A splinter is a sharp object that is stuck between the layers of the skin and is at an acute angle relative to the surface. In children, it is not uncommon. After all, they get injured due to their increased activity. The complexity of the splinter lies in the method of their extraction. The main problem is not only in calming the child, but also in choosing the method of removing a foreign body. How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle? There are several ways to extract it, which will be discussed later in the article.
Where do the splinters come from?
It is well known that a splinter is a foreign body that gets under the skin. The degree of damage is different. Splinters are divided into wooden and metal, less often from other materials.
A foreign body penetrates the skin upon contact with its carrier. Toddlers sometimes get a splinter when playing, during a fall, or when other dangerous situations occur. Most often, they are found on the face, legs, elbows, nails and on the fingers and toes. How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle? This will be described later.
What is the danger
In most cases, a splinter can be removed independently, but in some situations, immediate medical attention is required. If it has not been detected by parents for a long time, then there is a risk of secondary infection. Even after removing the splinter, the inflammatory process can develop further.
What is the danger of splintering? Here are the main factors:
- blood poisoning, sepsis;
- bacterial infection;
- pus at the site of skin lesions;
- the need for surgical intervention at the risk of scar formation.
How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle from a finger? When it appears, it is necessary to organize its rapid removal. This will prevent the occurrence of negative consequences.
How to remove a splinter in a small child
In children, the procedure for extracting a foreign body is accompanied by numerous difficulties. It is best to carry out the extraction of a foreign body during his sleep. However, you should definitely exclude the possibility of fright of the baby. A small child is usually given a favorite toy.
Mom should not carry out preparatory procedures for the baby. It is best to take it during this period with your favorite activities (playing, watching cartoons).
Before removing the splinter, you need to distract the baby so that he does not get scared and does not interfere with his parents. After removing the foreign body, he must be praised for what he endured.
How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle from a hand? For young children, it is best to use the most gentle methods. If you can’t get rid of a splinter by folk methods, it is best to consult a specialist. Compresses, dressings and steaming will be ineffective due to the mobility of the child and the fear of increased pain.
How to pull a splinter in older children
Before starting the extraction procedure, it is necessary to reassure the child and somehow distract him. After all, if the baby is nervous and crying, then removing the splinter will be extremely difficult.
Initially, parents should stop being nervous. After all, their panic is instantly transmitted to the child, it will be difficult to calm him down.
How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle from a hand? Before the removal procedure, older children can explain its necessity, but you should not scare them with blood poisoning and other negative consequences. It is enough for them to tell that after the procedure the pain will disappear.
Necessary Methods
The set of tools for removing the splinter will depend entirely on the method chosen. You can use a needle or tweezers. Separate procedures involve the use of a patch.
How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle from a palm? Before the start of the process, the site of the lesion is treated with an antiseptic. You can use hydrogen peroxide or ordinary alcohol.
Steaming application
Steaming baths are done in several ways. The main components are salt, soda or baby soap. The treatment time is 10 minutes.
The steaming baths are suitable for removing the splinter if it is on the arm, foot or under the nails. If other parts of the body are affected, it is necessary to use the help of a specialist.
Steaming baths:
- Baby soap. Grate half the bar and mix with hot water (300 ml). Mix everything and wait for the soap to dissolve. The steaming procedure is carried out without waiting for the water to cool.
- Salt and soda. In 300 ml of hot water add 1 teaspoon of soda and salt. To enhance the effect, you can apply a decoction of chamomile.
The duration of the procedure should be at least 10 minutes.
How to get it
How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle? There are many options for its extraction. The methods have some differences depending on the location of the foreign object. The most difficult splinter comes from the heels or from under the nail. In the first case, when walking, the foreign body penetrates deeper into the skin, and in the second case, the help of a specialist may be needed.
Features of the extraction of splinter, which depend on the location:
- From a finger. In this situation, you can use tape, a needle, a plaster, tweezers or folk remedies. Before the procedure, it is necessary to steam the affected area of the finger.
- How to pull a splinter in a child without a needle from the heel? Before removing the splinter, the affected area is steamed. In this case, the foreign body is removed with tweezers or a needle. If the splinter cannot be removed, then it is necessary to consult a specialist.
- From under the nail. If splinters enter this area, it is best to consult a doctor. Previously, you can try to extract it using folk methods or by steaming.
How to pull a splinter in a child without a needle from under the nail? If it is not possible to get rid of a foreign body, then medical assistance in this situation is inevitable. Before removing the splinter, it is necessary to determine the most effective method that is suitable for its removal.
Removal Methods
How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle and tweezers? There are two categories of deletion. With and without a needle. The procedures related to the second method are most often used to remove a foreign body that has not penetrated too deep into the skin.
Deep splinters can only be removed with a needle. Before and after the procedure, the skin is treated with an antiseptic.
Removing a foreign body with a needle and tweezers:
- before removal, tools are treated with alcohol;
- with a needle lift the skin over the splinter;
- then pick up with a needle and pull the foreign body from the wound;
- the extraction process is carried out with tweezers;
- in some cases, a splinter is removed with one tweezers.
Known methods for the extraction of splinters using adhesive tape and patch:
- a similar method is suitable if the splinter is not deep;
- stick a small piece of adhesive tape or patch to the wound;
- the procedure is repeated 2-3 times;
- if the splinter cannot be removed, then other methods must be used.
Extraction using table salt:
- in hot water dissolve 3 tbsp. tablespoons of funds;
- the child’s finger must be lowered into the resulting solution;
- water should be hot, but not burning;
- within 2-3 hours, the splinter will come out on its own.
Foreign body extraction using PVA:
- a small amount of glue is applied to the splinter site;
- after hardening, they tear it off the skin with a sharp movement.
This method largely coincides with the method of removing a foreign body with adhesive tape or patch.
How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle? Using ichthyol ointment:
- a splinter is treated with a small amount of funds and a bandage is applied;
- in a day she will be able to go out on her own;
- The method is especially effective for removing splinter from under the nail.
This method should not be used for young children, because they will try their best to remove the bandage.
Traditional medicine
How to pull a splinter from a child without a needle in the foot? Alternative methods are highly effective. Natural remedies have special properties and push a splinter out of the skin.
Use various techniques with extreme caution. Hands before the procedure are treated with soap or an antiseptic.
Examples of folk remedies include:
- Aloe. The leaf of the plant is cut and fixed with a bandage. After 2-3 hours, check the condition of the skin and remove the splinter that appears from the wound.
- Tar. The lesion site is lubricated with a tool. After 20 minutes, a splinter appears from the wound.
- Soda. Sodium bicarbonate 1 teaspoon is diluted with water to form a mushy state. Place the resulting mass at the lesion site, which will accelerate the extraction of a foreign body.
- Fat. A piece of product is tied to the wound. After a few hours, the condition of the skin is checked, and when a splinter appears, it is removed.
- Resin. Before the procedure, a warming bath is preliminarily made. Splinter removal time is 30 minutes.
The use of traditional medicine allows you to remove a foreign body painlessly and quickly.
In what situations to see a doctor
The reason for contacting a medical institution is the inability to carry out the procedure on their own. Ignore the splinter should not. Its size does not matter. Even a small foreign body can cause an inflammatory process.
If the baby is in pain, and a swelling or pus appears at the site of the wound, then it is necessary to visit a doctor immediately.
A specialist visit is required in the following cases:
- the affected area turned red and swollen;
- the splinter is a splinter of glass or metal;
- a foreign body cannot be completely removed;
- the baby found several splinters;
- folk remedies and other methods did not lead to a positive result.
Experts do not recommend parents to independently remove a splinter if it is located on the face or other tender areas of the baby’s skin. This can scare him.
Conclusion
Children, due to their activity and curiosity, often experience splinters. They are minor injuries, but a wound on a child’s body is an accessible entry for harmful microflora. It enters the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. You can remove the splinter yourself quickly and without complications. However, this is not justified in all situations. If an inflammatory process and pus appeared in the wound area, then it is best to contact a medical institution.