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Invisible splinter?

10 replies

ElusiveSunshine · 22/09/2026 18:20

I really don’t want to bother my GP about this, but not quite sure what to do. I have been hoping it would resolve itself but no luck! I’m having problems with sharp pain in my left foot since a small garden injury in early August. It doesn’t seem to be getting better on its own and started throbbing after a short walk today. It feels like when you have a splinter and press on it it is sharp pain and v localised to where the splinter is. Could there be, for want of a better word, an invisible splinter imbedded in my foot?

Thought I would post this and see what advice comes back, whether I should just leave it alone and try and ignore the pain, or book to see GP(?), Pharmacist(?), minor injuries(?)..

During the summer I had to dash out quickly into the garden for something and was distracted by my DC and went out barefoot (normally put on sandals as the lawn was so dead and spiky, but not this time). Kicking myself for forgetting as something sharp spiked my foot. It was when everything was all sun baked and dead and brown outdoors from the heatwaves.

If I roll my foot outwards even slightly when standing or walking it hurts sharply and feels quite deep. Wincing pain, but only over the exact spot (an inch or so below little toe, on outer edge of the sole).

I don’t want to waste the Dr’s time!

But the pain seems to feel deeper than it did originally and still sharply painful when pressure is applied over the spot. It wasn’t throbbing before but started doing that today.

Me and DH have tried a couple of times to see if there’s a splinter but we can’t see anything. Including after a bath when the skin was softer.

Have tried and tried to spot a splinter but no success. I forget about it and get on with my day and then I step in a particular way and is so ow! Is getting right on my nerves, feels like there’s something in there but can’t see anything!

What would you do MNetters?

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GenerationX1969 · 22/09/2026 21:33

I had this exact same thing a few weeks ago. I just couldn’t see a splinter but it was really sore.
I got magnesium sulphate and put a tiny bit on and covered it with a plaster. I did this twice a day. After about 3 applications, I soaked my foot for ages and gave the area a squeeze and noticed something sticking out. I carefully pulled it and it was a tiny splinter. But it was clear. So it was either plastic or glass. So that was why we couldn’t see it.

I hope yours comes out as easily.

ElusiveSunshine · 22/09/2026 21:23

Thanks so much,I’ll get some magnesium sulphate paste from the chemist tomorrow and give it a try! Thanks also for the other replies about seeing the dr, I’ll try the paste first and if no joy, book an appointment. Thanks for all your replies! :)

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Yamyamabroad · 22/09/2026 20:53

I had a similar thing on my finger last week. The chemist sold me some magnesium sulphate drawing paste £3.99 and I daubed that on, covered in a plaster and it had gone in 2-3 days.

Ilovemyshed · 22/09/2026 20:52

Magnesium sulphate paste from the chemist is what you need.

Supersimkin7 · 22/09/2026 20:48

It’ll work itself out, but meantime see GP if it starts looking gammy. It shouldn’t, though.

GlosGirl82 · 22/09/2026 19:32

You need to go to the GP for this

fumingrightnow1 · 22/09/2026 19:31

I think gp is fine for this its not like you're going to a&e

ElusiveSunshine · 22/09/2026 19:08

I could, do you think this is the kind of thing they could help with?

It’s so annoying you can’t see anything in the skin. Tried using an illuminated magnifier but nope! I was wondering could it be a fragment of glass or something.

It’s the kind of pain you can forget until inadvertently hitting the spot, well it was until the throbbing this afternoon, which suggests there must be something stuck in there(?)

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Twoweeksinaugust · 22/09/2026 18:39

If you have the funds can you pay to see a chiropodist?

ElusiveSunshine · 22/09/2026 18:27

Just to add the skin around the painful area is not red or anything, no sign of infection.

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