Removing a splinter from a 2-year-old's hand

[Alex Franke]

Is he an only child? I've found the thread fascinating, and followed it closely but . . . this seems like a lot of trauma for a sliver. And, when I say trauma I mean for all parties concerned, parents included.

No, he's one of two (which is part of the reason we just couldn't hold him down and get it over with the first time). From reading this thread, it probably seems more traumatic that it actually was.

I have a feeling that he getting used to having the splinter. He has a pretty high pain tolerance usually, so it probably didn't bother him too much, even though it was looking infected. Plus he was getting a lot of attention because of it -- probably part of the problem.

Next time I want to take care of it all in one sitting, rather than letting is span 24 hours...

[Adele]

I must agree with Warren on this one. When it starts hurting he will let you get it out. I would try that next time. I think holding him down does more damage (mentally) than a little infection would.

Adele

But that is just my 2 cents worth.

[scorrpio]

What have we come to when the idea of child abuse comes to mind when dealing with a child's health and well being! No wonder parents are afraid to apply 'firm' discipline when it is called for. (I'll cut the soap box up for kindling now.)

Unfortunately, I've heard enough horror stories of 'helpful' neighbors calling cops in responce to what sounded to them like excessive amount of child screaming.
By the time parents manage to prove that the child hasn't been abused after all, it results in severe emotional scarring for the kid, the parents, a sizable sum paid to a lawyer, and noone to sue for the damages cause social workers were just 'doing their job' and neighbors (who are now hated with a passion and relationship will now be tainted for years) were acting out of 'genuine concern'.
This really boils down to what kind of people are in the vicinity. We know our neighbors pretty well, they know us, it is a fairly upscale area, so we are not overly concerned.
But if got that pesky eager-beaver neighbor, doctor might be the better option.

[ironhat]

Someone at work here recommended putting some petroleum jelly on it and cover it with a bandage for several hours. She says this will loosen it up a bit and maybe it will even come out on its own. So we're going to try that.

I'd be leary that the PJ would soften the splinter and make it harder to extricate in its entirety.

Someone else suggested that there was some kind of spray-on anesthetic that might be helpful for any pain. Don't know what it is, though... Any ideas?

Remeber Bactine? It's still out there and there is an anesthetic in it - Lidocain, I believe, but I'm not sure how deeply it will affect the tissue.

If none of this works, then we'll probably try the wood glue, then start working our way through the other suggetions. Thanks for all the ideas so far! This has got to be the best woodworking forum ever.

I hadn't heard of this one but I think that it has promise!

Good luck. It's tough being the one who is causing all the crying. My 29 yr old baby still comes to Dad when she has one that just won't come out. Even at 55 I'm still needed for something... once in a while.

BTW, you're the lucky one, dsellinger!

Best of luck,
Chiz

[emsmedic]

As a paramedic, I treat kids now and then with all kinds of bumps/bruises, etc. The biggest disadvantage we have is that we're strangers. So aside from the pain and fear from the injury itself, there's noise and excitement and flashing lights and unfamiliar people doing things that just plain hurt.

One of the best tricks I've come across, if the situation allows, is to use a surrogate patient. We carry teddy bears on the ambulances, but a favorite stuffed animal or doll would work too. Before we put a bandage on the child or take a blood pressure, we do it to teddy first, and let the kid help out. If the teddy bear tolerates a bandage or a sling, it can't be that bad, right?

It's a distraction, but at the same time, it gets them involved, and I've had good results with it. Obviously it's dependent on age and the severity of the injuries involved (and the relative sanity of the parents), but it's worth a try. It doesn't work for everything, such as IVs (probably splinters too), but in those cases, we're as honest as we can be. "It's going to hurt for a minute or two, but it will help you feel better."