Splinter
A splinter (also known as a sliver) is a fragment of a larger object, or a foreign body that penetrates or is purposely injected into a body. The foreign body must be lodged inside tissue to be considered a splinter. Splinters may cause initial pain through ripping of flesh and muscle, or infection through bacteria on the foreign object.
| Splinter | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Sliver |
| Wooden splinter in a finger | |
| Complications | Infection |
| Types | Wood, hair, glass, plastic, metal, and spines of animals |
| Risk factors | Infection |
| Diagnostic method | Ultrasonography |
Splinters commonly consist of wood, but there are many other types, for example, other common types of splinters are, hair, glass, plastic, metal, and spines of animals.
As with any wound that breaks the skin, splinters can lead to infection, which if left untreated could develop into more serious complications. If a splinter is in the body for more than 2–3 days, or if the wound shows signs of inflammation or tenderness (whether the splinter was removed or not), advice should be sought from a doctor.