Foreign object in the skin: First aid

Date Updated: 05/08/2024

Overview

A foreign object in the skin might be anything from a tiny wood splinter to a large, jagged piece of glass. Serious wounds can be deep and dangerous with severe bleeding and a risk of infection.

Seek prompt medical help for a foreign object that is very painful or is deeply embedded in the skin or muscle. Follow these precautions and steps first:

Don't try to remove the object. Doing so could cause further harm.
Bandage the wound. First put a piece of gauze over the object. Then put clean padding around the object before binding the wound securely with a bandage or a piece of clean cloth. Take care not to press too hard on the object.

Treatment

You can usually safely remove a small foreign object that's just under the surface of the skin. Examples of such an object are a wood splinter, thorn, and fragment of fiberglass. Follow these first-aid steps:

Wash your hands and clean the area well with soap and water.
Use tweezers cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove the object. Use a magnifying glass to help you see better.
If the object is under the surface of the skin, sterilize a clean, sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol. Use the needle to gently break the skin over the object and lift up the tip of the object.
Use a tweezers to grab the end of the object and remove it.
Wash the area again and pat dry. Apply petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment.

When to call your doctor

In addition, seek medical help if:

The object is hard to see, such as clear glass, or doesn't come out easily, such as can happen with a fishhook.
The injury involves an eye or is close to an eye.
The wound is deep or dirty, and the injured person's last tetanus vaccination was more than five years ago. Your healthcare professional may recommend a booster.