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Ouch! Stepping on a broken glass shard can be both scary and painful, but don't panic. While it may hurt a little, glass fragments are usually easy to remove with tweezers and a sewing needle. Here, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions to guide you through safely and quickly handling the situation.
Steps
How do you remove a glass shard?
Clean around the wound with soap and water. Before tending to the injury, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to avoid transferring germs or dirt into the wound. Then, soak a cloth or tissue in warm soapy water and gently clean around the injured area.
How to remove a glass splinter lodged under the skin?
Gently use a clean sewing needle to puncture the skin. Clean the needle with rubbing alcohol and locate the exact position of the splinter. Then, gently insert the needle into the skin above the splinter. Use the needle to lift one end of the splinter for easier removal.
- If one end of the splinter is already sticking out, you may not need to pierce the skin. Simply use tweezers to grasp the exposed end and carefully pull it out.
Can soaking the foot help remove the splinter?
Yes, but it won't replace the needle and tweezers. Some experts recommend soaking the foot in warm water for a few minutes before attempting to remove the glass splinter. This softens the skin, making the splinter easier to remove. However, you'll still need the needle and tweezers to extract it.
What should be done after the splinter has been removed?
Bandage the wound and apply antibiotic ointment. Once you’ve removed all the glass, wash the wound again with warm soapy water. Then, gently apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment like Polysporin around the injury. Discard any glass shards or splinters after removal.
- For safety, you should bandage any remaining cuts or wounds.
Should I seek medical help?
Yes, if the wound is serious. Small splinters and shards are one thing, but you should not attempt to handle severe injuries on your own. If the glass is embedded deep under the skin, call emergency services or go to the emergency room immediately.
- Before help arrives, cover the wound with gauze, place a pad around the shard, and carefully wrap a clean bandage or cloth around the injury.
Can I leave the glass shard in my foot?
Yes, if the glass is very small and not causing pain. If the glass isn’t deeply embedded in the skin, it will eventually fall out as the skin naturally sheds. You might also notice a small bump at the location of the former shard – this is entirely normal and is just the body's reaction to expel the foreign object.
Can baking soda be used to remove a glass shard?
It might, but there’s little evidence to support this. This method is mostly promoted on blogs, forums, and DIY tip websites. Unfortunately, there’s no official medical source or expert backing it.
- Similarly, there is no reliable medical evidence showing that soaking in vinegar or Epsom salt is effective.
