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Foreign object in the skin: First aid

A foreign object in the skin might be anything from a tiny wood splinter to a large, jagged piece of glass. Serious wounds can be deep and dangerous with severe bleeding and a risk of infection.

Seek prompt medical help for a foreign object that is very painful or is deeply embedded in the skin or muscle. Follow these precautions and steps first:

You can usually safely remove a small foreign object that’s just under the surface of the skin. Examples of such an object are a wood splinter, thorn, and fragment of fiberglass. Follow these first-aid steps:

In addition, seek medical help if:

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