Foreign Object In The Skin - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

Overview

• When object is lodged in the skin layers
• It may be embedded superficially or deeply

Causes

• Caused by glass
• Wood splinters
• Fiber glass

Symptoms

• Irritation
• Pain
• Abscess

Treatment

• Wash hands well
• Clean the affected area using soap, water
• If object is visible above skin, squeeze the area around
• When object pops out, remove using sterile tweezer
• If embedded under skin, use a sterile needle
• Sterilize needle by flaming/wiping

  with alcohol

• Use needle to break skin over affected area
• Lift tip of the object
• Use a small tweezer to pull it out
• Gently squeeze the area and let bleed
• Clean the area with soap, water. Pat dry
• Apply an antibiotic

Steps to Avoid

• Do not wet if the object is of wood
• Wet wooden objects swell- becomes difficult to remove

Consult a doctor

• If the object is difficult to remove
• If the object is close to a sensitive body part, like the eye
• In case of infection