Ouch! Glass stuck in foot - What to do?

nurse_wannabe · Apr 18, 2005

Well, I used my gas stove burner on the needle and the scissors for about a minute each. Hope that was good enough. First I cleansed them with alcohol really well.

It already does feel much better. :)

Good idea about sterilizing them again. I do have an extra pair too.

Butternut · Apr 18, 2005

Walked on a piece of glass for a year, that my Podiastrist was not able to find after digging twice. It finally worked itself to the surface. If I remember right, I used a little adhesive corn pad with a hole in the middle, the whole time. Dr kept saying glass does not show up on xray. I had never thought about it before. It can be a real problem to find. Good luck.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 18, 2005

nurse_wannabe said:
Well, I used my gas stove burner on the needle and the scissors for about a minute each. Hope that was good enough. First I cleansed them with alcohol really well.
It already does feel much better. ?
Good idea about sterilizing them again. I do have an extra pair too.

Please have someone with a certification as a medical provider take a look at your foot. Feet can be quite dirty, and you can get one serious infection.

One minute on a stove doesn't quite cut it..................sorry....

JoanJuxtaposed · Dec 25, 2010

nurse_wannabe said:
Hi all. I know many of you don't like giving medical advice here, but I'm in a lot of pain so I'm going to take my chances. :rotfl:
A few weeks ago I stepped on a tiny piece of glass, about the size of a single sugar crystal. I tried everything I could think of to get it out, peroxide, tweezers, a needle, tape, etc. Nothing worked. I was leaving to go out of town the next day, so I couldn't see a doc. I thought if I just left it alone it might work itself back out. No such luck.
Now it's swollen up around the perimeter, kind of like a bee sting, and it's VERY tender, even moreso than when I first stepped on it. The skin has grown back over it, and there is no redness.
Do any of you have any advice on how to get it out? I don't want to go to the ER because it's not an emergency, but I don't know if a regular doc's office would have the tools to get it out. I am due to see my OB doctor on Friday, do you think she could get it out?
Thanks.

Ha, I came here looking for the same advice. I've had a shard of glass stuck in my foot for 3 days now. My Christmas is being ruined because of the pain! Seeing that the best advice is to dig it out and brace yourself for the pain is making me want to cry like a child. I was so hoping to read posts filled with pretty tales about it falling out on its own, haha. It's really deep in there and naturally, I don't care much inflicting pain on myself but I guess it's unavoidable. Ok... I'm going to go and dig it out now. :crying2:

JoanJuxtaposed · Dec 25, 2010

I DID IT! It did hurt a lot, a whole lot, and I had to take many breaks, but I did and I'm just so proud. For a while I wasn't even sure if there was anything in there or not, but I dug that thing out (with a small sterilized knife) and could actually see it. I washed it down the sink. No tears, just grimacing and then glory. Awesome. ?

allnurses Guide · Dec 25, 2010

We really cannot offer medical advise here, this thread was started years ago.

If your concerned you should seek qualified medical advice rather than looking for answers on an Internet forum. I certainly wouldn't advise digging it out.

Thread closed.

anitalaff, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2016

Antikigirl said:
I have also heard of people using super glue and peeling it off and it takes the sliver too...but my luck I wouldn't be able to peel it off! LOL!

I hope you meant white glue rather than super glue. LOL I'm imagining trying to get super glue off my skin...