Removing splinters from uncooperative child

[FortunataTagnips]

Help! DD(10), who is autistic and has a learning disability, has two ruddy great splinters in her foot from some decking. We’ve tried all the obvious coaxing and pleading but she won’t let us anywhere near them.
They’re very close to the surface and it would probably only be a minute’s work to tweak them out, if only she’d let me.
Does anyone know of a non-invasive way of dealing with splinters? I’m so worried about infection.

Wait until she's asleep? That's what I used to do when we had awful decking and an uncooperative toddler.

Are they causing her pain or making it uncomfortable to walk? If not I'd just leave them to work themselves out or for her body to break them down. Not worth traumatising her over it unless they are causing her problems.

My mum used to do it when I was asleep. That said, one of my most enduring childhood memories is waking up to the pain of her ripping out a giant splinter that I told her I absolutely did not want her to take out. So maybe that isn’t what you want to hear!

If they are close to the surface, I’d be inclined to offer lots of warm soaking baths and let them work themselves out.

Pin her down

She’s limping - avoiding putting weight on the foot.
They’re so close to the surface I’m desperately hoping they work their way out.
Gruesome pic attached…

Jesus you need to get another adult and pin her down!! How on earth are you okay letting her walk around like that?! Your poor daughter

Sit her feet in a bowl of warm soapy water for 30 minutes or so, they should be relatively easy to get out.

I’m not ok at all. But she’s very strong and very determined and it would be deeply traumatic for her (and us) to pin her down, so I’d rather avoid it if at all possible.

It'll be more traumatic for her to get sepsis.

I would try a footbath to soften the skin, then make a paste with baking soda or baking powder and apply it, cover and leave it for 24hr.

If that still does not work, I would try bribery. I hate pinning down a child but that is a last resort as it can cause a serious infection.

Well, that’s exactly my concern, @NeedSomeAnswersPlease, and the reason I’m asking for suggestions for how to get them out.

And you've been told you need to pin her down. It'll only take thirty seconds

Would bribery work? Favourite thing on tv and snack if she allows one to hold her leg and the other sort her foot. Could you get hold of some emla?

What's worse?
30 seconds of discomfort in pinning her and just getting them out or the potential of it going deeper, getting infected, doctors visits, blood tests, potential having to have a doctor cut it out...etc.

Distraction with the TV, lots of sweets and choc then get the needles and tweezers in.

@pinkfleece I’ve tried bribery but no dice. She says yes and then whips her foot away at the last second.

Put a hydrocolloid blister plaster over them. It will draw them out painlessly. I use the for splinters regularly.

Yeah, I would be going down the bribery route and pinning as a last resort. Those must be so painful! Poor DD!

How long do you leave the plasters on, @CoffeandTiaMaria ?

How would the experience of being restrained and forced improve things? Honestly, that is not a sensible suggestion.

I would be saying it’s mummy and the tweezers or A&E for the nurse to do it. They look red and a bit infected to me, so you need to get them out.

DD1 used to do this when we had to cut her nails. Ended up with DH holding her legs in place whilst I did it. I can reassure you that she is fine now and not traumatised in spite of the screaming. I’m sure the neighbours thought we were murdering her.

@bergamotorange better than getting sepsis? In the time itll take to apply the plaster you could get them out. I can't believe anyone can look at that picture and say "oh yes offer her a treat or a plaster"!!!!

I would start with a warm salt bath today, and then see if you can get them out when she is asleep.

If no good you will have to get more serious but it is worth trying quietly first.

You need to sort the decking out or make her wear shoes going forwards.

She’s about to have her bath. I’ll have another go after that, and then if that fails, another try once she’s asleep.