Splinter

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Splinter
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Pain, redness, swelling
Complications	Infection, abscess
Onset	Immediate
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Foreign body penetration
Risks	Wood, metal, glass
Diagnosis	Physical examination
Differential diagnosis	Insect bite, skin lesion
Prevention	Wearing protective gloves, footwear
Treatment	Removal with tweezers, needle
Medication	Antibiotics if infected
Prognosis	Good with proper removal
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Sea Urchins enjoying sunbathing

Anatomy of the Skin

Foreign Body Ultrasound

A splinter is a fragment of a larger object, or a foreign body that penetrates or is inserted into the body. Splinters can cause initial discomfort or pain, especially if they are located in sensitive areas. The body may respond to the presence of splinters with inflammation or infection.

Types of Splinters

Splinters can be composed of various materials such as:

• Wood - This is the most common type of splinter. Wood splinters can be caused by handling rough wood without proper protection.
• Metal - Metal splinters can occur in occupations involving the handling of metal materials, such as welding or metalworking.
• Glass - Glass splinters can occur when handling broken glass or in accidents involving glass.
• Plastic - Plastic splinters can occur when handling certain types of plastic materials, especially when they are broken or damaged.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a splinter include:

• Pain - This is usually the first symptom of a splinter. The pain is often sharp and increases when pressure is applied to the area.
• Redness - The area around the splinter may become red and inflamed.
• Swelling - Swelling may occur around the area of the splinter.
• Infection - If the splinter is not removed, it can lead to an infection. Signs of infection include increased pain, pus, and fever.

Treatment

Treatment for a splinter involves its removal. This can often be done at home using tweezers and a needle. However, if the splinter is deep, in a sensitive area, or if there are signs of infection, medical attention should be sought.

Prevention

Prevention of splinters primarily involves the use of protective equipment when handling materials that can cause splinters.

See Also

• First Aid
• Inflammation
• Infection

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