I work in the emergency department and often spend a part of my day taking splinters out of people’s hands. These are the splinters that weren’t able to be taken out at the job site by guys that are generally good at taking out splinters. I’ve found a couple of helpful hints. First off, the right tools are essential. You get no points in a busy ER mucking up someone’s hand trying to take out a deep buried splinter. Fast with a minimal amount of pain will allow you to move you room fast and safely. I’ve found that the tools are key. If it’s particularly busy and the guy that the splinter belongs to looks like he knows what he’s doing I’ll often just give him the tools and let him have at it. Invariably most tradesmen can take out their own splinter if they have the right tools. The two most important tools are a pair of specifically designed “splinter forceps” and a really sharp blade. The forceps can be either straight, shovel nose, or off set so long as they are “splinter forceps.” The blade can be an sharp razor blade, a scalpel, or an Exacto blade. Generally utility blades just aren’t sharp enough. The technique involves a quick wipe with alcohol, “coring” around the outside of splinter to relieve the tension on the splinter (sort of like a finger trap you played with as a kid), and then a slow but steady pull with the splinter forceps. The tools are expense if you insist on surgical grade which is not necessary. You can purchase the right tools for a reasonable amount of money over the Internet from some of the surgical supply houses. The link follows below. Hope I don’t see any of you folks in the ER anytime soon.
Ben
http://www.aristasurgical.com
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So far (knock on wood), these have always managed to dig the offender out. Nearly needle sharp points and the magnifying glass really helps.
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$6.50 plus s/h.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=10435&cat=1,43456,43464
jt8
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
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For me it's not just splinters. I've been working with metal doing a metal roof and they are real small but painful when you grab something. I can't even see them with glasses.
The other thing is splits in the ends of my thumbs and opposing fingers. These two digits get the most abuse and when they split it is a long time to get them closed up.
I don't know if there really is a solution. Just part of working with your hands.
Are you talking about fleshhooks?
I'm not sure. My thumbs split right at the corner of my thumbnail. I probably have about 5 pieces of metal in my fingers. I'd have to soak them and dig after them with magnification. I just leave them in.
I see a lot of tradesmen in the ED, their hands get pretty beat up, and we trade suggestions back and forth. Before the tip of the finger starts to split, that is before you start working, try to put some Super Glue on the tips of your fingers. Rock climbers have been using it for years. The guys that have tried it have been sort of divided, (I won't use the word "split) on the results. Some really like it because their fingers don't split at the ends, other's don't like the feel of Super Glue on their fingers. They claim it sort of interferes with their " touch." Anyway, just pick up some Super Glue and put it on the tips of your fingers before you start to work and see if it helps.
Ben
I find if I let it get infected enough, the splinter fights to get out on its own. Real men don't go to the er unless they're dating a nurse.;)
Bing
I've been using these for the last 15 years. They work great on wood and metal.
The precision of the point is exceptional for both digging and grabbing. The hole in the keeper part lets you put it on a keychain. Always there when you need it!...buic
From Lee Valley, "Uncle Bills' Sliver Grippers"
Sliver Gripper" Tweezers
Some products are hard to describe because they are so good that an accurate description sounds like a carnival snake-oil pitch. This is such a product.
These stainless-steel tweezers are unequalled for removing slivers. They are accurately ground to a fine point with a light cross-score on the inside to grip the sliver. The holes in either side make for a secure finger grip since the fleshy part of your finger naturally beds in the hole as you squeeze.
Not only do they avoid a lot of rooting around with needles in increasingly painful excavations, but they are a superb finishing tool as well; you can pluck errant brush hairs or bits of dirt off a piece of work without disturbing the surrounding finish. Every household should have a pair.
3/8" wide hardened stainless steel. Made in USA.
$7.95
Edited 3/20/2008 9:08 pm ET by BUIC
rben, let me get this straight.
They come to the ER and you give them the tools and let them poke around by themselves.
Then off they go.
Are they billed?
What if infection sets in, you liable?
Just curious.
thanks.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Cool link, thanks. Is the "liberator" what does the coring you were talking about?