Skin Foreign Body – Different types

Skin foreign body is an object that is stuck in the skin. Common objects that get stuck in the skin include:

• Wood (splinter).
• Glass.
• Rock.
• Nails.
• Needles.
• Thorns or cactus spines.
• Fiberglass slivers.
• Fish hooks.
• BBs.

Foreign bodies may damage tissue or cause infection. If the foreign body does not cause any pain or infection, it may be okay to leave it in the skin.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by an object getting lodged under the skin, usually by accident. Children may get a skin foreign body while playing outside. Adults may get a skin foreign body after breaking glass or while working with wood, fiberglass, or stone material. In some cases, the object may get stuck in an open wound after an injury.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Pain.
• A feeling of something being stuck under the skin.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

• Your medical history and symptoms.
• A physical exam.
• Imaging tests, such as:
  • X-rays.
  • CT scans.
  • Ultrasounds.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition depends on what the foreign body is, where it is, and whether it is causing infection or other symptoms. Treatment may involve:

• Removing all or part of the object with a needle and metal tweezers. In some cases, an incision may be made in the skin to allow access to the object.
• Waiting to remove the object until it moves closer to the surface of the skin. This may take several days.
• Leaving the object in place. This may be done if the object is not causing any symptoms or if removal will cause more damage to the skin or tissue.
• Antibiotic pills or ointment to treat or prevent infection.

Follow these instructions at home:

Wound or incision care

• If the foreign body was removed, 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 bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (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 wound or incision every day for signs of infection. This is especially important if the foreign body was left in place in the skin. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
  • Warmth.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine or ointment, use it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You develop more pain or other new symptoms around the area where the object entered the skin.
• You have redness, swelling, or pain around your wound or incision.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your wound or incision.
• Your wound or incision feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your wound or incision.
• You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe pain that does not get better with medicine.

Summary

• A skin foreign body is an object that is stuck in the skin. Common objects that get stuck in the skin include wood, glass, rock, thorns, and fiberglass slivers.
• Treatment for this condition depends on what the foreign body is, where it is, and whether it is causing infection or other symptoms.
• Treatment may include removing the foreign body or leaving it in place. It is important to watch the wound or incision for signs of infection, especially if the object was left in place in the skin.