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Children's health

tiny splinters in foot - what to do?

11 replies

GoingPostal · 27/05/2010 18:18

ds has a few tiny splinters in his foot from playing barefoot on some wooden climbing frames. 2 are not bothering him but one now has a tiny infected spot on top.

They are too small for tweezers and he just can't / won't sit still for me to get hold of his foot and push them out. Have just had to hold him down screaming to try and see what's going on with the infected bit.

what do I do? do I ignore them or do they really need to be extracted somehow?

It really is impossible to hold him still long enough. He is just 3yo so not much reasoning with him on this one.

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mrspir8 · 27/05/2010 20:00

Great big generous handfuls of salt in his bath and dab on some lavender oil

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GoingPostal · 27/05/2010 20:22

thanks mrspir8 - just normal table salt?

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Sunchi · 27/05/2010 20:25

Use castor oil. It will draw out the splinters no problem. Just make sure he wears socks after applying the oil as it will stain.

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stripeyknickersspottysocks · 27/05/2010 20:25

Castor oil and then a plaster on top overnight.

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SparkleRainbow · 27/05/2010 20:57

Have tried soaking in warm water (bath is best), and also putting bonjella teething gel on to deaden sensation in the area, that worked with mine dc.Plaster seems like a good idae if can get the skin damp underneath it. Wouldn't worry about the uninfected ones though, will grow out quickly and come out in the bath one night.

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thelittlebluepills · 27/05/2010 21:50

hoover his feet?

i once got lots of fibre glass splinters in my legs from a canoe - the hoover worked wonders

or wait til he is asleep and go in armed with headtorch and tweezers

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NumptyMum · 27/05/2010 21:56

I think plaster has worked for me in the past - if it's the sort that makes your skin a bit sweaty (ie waterproof, I guess). I think the skin softens and opens up, allowing splinter to come out. Perhaps put germoline on to calm the infection before putting plaster over?

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bubbleymummy · 27/05/2010 22:02

Epsom salts/ magnesium sulphate in the bath/ a basin and soak his feet. Draws everything out incl any infection.

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mrspir8 · 27/05/2010 22:46

Sea salt is best but table will do if dont have any.

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 27/05/2010 22:49

can you put some magnesium sulphate paste on it with a plaster over the top over night?

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GoingPostal · 28/05/2010 08:31

loads of ideas, thanks so much!

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