Comments on: The trouble with twigs

By: Lise M.

Lise M. — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:54:05 +0000

Dan, look here for some advice:
http://ask.metafilter.com/45610/What-kinds-of-splinters-must-be-removed-asap
I agree with the grandmother who was a classically trained British midwife and then a nurse at the largest hospital east of Montreal. Her official stance was always to leave the splinter alone and it’d work itself out. Treat the area like any other cut (keep clean, monitor for infection, etc) but otherwise ignore it unless it is causing Amy (and you) great distress.
Hope everyone feels better soon.

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 30 May 2007 17:17:18 +0000

Reflexology?
;-)
Actually, I think soaking the area in warm water with Epson salt is supposed to help…

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 29 May 2007 22:21:46 +0000

Thanks for all the advice. We’re planning on sticking her in the bath for an hour, and loading her up with all the pain killing stuff we can muster (adding an icepack and a bit of calpol in for good measure)

Alternatively we can just wait until her hand gets gangrene and needs to be amputated. at least that will be done under general anesthetic.

does anyone else have any tips?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 29 May 2007 22:04:34 +0000

Poor thing. I agree with Dan and Kristina - soak it in warm water for about 1/2 hour, then numb it. Then (and here’s my unsolicited advice) have someone else feed her chocolate covered ice cream while you’re working on it. Hey - couldn’t hurt!

By: Kristina

Kristina — Tue, 29 May 2007 15:35:35 +0000

More unsolicited advice: have you tried some teething gel to numb the area?

Poor Amy. Also poor Dan and Kerry.

You just tell that splinter, “You get out of here!”

By: whit

whit — Mon, 28 May 2007 22:26:36 +0000

Make sure you write your story down, so as no to forget it!

You are much nicer than I am, I usually just tell the boys that their hand will fall off if they don’t let me attend to it.

By: dan leone

dan leone — Mon, 28 May 2007 22:19:13 +0000

Please forgive the unsolicited advice but we have had success with soaking the hand in warm water for a long time. This tends to swell the skin and might make for an easier extraction. Good luck.

Isn’t there a splinter story about a lion and a mouse? I think it was one of Aesop’s Fables. Whatever, I like your story better!

Have fun!

Dan