How Do They Remove Foreign Bodies from Skin?

Removing a foreign body from the skin at home can include a needle and tweezers (sterilized with rubbing alcohol), or some sticky tape (packing tape, duct tape). Some foreign bodies such as splinters and fish hooks may have to be removed by a medical professional.

Foreign bodies in the skin can range from superficial slivers to larger objects that penetrate deep into the skin. 

It is usually easiest to remove a foreign body in the skin if the wound is examined within 24 hours of the injury, because the entry wound is still visible and open. Older injuries have inflammation, a hard lump, scarring, and tissue that may bleed more easily, making it more difficult to locate the foreign body. In addition, the risk of infection increases over time until the wound has fully healed.

Depending on the foreign body and the nature of the injury, not all foreign bodies in the skin need to be removed. 

How to Do Foreign Body Removal at Home

In some cases, small, superficial slivers that don’t cause pain or other symptoms may be left in place. As the skin sheds these superficial slivers will work their way out, or the body will form a small pimple around them that will drain on its own. For a small, superficial sliver: 

• Keep the wound clean and dry
  • Antiseptic solutions should not be used to clean foreign body wounds because they can slow healing
• Apply over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin zinc and polymyxin B sulfate (Polysporin) if needed 

Home care for minor slivers that need to be removed from the skin includes: 

• To remove tiny plant stickers, cactus spines, or fiberglass spicules 
  • These may be difficult to remove because they are fragile and can break easily when tweezers are used
  • Touch the area lightly with packaging tape, duct tape, or another sticky tape
  • If tape doesn’t work, apply a layer of wax hair remover
    • Let the wax air-dry for five minutes and peel it off to remove most of the stickers
    • Any that are not removed will usually work themselves out with normal skin shedding 
• To remove larger slivers or thorns:
  • These may be removed with a needle and tweezers  
  • Sterilize the tools with rubbing alcohol
  • Clean the skin surrounding the sliver with rubbing alcohol (if rubbing alcohol is not available, soap and water will work, but do not soak an area with embedded wood because water can cause wood splinters to swell)
  • Using the needle, completely expose the large end of the sliver and then grasp the end firmly with the tweezers, pulling it out at the same angle that it entered the skin
  • Apply over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin zinc and polymyxin B sulfate (Polysporin) if needed after removal

If foreign bodies cause pain, over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines may be used such as:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Naproxen (Aleve)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Aspirin 
  • Do not give aspirin to children because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness 

When to See a Doctor for Foreign Body Removal

For foreign bodies in the skin that are unable to be removed at home, medical removal by a healthcare professional includes: 

• Splinter removal
  • A doctor may need to use specialized tweezers 
  • An incision may be needed to access the object
  • Surgery may be required if conservative attempts to are unable to remove the object
• Fish hook removal
  • There are many kinds of fish hooks so it is helpful to bring an identical hook to the doctor so they can visualize how the hook might be embedded into the skin
  • Depending on the patient, the location of the wound, and how the hook is embedded, a digital block (used on fingers and toes) or anesthesia to numb the area may be needed
  • Hooks that are not barbed may be backed out following the curve of the hook
  • Barbed hooks may need to be pushed all the way through to the other side, and then the barbed end will be cut with a wire cutter so the shank of the hook can then be backed out
  • Other methods may be used depending on the patient, the location of the wound, and how the hook is embedded

Other treatments for foreign bodies in the skin may include: 

• Stitches or staples may be used to close the wound, depending on how large it is
• Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat or help prevent infection
• Patients whose last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago should be given a tetanus shot