To take my son to GP? Splinters

[Fabiagracefawndorn]

My 3 y.o. son had unfortunate landing on a fence today resulting in dozens of tiny splinters stuck in his palm, I tried vinegar but I can't get them out. I have counted more than 30, some are barely visible to naked eye, but still deep though

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

Definitely GP practice nurse will sort that.go to surgery ask for emergency appt
Ouch, looks sore. Hope it resolve quickly

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

Pressed too soon, stop with the vinegar

[Minimonkeysmum]

Try a drawing ointment (like magnesium sulphate or a bicarbonate of soda paste) to draw them out - it does work, but may take a few days. A nurse might be able to help (rather than gp).

[HippyChickMama]

Ex A&E nurse here. You need magnesium paste, you can get it from the chemist. That will bring them out. If it doesn't work then go to minor injuries but having them dug out will be more painful.

[Imnotaslimjim]

Soak his hand in warm salted water and see if any come up. If not magnesium sulphate paste with a dressing over will help. As PP said, practice nurse can get them if home remedies don't help

[Canshopwillshop]

Oh poor thing. I think I’d go with hippychicks advice.

[doodlejump1980]

The suction of an empty calpol syringe may help some of the stuck ones too.

[SpaceDinosaur]

Poor baby. That looks nasty.

Mag sulph paste. Give it a REALLY good stir before plastering it on and dress it.

[Fabiagracefawndorn]

Thank you so much for the advice! I will definitely get the magnesium paste and try it first.

[GoatYoga]

I agree to use mag sulph paste - what were you expecting vinegar to do?

[Scrumptiousbears]

My daughter got splinters from decking last year. The magnesium stuff was rubbish. A soak in the bath did so much more after a day or so they all came out.

[Fabiagracefawndorn]

I have read that vinegar should help get the tips of the splinters to the surface of the skin

[YouCantStopTheSignal]

Put him in a warm bath and let him play for a bit, try some games that'll encourage him to keep his hands submerged (e.g., submarines, sinking toys, etc). A soak in warm water is excellent at drawing out splinters.

[Fabiagracefawndorn]

I was calling 111 before posting here, now received a call back. They want us in A&E today (firstly booked for GP out of hours, but they do not have equipment)...

My husband is working till 10:30. I have explained everything to the person I've been talking to, but they still advise to go to A&E today... I'm a bit

[Fabiagracefawndorn]

Is it sensible decision to go there after 22:30?

[FoxesSitOnBoxes]

How is he? I wouldn’t bother with A&E if he’s OK with it

[Quartz2208]

I suspect they are worried about the potential for infection risk if they stay in

If that is the advice I think you have to follow it

[Fabiagracefawndorn]

Have been to A&E, as have been advised. Doctor and nurses had a bit of disagreement of what to do with the splinters, but finally they have decided to apply magnesium sulfate and wait for couple of days. If that won't help GP nurse will pull those out. Ouch... Hope the cream will help.

Thank you so much for the replies!
Thank you HippyChickMama!

[BedtimeTea]

Aw, poor boo. I realize it isn't the same, but duct tape got stinging nettles out of my hand. Good luck.

[CSIblonde]

In the olden days, we soaked in warm water then dipped thinnest needle u have in savlon diluted in water & take it just under hole in skin to ease one end out. Then take tweezers dipped in same solution & pull on the poking out end. Painless.

[CSIblonde]

Dettol not savlon.

[BedtimeTea]

This link mentions a few ways to try, they say cellotape, not duct tape, which makes sense considering a childs delicate skin..
www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/childhood-injuries/splinters-in-children.aspx

[HippyChickMama]

@Fabiagracefawndorn you're welcome. Hope they're out soon

[SluttyButty]

I had to take one of mine in with an identical hand full of splinters. The Gp saw us and then got the practice nurse to patiently remember everything them. I'll warn you though, child will scream like there's no tomorrow.

[onanothertrain]

Soak in hot water always works for me