Dealing with Splinters and Fish Hooks and Infected Wounds

Large objects embedded in a wound, or foreign objects near to a vulnerable site such as the eye, need special care and medical treatment. Smaller debris, such as shards of glass or splinters of wood, stuck into minor wounds can usually be successfully managed at home without further treatment.

REMOVING SPLINTERS

1. If the splinter is fully embedded in the skin, clean the wound, cover gently, and seek medical attention. If part of the splinter is out of the skin, you may try to remove it with tweezers.
2. Pass the tweezers over a flame to clean them and reduce the risk of infection.
3. Use the tweezers to grasp the end of the object and to gently pull it out at the same angle that went in. If the splinter breaks off in the wound or is not easy to remove, treat it as you would a larger foreign body.
4. Once removed, squeeze the wound to express a small amount of blood, clean the site with soap and water, and gently cover with a plaster or dressing as appropriate.
5. Splinters can carry infection into the body so check the site for any signs of infection over the coming days. Tetanus is a particular risk, especially if the splinter was obtained while gardening, so check the date of the person's last tetanus immunization and seek a booster if necessary.

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FISH HOOKS. While the injuries associated with an embedded fish hook may be relatively minor, they are particularly difficult to remove because of their barbed ends. Only try to remove one if medical help is not readily available, for example, if you are on a boat.

WHEN MEDICAL HELP IS EASY TO ACCESS

1. Cut the line as close to the hook as possible to prevent it catching on something and causing further damage.
2. Pad around the hook until you can bandage over or around it without pushing it further in.
3. Seek medical help to ensure there is no underlying damage to the tissues.

WHEN MEDICAL HELP MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO ARRIVE

If you can see the barb:

1. Cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
2. Cut the barb away and carefully remove the hook by its eye.
3. Clean and cover the wound and elevate if it is on a limb.
4. Check the wound for signs of infection over the coming days and check that the person's tetanus booster is up-to-date.

If you cannot see the barb:

1. If you are able, push the hook quickly and firmly forward through the skin until the barb can be seen.
2. Cut the barb away and then treat as outlined above.

If the barb cannot be easily removed, do not attempt to remove the hook-- instead, treat as for a larger embedded object.

TREATING A LARGER EMBEDDED OBJECT

• Do not attempt to remove the object.
• Apply pressure to the wound by padding around the base of the object over the top of sterile gauze or a piece of clean material.
• Bandage over the padding to apply pressure without moving the object.
• If the object is embedded in an arm or leg, elevation may help to reduce bleeding and pain.
• Seek medical help.

If the object is very long, provide additional support at its base to prevent it from moving.

INFECTED WOUNDS

Any injury that pierce the skin can become infected. Infection is caused by germs entering the body, either through the object causing the injury (for example, a dirty knife) or from sources after the injury occurred. Cuts, burns, bites, stings, and open fractures all carry with them a risk of infection.

PREVENTING INFECTION. There are a number of things that you can do to reduce the risk of infection.

• When time permits (for example, for non-life-threatening, less serious injuries), wash your hands thoroughly before treating an open wound.
• Wear gloves if available.
• Try to reduce direct contact with the open wound-- for example, ask the injured person to apply pressure with her own hand if possible.
• Cover injuries as soon as practicable.
• Do not cough over injuries-- turn away and cover your mouth. Advise the injured person to check that her tetanus immunization is up-to-date.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly under running water before treating an open wound if you have time to do so. This will reduce the risk of transmitting germs into the wound.
2. A disposable rubber glove is an ideal barrier method to prevent contamination of a wound. Keep a pair in the top of your first aid kit to reduce direct contact with the wound.
3. Ask the person who has been injured to apply pressure with her own hand if possible to reduce direct contact with an open wound and lessen the risk of infection.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION

If the following signs and symptoms develop after an open wounds is inflicted, the injured person should seek immediate medical attention:

• Increased pain
• Swelling
• Redness around the site of the wound
• Discharge from the site
• Unpleasant smell from the site of the wound
• Red tracks from the site to the heart
• Swollen glands
• Failure to heal

TREATING AN INFECTED WOUND

1. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and bandage into place.
2. Raise the injured part if possible, to reduce swelling and pain.
3. Seek early medical advice. Treat for shock if necessary.

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Written by Unknown

Frederick Luneta is a 24-year old guy and he is a Computer Engineering student and a young part time blogger. Currently lives in the Philippines. He knows a lot about computer.