Today I got a 1/4 inch splinter under the nail on my index finger...

[Grondar]

I was throwing a football around today with some buddies, and I happened to be standing near an older wooden garage. One of the throws to me was a little off and low and upon going for the ball I drove my hand down the wooden wall of the garage, and promptly pushed 2 slithers of wood underneath the fingernail on my index finger.

I then went inside and tried to clip the nail down as low as I could bear, and tried to get the splinter(s) out with some tweezers and force.. But no luck, the splinter is in too far. It is under the nail, but I think it is likely also under some skin.

Right now the tip of my finger hurts, but more from me clipping too low, than from the splinter itself.

My question is, what do you recommend I do?

I am perfectly fine with letting the splinter there, provided there aren't any big issues healthwise.

I soaked my finger in alcohol and have Neosporin on it now, but the thing I am most concerned about is infection. Are the risks of infection high in my case?

Also, providing I don't/can't get the splinter out, what will happen to it?

Will it get pushed out with my growing fingernail, or will it remain there for the rest of my life?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations regarding this splinter?

I would prefer not to go to the hospital, as I am not sure if they could do anything more than I can here, and provided this isn't a serious health threat, I would prefer to save the money I would spend on the visit.

Any feedback, suggestions, etc. would be great, as I have never had a splinter under my nail before like this and am curious about what will happen if I am unable to remove it..

Thanks much.

[a1t3r3g0]

First off: ewie ewie ewie! Ick! Ugh that made the hair on my arms stand up!

Over time, I believe there is a chance that it can be pushed out with the growth of the nail. However, I don't think that it would be safe or comfortable to do it!

I think your best off seeing a doctor. I know you said you don't really want to.. but it's better to be safe than sorry.

[hilbert25]

I once had an inch long "splinter" in my leg. Hurt like a bitch, and it was too big to be pulled out by tweezers. I went to a doctor and he had it out in 5 minutes.

If you keep it, the nail might push it out, or it might just grow around it and be detached in that aread. If you have a doctor not at a hospital, they can probably take it out really easily in a 5 minute procedure.

[Chuckles]

See a doctor. They make thigns so easy :P What I do in 1hour they do in 20seconds lol

[cowlick]

It will be pushed out over time. I've had this happen a half dozen times or so. The other option is to use a fine needle or something to pick at it. But really it won't hurt or bother you and it will disappear in a month or two.

[Grondar]

Thanks for the replies.

I ended up going to doctor on campus (it's free!).

She gave me some shots of novacane in the finger and then went at it with some fine tweezers..

The wood was very "particled" so she had to take it out in tiny pieces, but after 20-30 mins it was completely removed.

I even got a pillbox of antibiotics out of the vist. Score!