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splinter
A splinter refers to a small piece of wood, metal or glass that breaks off from a larger piece and may be potentially dangerous for a human being. This splinter piece tends to get lodged in the skin easily as it is usually sharp. Since the splinter is usually very tiny and small, it is also very difficult to see. A splinter usually causes a sharp pain with the pain often being felt only when the area is pressed or touched. Wood splinters are extremely common, especially for individuals who have wooden furniture or may handle wood on a regular basis.
Splinters are most often found in fingers and toes but may also be found in other areas of the skin. Fingers tend to be particularly susceptible to small splinters because the skin tends to be quite soft and the exposure of the hands to possible splinters tends to be quite common.
A splinter would usually cause sharp short bursts of pain, especially when it is compressed. Splinters may be otherwise harmless. Larger splinters, though, could cause complications. If the splinter wound heals with the object still embedded in the skin, then it may become infected. It is not uncommon for a boil to form around a splinter. It is best to visit a doctor in such circumstances so that the boil and the foreign object are both removed and the skin treated for the infection.
At home, one can try and remove a splinter using tweezers. The tweezers used must be sufficiently small so that they could be used accurately to access the offending piece and remove it from the skin. This should only be done if the splinter is visible on the skin’s surface. It may be helpful to use a magnifying glass so that the skin is visible more clearly. It is almost impossible to remove a splinter on one’s own hand. In this case, the assistance of someone around is required.
Once a splinter has been removed, it is wise to wash the area where it was present with soap and water. The wound spot may also be wiped with an antiseptic fluid of some sort. This would help to clean it and will ensure that it does not catch any unwanted infection. If the splinter site starts bleeding then it is best to cover it with a bandage of some sort after cleaning and medicating the wound. One must visit one’s doctor if bleeding occurs with the splinter still in place.
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