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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To take my son to GP? Splinters

73 replies

Fabiagracefawndorn · 08/08/2018 18:59

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

To take my son to GP? Splinters
OP posts:
LipstickHandbagCoffee · 08/08/2018 19:03

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

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 08/08/2018 19:04

Pressed too soon, stop with the vinegar

Minimonkeysmum · 08/08/2018 19:05

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 · 08/08/2018 19:07

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 · 08/08/2018 19:10

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 · 08/08/2018 19:16

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

doodlejump1980 · 08/08/2018 19:16

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

SpaceDinosaur · 08/08/2018 19:18

Poor baby. That looks nasty.

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

Fabiagracefawndorn · 08/08/2018 19:20

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

OP posts:
GoatYoga · 08/08/2018 19:21

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

Scrumptiousbears · 08/08/2018 19:22

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 · 08/08/2018 19:23

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

OP posts:
YouCantStopTheSignal · 08/08/2018 19:40

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 · 08/08/2018 20:24

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 HmmConfused

OP posts:
Fabiagracefawndorn · 08/08/2018 20:38

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

OP posts:
FoxesSitOnBoxes · 08/08/2018 20:41

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

Quartz2208 · 08/08/2018 20:45

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 · 09/08/2018 01:07

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!

OP posts:
BedtimeTea · 09/08/2018 01:36

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

CSIblonde · 09/08/2018 04:26

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 · 09/08/2018 04:27

Dettol not savlon.

BedtimeTea · 09/08/2018 05:55

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 · 09/08/2018 09:10

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

SluttyButty · 09/08/2018 09:22

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 · 09/08/2018 09:28

Soak in hot water always works for me