your hands and the affected foot with soap and water before attempting to remove the glass.
Jun 28, 2017 · If this is the case, a splinter in the foot might result in a visible red streak up the leg around 24 hours later — again a result of inflammation in the lymph vessels.
What happens if a piece of glass is left in the skin? Leaving a piece of glass in your foot can lead to: Infection. Signs include redness, swelling, warmth and pus. Pain and swelling. Ongoing pain and swelling can occur. Difficulty walking. Walking may become painful and difficult. Abscess formation.
