A foreign body occurs when material penetrates the skin and becomes embedded within the soft tissues of the hand or fingers.
Improper removal can cause further injury if the foreign body is located close to tendons, nerves, or blood vessels.
Is this an emergency?
Foreign bodies can be an emergency depending on the type, size, location and depth, as well as any injury to surrounding structures.
Please contact 1300HANDOC immediately for advice and further instructions.
- Pain
- Swelling
- Visible object or entry wound
- Sensation that something is still present in the skin
- Signs of infection
- Numbness or tingling
- Limited range of motion
- Nails
- Fishhooks and fish barbs
- Organic material such as palm fronds and splinters
- Gravel or debris
- Broken glass
- Wood, plastic or metal shards
- History and mechanism of injury
- Clinical examination
- X-rays determine the location and depth of the foreign body and assess for any associated injury to the surrounding or underlying structures
Do not remove a foreign body that is embedded in a wound. It is important to first determine if the foreign body has caused damage to surrounding structures such as tendons, nerves and blood vessels.
Depending on the type of foreign body, X-ray imaging with multiple views or ultrasound may be required to confirm its location and any damage to underlying structures.
Antibiotics or tetanus protection may also be required depending on the nature of the injury.
Please contact 1300HANDOC immediately for advice and further instructions.
1300 426 362