What Are the Different Types of Foreign Bodies?
There are several types of foreign bodies that can enter your skin to cause a wound. The removal of foreign bodies is essential to reduce the chances of infection and to avoid having the foreign body enter the vital tissues. Here are some of the most common types of foreign bodies:
- Graphite – this is the material in pencils
- Broken glass – from damaged windowpanes or drinking glasses
- Fishhooks – occurs while fishing
- Thorns or spines – from plants at home or in the woods
- Nails – typically from a battery-operated or electrically-charged nail gun
- Wood splinters – from fences, doors or other wooden objects
Most foreign body injuries are in the hands or fingers, but it is also possible to have a foreign body injury in the ear, nose, eyes, or throat. Infants and toddlers can find dangerous objects such as watch batteries, small toys or pebbles, and these items can become lethal in the trachea or the esophagus. If someone can’t breathe due to a foreign body, then it is essential to call paramedics for emergency treatment. Don’t try to remove these types of foreign bodies on your own, and also, don’t induce vomiting to remove the object from the stomach.
Removing Foreign Bodies on Your Own
However, many types of foreign bodies are easy to remove on your own, including wooden splinters. In some cases, you can also remove a fishhook, but if it is in a delicate area of the body, then visit an urgent care center for professional removal. It is a good idea to have a first-aid kit at your home so that you can remove most foreign objects with tweezers. First, sterilize the tweezers with an antiseptic solution such as hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. Wash the area of the skin where there is a foreign body, or use the rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to destroy pathogens. Use the tweezers to pull the splinter or other foreign body from the skin. If the wound bleeds profusely, then you should apply pressure and seek medical attention quickly. For minor bleeding, you can wash the wound with warm water and soap along with applying a disinfectant several times a day. When the wound is larger, you should cover it with an adhesive bandage. If you have a puncture wound, then you may need stitches to repair the skin and underlying tissues.
Come into WellCare
If you have got a foreign body stuck in some body part the best way to treat this is by coming into WellCare Urgent Care Center. Our team will be able to remove the foreign body in a safe manner and prevent causing any further damage. Book a same-day appointment online at our Cascade or Leonard locations to meet with our team.
