I have an embedded piece of glass that has been in my foot for 6 weeks. Now it is puffed a little over the spot and you can feel something, but I can't remove it with tweezers. Will it eventually come out or do I need to see a doctor? Thanks for your help and God bless!
By Debra from TN
I would seek a doctor if it has been there for 6 weeks. You might have to have him/her remove it for you and medication for an infection if he/she deems it necessary. I had a friend whose Mom had sad consequences with a glass cut in her garden and did not seek medical help. Is your tetnus shot up to date?
Last year I got a splinter in my finger that was too deep for me to remove. The splinter became encapsulated (a hard shell formed around it) and I had to have it removed by an orthopedic surgeon.
I am with Doris, the drawing salve would be my first stop. It works awesome to take foreign objects out of the body. We once put it on a small child with a thorn so deep in her foot we couldn't get it out and we dug for it. We put on the drawing salve that looked like black tar, gooped it on put a bandaid on her and she took a nap. Exhausted from crying while we tried to dig it out. When she woke a couple hours latter we removed the bandaid and their was the thorn laying in the salve. A miracle. Have used it many times since. It's an underappreciated product.
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12 years ago I had a car accident. At that time I did remove some pieces of glass. But there are more pieces of glass that can be seen. So what I do?
Get a tube of ichthammol ointment 20%, no rx needed. The pharmacy may have to order it for you. It's black and messy but it works. Spread over area where you feel the glass, cover with dressing and secure with tape.
Sometimes when glass has been under your skin for this long (12 years?) it may take several weeks/months of treatment to get it out - be patient as you may not be able to tell that anything is working for a week or so.
Always start off with soaking the area in warm/hot water (hot as you can stand without burning) with either strong Epson Salt or baking soda (doesn't matter how much but at least a 1/2 to one cup in a pan of water. Reheat and soak for at least 15 minutes. You can rinse but not necessary - Dry the area.
You can now try ichthammol ointment 20% if you have been able to find it. Ask pharmacist for it may be behind the counter. I would not purchase anything less than 20% and that is what most places will have. I have not had success with less than 20% and also not with other 'name brands'. It is commonly called 'black drawing salve' just in case you cannot pronounce the name.
It was first used on horses (and other farm animals) but safe to use on humans - farm stores will have it but it may be in a large container.
Here is a link to Amazon and the cheapest price I have ever seen:
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If you do not have this salve or cannot get it then do the soaking as mentioned and after drying place a piece of old fashion cloth medical tape (new bandades do not work) and if none of that then wrap it with duck tape - leave overnight and renew the soakings the next day.
Since you have lived with this for 12 years I think you can try some DIY solutions and see a doctor if all else fails.
I've got glass in my hand. It's been there for a while about 2-3 years. Will it surface and come out by it self or will I need to get it taken out by surgery.
Two to three years... your skin has already healed with the glass in it, so you're going to need to have it removed professionally.
I got a small piece of glass from my phone stuck in the middle of my hand after dropping my phone then picking it up to wipe it off. Tweezers didn't work too good. They broke the glass off.
I don't have any peroxide or baking soda, what can I do at home? It's painful and irritating, it's embedded under my skin pretty good.
Glass is a tough one! I strongly suggest a trip to the PCP or urgent care to get it resolved. This is a safety first thing. Yes, it is expensive, but better to be safe.
If you absolutely cannot afford to go to a doc, do you have insurance and do they have 24 hour free nurse line? My insurance has this and I have called them to ask questions. They can tell you if there is a safe soak or other home remedy you can try first.
Post back how you are!! Prayers for healing!!
If you have a magnifying glass - it can maybe help you better to help remove pieces of glass.
If not like everyone mentioned - urgent care or the doctors, or if you have any family / friends who are in the healthcare field to help you.
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How do you draw a piece of glass out from under the skin?
