Is this your symptom?
- A foreign object stuck in the skin, such as a wood splinter, fishhook, glass sliver or needle
- Excludes deep Puncture Wounds (see that care guide)
Symptoms of a Foreign Object in the Skin
- Pain. Most tiny slivers in the top layer of skin do not cause much pain. An example plant stickers. Objects that are deeper or go straight in are usually painful to pressure. Objects in the foot are very painful with standing or walking.
- Foreign Object Sensation. People often say, "I feel something in there."
Types of Foreign Objects
- Wood (organic): splinters, cactus spines, thorns, toothpicks. These objects are irritating and become infected if not removed.
- Metallic: BBs, nails, sewing needles, pins, tacks
- Fiberglass slivers
- Fishhooks may have a barbed point that makes removal difficult
- Glass sliver
- Pencil lead(graphite, not truly lead)
- Plastic sliver
When to Call for Skin Foreign Object
Go to ER Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Go to ER Now
- Object is deep in the skin (such as a BB or needle in the foot)
- Object has a barb (such as a fish hook)
- Object is large, such as a skewer, knife or long nail. Caution: do not try to remove large objects yourself. This may cause severe bleeding.
- Object is causing severe pain
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- You can't get the object out or want a doctor to take it out
- No past tetanus shots
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Wound looks infected (spreading redness)
- Puncture wound and last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- You think you may have a foreign body in your skin but are not sure
- Minor slivers, spines or fiberglass slivers that need to be removed
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Minor slivers, splinter or thorn that you can remove at home
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
