Consequences on the body
If the splinter remains in the skin, the body’s natural reaction will be to fight and expel the foreign glass. In this case, there is inflammation around the material. On some occasions, pus may come out, but the splinter may also be encompassed or isolated, forming a scar.
If contaminated, the material can carry types of fungi and bacteria that can be harmful and result in abscesses, cellulitis, erysipelas, mycoses and even tetanus. Depending on the person’s health history and the severity of the infectious process, there is a likelihood of loss of the affected limb and even death.
Removal options
When they are superficial and small, splinters can be removed using a few techniques, as long as the area is not rubbed so that the material does not sink further into the skin. Squeezing is also not a good alternative, as it can cause pain and fragment the splinter. Extraction options include sterilized tweezers, adhesive tape or baking soda.
With tweezers or tape, the idea is to pull the part of the splinter that is out, while the bicarbonate should trigger a reaction that can push the material out, when applied as a paste to the area and covered with tape.
