This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
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Ouch! Stepping on a piece of glass can be both scary and painful, but there’s no need to panic. While it might sting a little bit, glass pieces and splinters are easy to remove as long as you have tweezers and a sewing needle on hand. We’re here to walk you through all your frequently asked questions, so you can patch up your foot quickly and safely.
Steps
How do I remove a chunk of glass?
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1
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2Pull out the glass with tweezers. Clean off a set of tweezers with rubbing alcohol. Then, carefully pinch the glass with the tweezers, removing it from your skin. If the piece of glass is really small, view it through a magnifying glass as you remove it with the tweezers.[3]
How do you remove a glass splinter under the skin?
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1Lightly pierce the skin with a clean sewing needle. Wipe down the needle with rubbing alcohol and figure out exactly where the splinter is. Then, gently prick the skin on top of the splinter. Use the needle to lift up 1 side of the splinter, so it’s easier to remove.[4]
- If one end of the splinter is already sticking out, you may not need to pierce your skin. Just grab the end with your tweezers and carefully pull it out.
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2Remove the splinter with a clean pair of tweezers. Wipe down your tweezers with rubbing alcohol and pinch the raised tip of the glass splinter. Then, carefully lift and remove the splinter from your foot.[5]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionDoes this also work with fingers too?
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MSLuba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
Board-Certified Family Nurse PractitionerYes. You can apply the above recommendations for removing glass out of your foot to removing glass out of your fingers or hands. -
QuestionI'm a 58-year-old diabetic. Is it safe for me to remove it at home myself?Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MSLuba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
Board-Certified Family Nurse PractitionerIt might be perfectly ok to use the above recommendations as first aid if your injury is minor and you have good blood sugar control. A few important things for you to remember: 1) clean your hands and the area really well before attempting the glass removal, 2) remove the glass completely, 3) clean off and dry the area of the cut after glass removal, 4) apply an antibiotic ointment over the area, 5) apply a bandage or a band-aid, 6) and watch the area for healing or signs of infection in the next 1-2 days. If you notice worsening of pain, swelling, pus, or redness in the area, you will need to go for a follow up with your healthcare provider. To improve chances of a quick recovery, stick to a high quality diet of lean protein and low-glycemic foods, as elevated blood sugar impairs wound healing.
References
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/basics/art-20056604
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/basics/art-20056604
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/basics/art-20056604
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/basics/art-20056604
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-remove-a-splinter-and-when-to-call-the-doctor/
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/Splinters-and-Other-Foreign-Bodies-in-the-Skin.aspx
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/basics/art-20056604
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/Splinters-and-Other-Foreign-Bodies-in-the-Skin.aspx
About This Article
Before you can get glass out of your foot, you'll need to gently force it to the surface by soaking your foot for 20 to 30 minutes in warm water and epsom salts. Alternatively, you could try taping a cotton ball soaked in castor oil over the area, and leave it to soak for as long as you can. When you're ready to extract the glass, disinfect both your foot and tweezers with a cotton ball soaked in an antiseptic, like alcohol. Using the tweezers, gently tug the glass to remove it, then bandage the area. If you're having trouble removing the glass, don't insert the tweezers into your foot, or you could cause further damage. Instead, have a doctor remove the glass professionally. For more advice, including how to use glue to get glass out of your foot, keep reading!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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