Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

Wood splinter stuck in fingernail!

Posted In: I cannot get a diagnosis. 2 Replies
  • Posted By: quickguide90012
  • April 10, 2009
  • 10:41 PM

Today i was picking up something at home at my floor and ouch some wood broke from the floor and popped into my right 4th finger. It is stuck under my fingernail and it hurts a lot now.

It is hard using tweezers to get it out b/c it is in a very hard spot to get it out. I heard something like this it could get infected. Can someone tell me what to do?

I just went to my doctor and he could not get it out. He referred me to 2 hand surgeons. Should i be worried? He said it is embedded in the fingernail and requires surgery.

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2 Replies:

  • That's absurd. You need a doctor with better skills at this sort of thing, not a surgeon for God's sake. Regardless of how the splinter is positioned under the nail bed, it can be removed without surgical intervention. Special tweezers are used that have jaws which cut into the foreign body so that it can be firmly grasped. Realize that when a foreign object like a splinter becomes lodged in the soft tissues, fluid collects from irritation to the tissues and to prevent entry of potentially harmful bacteria into the proximal tissues and circulation. It makes it difficult to remove, but without doubt does not require the services of a hand surgeon of all things. My recommendation is to proceed to the local emergency room, where even a resident with the requisite skills can provide relief. Local anesthesia can be used to reduce discomfort during removal. You may have to wait a bit since a splinter under the nail also does not constitute an emergency, but the folks there are quite familiar with this type of injury. Best regards, J Cottle, MD
    JCottleMD 580 Replies Flag this Response
  • I just did this tonight! Simply file down the top of the nail down to the splinter and lift it away from the nail bed. I did it this way since the splinter kept breaking apart and it worked. Didnt hurt much at all. Once out use Bandaid Brand HURT-FREE Antiseptic Wash.
    Anonymous 42789 Replies Flag this Response
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