A splinter is considered a foreign object in the skin.
A splinter is considered a foreign object in the skin.
The barb of a fishhook is a fairly common foreign object in the skin.
The barb of a fishhook is a fairly common foreign object in the skin.
A small corneal foreign body, as displayed here, may not be seen without close inspection.
A small corneal foreign body, as displayed here, may not be seen without close inspection.
While awaiting medical care for a foreign object in the skin, take special care to leave the object in place: cut away any clothes around the affected area, if necessary; wash your hands; and immobilize the object with something such as a paper cup or some rolled up bandages.
While awaiting medical care for a foreign object in the skin, take special care to leave the object in place: cut away any clothes around the affected area, if necessary; wash your hands; and immobilize the object with something such as a paper cup or some rolled up bandages.

Images of Foreign Object in Eye or Skin, First Aid (4)

A splinter is considered a foreign object in the skin.
The barb of a fishhook is a fairly common foreign object in the skin.
A small corneal foreign body, as displayed here, may not be seen without close inspection.
While awaiting medical care for a foreign object in the skin, take special care to leave the object in place: cut away any clothes around the affected area, if necessary; wash your hands; and immobilize the object with something such as a paper cup or some rolled up bandages.

Foreign Object in Eye or Skin, First Aid

A foreign object can become embedded in the skin or eye, and any movement of the object, including removing it, can cause increased bleeding, damage, or pain.

All eye problems are serious because there is the potential for loss of sight or infection, so any occurrence of a foreign object in the eye requires medical attention.

Splinters, or slivers, in the skin can often be safely removed without requiring medical assistance, and this information can be found in the Splinter first aid text. Anything larger than a splinter embedded in the skin should be removed only by a medical professional. First aid measures listed below focus on protecting the skin or eye from further damage and should be conducted while awaiting medical assistance.

Who's At Risk?

Foreign objects can easily become embedded in the skin or eye and can affect anyone.

People who fish are susceptible to the barb of the fishhook becoming embedded in the skin if they are not cautious. People who work in occupations that use staple guns, nails, or grinders are at a greater risk of embedded foreign objects in the skin or eyes. Proper eyewear protection while working under risky conditions is a must.

Signs & Symptoms

It is usually obvious when a foreign object is embedded in the skin. Large foreign objects in the eye can be seen easily, but smaller objects may only be seen upon eye examination.

Self-Care Guidelines

First Aid Guide
In the case of a foreign object in the eye, the following first aid measures should be taken while awaiting medical care:

  1. Take special care to leave the object in place. Do not put any pressure on the affected area.
  2. Thoroughly wash your hands.
  3. The size of the foreign object determines how the eye should be bandaged:
    • If the object is small, cover both eyes with sterile dressings.
    • If the object is large, tape a paper cup over the injured eye and then cover the uninjured eye with a sterile dressing.
    • Covering the uninjured eye helps prevent eye movement in the affected eye.

In the case of a foreign object in the skin, the following first aid measures should be taken while awaiting medical care:

  1. Leave the object in place. Removing the object could cause severe bleeding.
  2. If necessary, carefully cut away any clothes from the affected area.
  3. Thoroughly wash your hands and put on sterile gloves, if available.
  4. Immobilize the foreign object with a paper cup, rolled bandages, etc.

In the case of any foreign object in the eye or skin:

  • Do not remove the object (unless it is a splinter in the skin only).
  • Do not attempt to clean the area.
  • Do not breathe on the area.

Treatments

The medical professional will assess the wound and likely remove the foreign object and clean the affected area.

In the case of a foreign object in the eye, special instruments are required to examine the eye completely.

In the case of a foreign object in the skin, the medical professional may give a tetanus vaccination if the wound is dirty, deep, or if the previous vaccination was more than 5 years ago. If infection occurs at the wound site, antibiotics may be given.

Visit Urgency

If the person has been impaled by an object, is severely bleeding, or is otherwise seriously wounded, seek emergency medical care.

In the case of all foreign objects in the skin, with exceptions such as splinters, give first aid and then seek medical attention. Any object that passes through clothing requires medical care as clothing can become embedded in the wound.

Any penetrating injury to the eye requires medical attention, even if the object in the eye is small. If there is merely suspicion of a foreign body in the eye, even if an object cannot be seen, seek medical attention for evaluation of the eye.

If infection develops days later (eg, the affected area is red or warm to the touch, painful, oozing pus, or blood-filled), seek medical attention.

Last modified on August 9th, 2024 at 9:16 am

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