Ow! Metal Splinter...

[JesseK]

I got to work about an hour ago and quickly realized that there's a metal splinter in the tip of my left ring finger. It's presumably aluminum since that's mostly what I worked with this weekend. It wouldn't be a problem if I weren't a programmer for a living; tap-typing isn't going to fly in the long term...

I need a Macgyver-type solution to this. Nail-pinching isn't working and none of my coworkers have tweezers in their pockets. :ahh:

Thoughts? Cheerful puns?

[EthanMiller]

You're at the workshop, right? There should be plenty of saws in the back ;)

In a serious note, you can try soaking the finger in warm water for a while, then try squeezing it out again. Alternatively, I've heard of iodine or isopropyl alcohol used to cause the surrounding skin to retract a bit and make it easier to get out, though I can't personally vouch for those methods.

(Please sterilize the saw before removing the finger. It will lower chance of infection)

[MrForbes]

If it's aluminum, then it's a real pain to remove it. If it's wood, it will get infested after a day or two, and the pus will make it easier to remove. Iron sometimes rusts and that helps start an infection, allowing the pus to help it come out.

If you're not comfortable cutting your finger open yourself to remove it, I suggest a visit to a doctor. And the cut will take time to heal, too.

[CalTran]

Happen to have a pair of needle nosed pliers handy?

[JesseK]

Oi, looks like a trip to the site's physician then. Thanks for the info!

[billbo911]

Nail clippers might do the trick. Just be gentle and DON'T cut it shorter!

[MrForbes]

Just be gentile


That's some of the strangest advice I've read on CD

but the nail clipper trick might work if the piece is not embedded too deeply.

[billbo911]

That's some of the strangest advice I've read on CD

but the nail clipper trick might work if the piece is not embedded too deeply.

Ooooops, my bad. That's what I get for trusting spell checker to keep me from looking foolish. :rolleyes:

[Ether]

In a serious note, you can try soaking the finger in warm water for a while

Yes. Soak it for half an hour (or more) till the skin gets soft.

Inspect it with a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe to see which end is which.

Then take a sterilized pin and pry it out.

[MrForbes]

Gosh, all these guys are suggesting processes which require patience! rather than patients.

[GaryVoshol]

Maybe, just call it a sick day and go home. ;)

Don't let FIRST hear about it, or they will come up with new finger-protection rules. ::ouch::

[Ether]

Don't let FIRST hear about it, or they will come up with new finger-protection rules.

Everyone must wear safety glasses AND welding gloves. :-)

[Frenchie461]

take a pocket knife, sharpen it, dip it in something to sterilize it, and carefully go poking around for it.

[BJT]

I usually grab a new razor blade and start digging.

[roystur44]

Time for a mani pedicure.


Roy

[Arefin Bari]

I recently had an aluminum splinter stuck in my finger. This is what I did, please only use this process if you feel comfortable.

I used a tweezer and a needle. I used the needle to dig out some of the skins around the splinter, then used a tweezer to pull it out. It took a while and I had to dig in a little bit but it worked. Also, please burn the needle head for a bit before you use it.

[Cecil]

Have you tried Duct Tape? Put a small strip over it, and rip it off quickly. Repeat a few times, and it should be out. Works every time for me.

[WileyB-J]

two credit cards on a 30 degree angle opposite each other pinching the skin containing the splinter does wonders in the back-country, might do the trick for you (i.e \./ )

[RoboMom]

Years ago I got a metal splinter in a finger while sailing.
It didn't hurt. I carried on for 12 hours.
By the next day, my finger was twice the size, required a hospital visit for some pretty painful lancing and a long course of antibiotics.

You see where I'm headed with this.

Good luck.

Jenny, RN, MPH

[MrEldritch]

Our team solved the whole problem of metal splinters by building the whole robot out of fiberglass. Now we only have to deal with glass fibers, which are even more painful and harder to remove!

[NullEntity]

Anyone else reminded of Talladega Nights where he stabbed himself in the leg with a knife and uses another to try and pry it out?

[Chris is me]

Oi, looks like a trip to the site's physician then. Thanks for the info!

Yes, do this.

If you do anything else, make sure what you're using is sterile in order to avoid infection.

Placing your finger in a very warm water bath to soak it will loosen up your skin for removal.