To ask if the GP can help?

[dinoand]

My toddler has a splinter which I can't get out. He's really upset if I even try to look at it now.

Can the gp help?

Do you have a minor injuries unit? They’ll be more experienced and have all the bits they need (like cold spray if needed)
if not your gp/practice nurse may help depends how busy they are…it is Monday though which does tend to be busier.
if neither of the above get some magnesium sulphate from a pharmacy and it will help draw it out.

Obvs if it get red hot oozy or swollen get it seen for infection

I wound call my GP surgery and ask for an appointment with the border for this.

The NURSE!!

I've just called. They don't have the equipment and told me A&E 😭

Use some paste to help draw it out, can't remember what it's called (pharmacy will know) but you pop it on, pop a plaster over the top and it draws it to the top so when you remove the plaster it also comes out. I'd try that first, unless it looks swollen or they are super distressed waiting hours in A&E is ridiculous.

Oh that’s annoying. Will they let you soak it in warm water?

He won't even let me look at it anymore. I ask to see and he puts his hand behind his back and says "please no mummy" 😭😭😭

Usually a nurse at your surgery, or fins a local minor injuries unit.

It’s magnesium sulphate paste. Worth a try before committing to hours in a&e if it’s not infected already?

This is what it looks like

That's the one! Its amazing stuff.

Op if he won't let you look it I expect it won't be a fun morning for you at hospital. Magic paste and a plaster though (maybe some bubbles or buttons bribery).

Will he let you soak it in a bowl of warm salty water?

I would be working on bribing him somehow to let you do it yourself rather than taking him to A+E. Explain to him that if he doesn't let you do it you'll have to spend all day in the hospital and then a doctor will just do the same thing.

I suggest using a sterilised needle and that should come out easily. Just put the needle in a flame (gas ring or match/lighter).

magnesium sulphate paste is fab. Put it on. Plaster over the top and it draws it out

That's absolutely crazy. That's basic stuff for the nurse!

I hope you manage to get it seen at A&E, it does look awfully red.

If it's all got a bit worked up and stressful try and just forget about it for a bit. The splinter appears superficial and nothing significant is going to change over several hours. Give some paracetamol, do something fun, then revisit ir - might be fed up with it by then and be more appreciative of efforts to remove it. Or even just wait till asleep tonight and pinch it out with tweezers, it looks quite grabbable.

You can also numb the area with an ice cube - "I'm not trying to take it out let's use this ice lolly to take the pain away" which it will do - when it's numb he then might be more likely to allow you to tease it out.

A&E whilst will obviously be able to get it out, I've worked in one and essentially you try normal measures just as any parent would do, which sometimes works. If not depending on size/location/factors either tell the parents not to worry about it it will come out in time over a few days just seek reassessment signs infection, or physical restraint/pin the child down and just remove it by force, lots of screaming and emotional damage for all involved.

A minor injury unit would definitely have the equipment and staff qualification to deal with a splinter! They'll have declined for other reasons.

It will work its own way out in a few days' time.

Work on ways to soothe your child and distract. You don't need A&E.

(Unless it becomes very swollen/ hot, obviously... but if it's not infected, his body will just deal with it and it will come out on its own)

Thanks all. We have been to see the pharmacist who said they could get it out but "aren't allowed".

We've left with numbing cream, magnesium sulfate and some very exciting superhero plasters!