A splinter, a small piece of foreign material like wood, metal, glass, or plastic, can become embedded in the skin. While many can be removed easily at home, leaving one in the skin can lead to various issues.
The Body’s Initial Response
When a splinter enters the skin, the body recognizes it as a foreign invader, initiating a protective response. The area may experience localized pain and tenderness as nerve endings are irritated, with minor redness and slight swelling developing around the entry site.
This initial reaction is the body’s natural inflammatory process, designed to isolate or expel the foreign material. Immune cells rush to the site, attempting to wall off the splinter to prevent it from moving deeper or causing further damage. This response is a normal protective mechanism and does not necessarily indicate an infection.
Identifying Signs of Infection
If a splinter remains in the skin, especially if it carries bacteria, the body’s initial inflammatory response can escalate into an infection. Increasing redness around the splinter site that spreads beyond the immediate area indicates infection. The skin may also feel noticeably warmer to the touch.
Swelling around the embedded splinter often worsens, becoming more pronounced and firm. A throbbing sensation or persistent pain at the site, which intensifies over time, can signal an infection. Pus, appearing as a white or yellow discharge, is a direct sign of bacterial activity and the body’s attempt to fight it off.
In more advanced cases, red streaks might extend from the wound, indicating the infection is spreading through the lymphatic system. A fever can also develop, signaling a widespread systemic response, suggesting the body is struggling to contain the bacterial invasion.
Potential Serious Complications
Leaving an infected splinter untreated can lead to more severe and less common complications. An abscess, a localized collection of pus within the body’s tissues, is one outcome. This can be painful and may require medical intervention for drainage.
Another potential complication is a granuloma, a small area of inflammation that forms when the immune system attempts to wall off foreign substances it cannot eliminate. Granulomas can persist for a long time and sometimes require removal. Cellulitis, a spreading bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues beneath it, can also develop from an untreated splinter infection. This condition causes the affected skin to become red, swollen, and painful, spreading rapidly if not treated with antibiotics.
A serious risk, though uncommon, is tetanus if the splinter is contaminated with Clostridium tetani bacteria, typically found in soil or animal feces. This bacterium produces toxins that affect the nervous system, leading to muscle spasms and lockjaw. While splinters from rusty objects are often associated with tetanus, the rust itself does not cause the infection; rusty items are often found in environments where Clostridium tetani thrives.
When to Seek Professional Help
Seek professional medical attention if you cannot fully remove a splinter, especially if it is deeply embedded or large. Any infection signs detailed earlier, such as increasing redness, warmth, worsening swelling, throbbing pain, or pus, warrant a doctor’s visit. A healthcare provider can assess the wound and prescribe appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotics.
Splinters located in sensitive or difficult-to-reach areas, such as under a fingernail or toenail, near the eye, or in the face, should also be evaluated by a medical professional. If there is uncontrollable bleeding from the splinter site or any signs of severe complications, like spreading red streaks or fever, appear, immediate medical care is necessary. If the splinter was contaminated with soil or rust, and your tetanus vaccination status is unknown or outdated, consulting a doctor is important to assess the need for a tetanus booster.