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Do metal splinters come out on their own?

de void — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 06:16:41 -0800

Got a splinter (actually a metal whisker) in the sole of my foot. Can't get a hold of it without some significant flesh excavation. Will it get expelled eventually, or do I need medical attention? About 3 days ago I was walking around barefoot and got that distinct "something is sticking in my foot twinge". Close inspection revealed a tiny metal whisker sticking out of my foot.

I grabbed it with a pair of tweezers and pulled. It started to come out, but then I feld a distinct "click" and only the portion actually grabbed by the tweezers came out. An hours worth of probing and digging with a needle and a knife point (both first wiped with rubbing alcohol) didn't expose any more of the whisker and was starting to produce plenty of blood.

So, here I am 3 days later. I know something is in there because I still feel that twinge constantly and a slight bit of pain when weighting that area. I can still walk fine, it's more annoying than anything else at this point.

Does something like this work itself out eventually or should I seek professional medial attention?

nail + splinter = ouch

googly — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 13:39:48 -0800

How do you get a splinter out from under a fingernail? I have a small but painful splinter that is wedged under my middle fingernail. Its been there about a week now. I've trimmed the fingernail about as far back as I can, and tried digging around with various instruments but have gotten nowhere. Anything I can do? Its no emergency but it does hurt.

Splinter Removal

jonah — Wed, 21 Jan 2004 08:59:42 -0800

Splinter removal. I got a gnarly splinter last night walking past a light pole, it's very deep and I can't seem to get it out. I soaked my hand, which I found out was wrong because it expands the wood, I tried grabbing it with tweezers, but it's too deep. I tried google, but could only find a few suggestions, any tried and true methods of getting out a DEEP (and painful) splinter?