Who hasn’t stuck a splinter in their finger or the palm of their hand? These small, very sharp fragments of wood, plant thorns, shards of glass, or the like, that we sometimes see through the skin, but that we cannot catch, are quite painful, especially when it is sore. ‘infected. To remove them, without leaving half of them planted under the skin or in the flesh, it is recommended to use a splinter forceps.

A splinter forceps has the particularity of having relatively fine and pointed tips to promote careful handling and to be able to pass through the opening left by the splinter in the skin. The points are embellished with ridges on their internal face to “grip” the splinter without it being able to escape during its extraction.

Composition

The splinter forceps are made of stainless steel. They are about ten centimeters long. The most sophisticated models are equipped with a magnifying glass up to x6.

The splinter forceps are used to extract a splinter with precision and thoroughness. It is essential when you are injured with a splinter to act quickly to prevent an infection from developing. Indeed, splinters are potential vectors of transmission of microorganisms from soil, water, animals, plants, etc. In addition, by creating a gateway into the skin, they promote infection with pathogenic microorganisms that may be present on the skin.

Different types of splinters

Splinters can be classified into two groups: splinters of organic, animal or plant origin, and inorganic splinters. Here are a few examples:

• organic splinters: wood splint, plant thorn, cactus, thistle, sea urchin prick, bone or fish bone splint, etc .;
• inorganic shards: shards of glass, iron filings, needle or hook point, pencil lead, etc.

Why is it important to remove the splinter?

Being stung by a splinter is not in itself dramatic, it happens every day to gardeners or handymen who work without gloves. But it is imperative to extract it, or have it extracted quickly otherwise, in certain cases (rare, fortunately), the consequences can be serious and a source of infectious diseases:

• tetanus: it is triggered by bacteria (Clostridium tétani) naturally present in the soil;
• whitlow: some are due to the development of Staphylococcus aureus;
• septic arthritis: it develops in a joint affected by a splinter;
• granulomas: these are caused by chronic inflammation that develops around the splinter when it has not been removed.

How to remove a splinter?

Basic hygiene and asepsis rules must be followed when preparing to extract a splinter:

• wash hands carefully, and put on disposable gloves if possible;
• disinfect the splinter forceps with alcohol;
• disinfect the area around the splinter.

With good lighting and if necessary a magnifying glass:

• clearly identify the site of entry of the splinter into the skin, as well as its angle of penetration;
• if the tip of the splinter is accessible, spread the opening with the tips of the pliers, grasp it delicately and pull gently, respecting the angle of penetration so as not to break it.

In some cases where the splinter is difficult to access:

• you can first “soften” the surrounding skin by soaking in lukewarm water containing coarse salt or by applying a cotton ball soaked in alcohol for 20 minutes;
• use a disinfected needle or scalpel to widen or cut the entry point a little for easier access.

Once the splinter is removed:

• carefully disinfect the skin at the point of extraction of the splinter;
• clean instruments with alcohol.

Precautions to follow

Most often, the splinter is removed and there will be no adverse consequences. But in some cases, the situation is more complex and requires going to the doctor or hospital:

• the splinter is deeply inserted and its access is impossible: the doctor will have to make an incision to be able to extract it (under anesthesia if necessary);
• the splinter has been partially removed and a large fragment remains at the bottom of the wound;
• the splinter is large, and it may have damaged a nerve or blood vessel;
• the splinter is located under the nail and you have to cut the nail to access it;
• the splinter is near the eye, its extraction is risky;
• the splinter is a source of very strong pain;
• a large infection has developed around the splinter (presence of pus, swelling, redness, heat, pain);
• the splinter is found in the soles of the feet of a person with diabetes;
• the injured person is immunocompromised;
• tetanus vaccination: this is a good opportunity to check if it is up to date and, if in doubt, to give a booster.

The different models

Splinter forceps are instruments belonging to medical class I, so they must have the CE mark.

The price of a splinter pliers is 3 to 8 €.

How to avoid splinters

• Wear gloves when tinkering or gardening;
• Do not walk barefoot on old parquet or outdoors;
• Protect your feet when swimming in sea water where there are sea urchins, corals, barnacles, etc.