Foreign Body in Hand or Foot

Foreign Body in Hand or Foot

A foreign body is an object that gets into your body that should not be there. Your hands and feet are common entry points for foreign bodies. Common examples of foreign bodies include:

  • Splinters.
  • Thorns.
  • Pieces of glass, wood, metal, or plastic.
  • Metal objects such as needles, nails, and fishing hooks.

Foreign bodies that are not removed quickly may cause infection.

What are the causes?

A foreign body can get in your hand or foot through an injury, such as a scrape or cut, or if something punctures your skin.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of having recently gotten a foreign body in your hand or foot include:

  • Pain.
  • Redness.
  • Swelling.
  • Tenderness.
  • Numbness or tingling.
  • Noticing something under the skin.

If the foreign body has caused an infection, symptoms may also include:

  • Fever.
  • Warmth in the area of the puncture.
  • A lump that you can feel under the skin.
  • Not being able to use your hand or put weight (bear weight) on your foot.
  • Greenish or yellow fluid coming from the puncture area.

How is this diagnosed?

Your health care provider will diagnose a foreign body in the hand or foot by taking a medical history and examining your wound. If the foreign body is deep, you may also have tests, such as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound.

In some cases, your health care provider may need to numb the area, open it up to examine what is inside your skin, and remove the object.

How is this treated?

Your health care provider may be able to remove the foreign body while exploring your wound during the diagnosis. If the foreign body is deep or in a wound that is infected, you may need to have a procedure to remove it.

If an incision is needed, it may be closed with stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips. A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incision.

You may also need to get a tetanus shot or take antibiotic medicines to prevent or treat an infection.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take the antibiotic as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Wound care

  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound or incision. Make sure you:
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
    • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
    • Leave sutures, skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
  • Check your puncture area or incision every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • More redness, swelling, or pain.
    • More fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • Pus or a bad smell.

General instructions

  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

To protect yourself:

  • Wear gloves when working with sharp objects.
  • Do not walk barefoot in areas where there may be sharp objects.
  • Wear thick-soled shoes or boots when walking in areas where there are sharp objects.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have a foreign body that has not come out or been removed.
  • You have more redness, swelling, or pain around the puncture area or incision.
  • You have more fluid or blood coming from the puncture area or incision.
  • Your puncture area or incision feels warm to the touch.
  • You have pus or a bad smell coming from the puncture area or incision.
  • You have a fever.
  • You were given a tetanus shot, and you have swelling, severe pain, redness, or bleeding at the injection site.

Get help right away if:

  • Your puncture area becomes numb.
  • You cannot use your hand or foot.

Summary

  • A foreign body is an object that gets into your body that should not be there. Your hands and feet are common entry points for foreign bodies.
  • Your health care provider may be able to remove the foreign body while exploring your wound during the diagnosis. If the foreign body is deep or in a wound that is infected, you may need to have a procedure to remove it.
  • You may also need to get a tetanus shot or take antibiotic medicines to prevent or treat an infection.
  • Check your puncture area or incision every day for signs of infection.
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