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Foreign Body Removal

Reasons to Have One, What to Expect, Associated Risks & More

Key Points

  • The article provides a guide on how to safely remove foreign objects from the skin, eyes, and ears, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and sterilization.
  • Easily removable objects from the skin can be taken out with sterilized tweezers, but care must be taken if the object is embedded or the area is inflamed.
  • For objects in the eye, blinking or using saline solution can help, but self-removal should not be attempted if the object is sharp, embedded, or contains chemicals due to the risk of infection or vision loss.
  • Objects in the ear should never be probed with any instrument to avoid damaging the eardrum.
  • The article recommends using Solv to locate the nearest urgent care clinic for immediate assistance in foreign body removal, especially if the foreign body is deeply lodged or the area becomes red, swollen, or oozing.

A piece of glass in your foot. An insect in your ear. There are countless foreign objects that can enter the body, but one thing is for sure – they’re not supposed to be there, and they need to be removed. Some foreign bodies that are stuck in the skin can be taken out relatively easily, while others lodged in the eyes and ears can become much more difficult. Factors including what the object is and where it’s located determine what the best method is for foreign body removal.

If you have a small object or piece of debris stuck in your skin, you’ll want to take the following steps before attempting to remove it:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  2. If you’re using tweezers, sterilize them with rubbing alcohol.
  3. Remove the foreign body and then sterilize the area using rubbing alcohol.
  4. Allow the area to dry before applying antibiotic ointment and covering the wound with a bandage or gauze pad.

If you’re trying to remove a foreign object from your eye, you can try flushing it out by blinking or using saline solution, however you should not attempt to remove the object yourself if it has rough or sharp edges, hit your eye at a high rate of speed, is embedded in the eye, or contains chemicals. Trying to remove an object with any of these characteristics can cause an infection, and in the worst case scenario, vision loss.

If you’re trying to remove a foreign object from your ear, you can try turning your head to see if it will fall out, but never stick anything in your ear to try to remove it, as that can cause damage to your eardrum.

As a general rule of thumb, if the object is deeply lodged into your skin, ears, eyes, or nose, and can’t be easily seen or grasped, do not try to remove it yourself. Also, if the area becomes red, tender, swollen, or is oozing, you’ll want to visit a doctor for additional treatment.

A convenient place to go for foreign body removal is an urgent care clinic. Using Solv, you’ll be able to find out which urgent care centers are located closest to you, and then make an appointment for the foreign body to be removed that same day – no wait, and no fuss!

Frequently asked questions

  • What should I do if I have a foreign object in my skin?

    If the object is easily removable, you can take it out after washing your hands and sterilizing the tweezers with rubbing alcohol. If it's deeply lodged or the area is inflamed, seek medical help.
  • How should I remove a foreign object from my eye?

    You can try blinking or using a saline solution. However, if the object is sharp, embedded, or contains chemicals, don't attempt to remove it yourself due to the risk of infection or vision loss. Seek immediate medical help.
  • Can I remove a foreign object from my ear myself?

    No, you should not attempt to remove a foreign object from your ear yourself as it may damage the eardrum. It's best to seek medical help.
  • What should I do if the area with the foreign object becomes red, swollen, or starts oozing?

    If the area becomes red, swollen, or starts oozing, it's important to seek immediate medical help as these could be signs of an infection.
  • What is Solv and how can it help me?

    Solv is a service that can help you locate the nearest urgent care clinic for immediate assistance in foreign body removal.
  • What are the risks of attempting to remove a foreign object myself?

    The risks include potential infection, damage to the skin, eye, or eardrum, and in severe cases, vision loss.
  • How can I sterilize my tweezers at home?

    You can sterilize your tweezers by cleaning them with rubbing alcohol.
  • What should I do if the foreign object is embedded?

    If the foreign object is embedded, it's best to seek medical help rather than trying to remove it yourself.

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