Scratch on arm

[Summer257]

On Thursday evening I did some gardening and scratched my arm. On Friday morning I noticed a tiny black speck. I rang the doctor and sent a photo which she said wasn’t clear and said try and get it out yourself first. I rang them as I was really anxious about infection.

I used a magnifying glass and I don’t know if it’s a scratch or something in there it’s so fine. The doctor stressed me out and said about tetanus jabs. I went to 2 pharmacists which they both said use Savlon and if it gets red and seeps go to the doctor. One recommended magnesium sulphate to extract any splinters if that’s what it is - wish I knew this first.

Should I be ok as I am getting bad anxiety over this.

Mag sulphate should draw a spelk out. Can you not take it out with a sterilised pin or needle? I'm forever digging them out after gardening.

Can you put a picture up op, that might help people advise you better.

If the doctor said to get a tetanus jab why don't you do that?

It’s a scab healing, not pus.

Are you up to date with tetanus jabs ? I'd whack a load of Savlon on it and cover it and see if it comes out,failing that I'd use a sterilised needle. No reason to be anxious OP,just do what the GP advised .

I wouldnt go poking around with a needle. You might introduce more infection. Cover it with a big blob of magnesium sulphate paste and gauze pad. Leave for 24 hours. Repeat if necessary. If there is a thorn in there that will draw it out. If you do gardening a lot or keep animals its worth having your tetanus booster up to date anyway.

Sorry yes now I've seen it I wouldn't stick a needle in it, add savlon and cover and keep an eye on it.

Thank you all for the reassurance. I will use Savlon and avoid using needles as it will make it worse.

It's advised not to use either magnesium sulphate or savlon on broken skin. That skin is broken. OP - most splinters come out in time anyway, but if you are anxious I would go to your local pharmacist and follow their advice. I do agree about the tetanus jab though - everyone should stay up to date.

Edited to say - didn't notice that pharmacist said use those on broken skin - did you speak to the actual pharmacist or to an assistant?

It is common sense to get a tetanus booster if you do gardening regularly. Mine is always kept up-to-date for exactly this reason.

By the way, that looks like a small splinter, probably the tip of a thorn that broke off. It will make its own way out in due course.

I have rang 111 as I spoke to the doctors last Friday by phone an no in person slots and I spoke to 111 on Monday. They have said someone will call back within 3 hours and if not go to A&E. I feel so stressed now. It’s still red with tiny fragment in there. I am really annoyed as I have been trying to get in the doctors but there is never any appointments. If I go A&E that means I will be there all night.