Splinter under nail

[sherrardk]

I have got a splinter or something stuck under my finger nail - anyone got any ideas on how I can get it out? Thanks

[ummmm]

How far under has it gone?

[Maydup]

Ouch! Tweezers?

[daffy654]

You'll probably have to leave it to works it's own way out unless there is anything visible to grab with a pair of tweezers.

[sherrardk]

It's been there a couple of days now and it is starting to hurt a bit. I can see it through my nail but can't see a bit to get at with tweezers.

[ummmm]

I don't think there is much you can do. I've had a splinter (or glass) in my foot for over a month now...

[rsvp]

a paste of magnesium suphate left on for 24 hours should help to 'draw' it out - also any sort of hot poultice will help - I've used a veterinery one before now (called animalintex) failing that, apply an ice cube to the area and dig away - can sympathise, I'm always getting them.

[penelope2]

Agree with rsvp, mag sulph is the answer, bit messy but will do the trick.

[AlBags]

(unless it infects the whole finger!)

If you can bear it .. cut nail down as far as poss .. look under magnifier for the end .. and yank out straight ... without getting whoosy : )

[ladyalex]

Try a bread poultice.

This tells you how.
http://www.ehow.com/h...e-bread-poultice.html
It says to use mouldy bread, but I've found any bread does the job.
It doesn't hurt and it usually works.
Alternatively, soak your finger in water as hot as you can bear it. Keep changing the water for hotter as it cools down . This should help ease it out too.
Good luck, I do feel for you .

[patricia53]

Mustard draws things out but don't suck your thumb!!!

[Sqad]

Go to A&E....2days and hurting is not good. A simple local anaesthetic and it can be cut out.

[AlBags]

The jab is great .. that's why I recommended manual removal technique Sqad :)
You better now then? Connected up still?

[Sqad]

AlBags...totally disconnected now, but awaiting the medical geniuses to tell me which painful procedure that think would benefit my situation......big saybia tomorrow.

[AlBags]

OK mate .. GL with it all then : )

No take-aways BTW! ; )
(nurses)

[ladyalex]

Saybia???
They're letting a Norwegian Rock group operate on you tomorrow?
For heaven's sake, sqad, get yourself back to UK and the relative safety of the NHS.

[AlBags]

'relative' being the 'operative' word : )

[Buenchico]

When (as a teenager) I got a splinter stuck under my thumbnail, my GP carefully cut the nail back with a scalpel, before removing it with tweezers.

[sherrardk]

Thanks for all your advice (even if some of it has made me feel a big queasy).

[DTCwordfan]

a tad of mustard under a plaster/band aid and it can draw out..so they say........worked on a garden thorn in the finger.