After Removing a Foreign Body Stuck in the Skin: How to Care for Your Child

Your child had a foreign body stuck in the skin. To remove it, the health care provider made a small cut and gently pulled it out. Sometimes, a very small piece (too small to see) breaks off and stays in the skin. It's important to check your child's wound regularly over the next few days to make sure you don't feel or see a small piece of the foreign body.

• Follow your health care provider's instructions for cleaning and bandaging the wound.

• If the health care provider:

  • prescribed an antibiotic skin ointment, apply it as instructed. Do not use ointment if the wound was closed with medical glue.

  • prescribed antibiotics to take by mouth, give them as directed.

• You can give medicine for pain if your health care provider says it's OK. Use these medicines exactly as directed: 

  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)

  • OR

  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Do not give to babies under 6 months old.

• Your child has a lot of pain.

• There is bleeding from the wound.

• You or your child feel like something is still stuck in the skin.

• Your child has trouble moving the part of the body where the object was stuck. 

• The area around the wound seems infected; signs include redness, swelling, or draining pus.

How can we prevent splinters and other objects from getting in the skin? Teach kids to:

• Avoid rubbing against wood or metal surfaces.

• Wear shoes on decks and boardwalks, and when wading in water.

• Wear shoes or avoid the area if there's broken glass or other sharp debris on a floor.

• Put away pins and sewing needles after use.

• Stay away from bushes and plants with thorns or spikes.