Tetanus and splinters - Kinda Urgent, Mamas...

[eireann]

So my LO got a small splinter in the heel a while ago. It was pretty superficial, and we decided after prodding, picking, tweezing and poking to let it work itself out. Well it finally did, the little sucker came out and now DC is saying it hurts if I pinch the site. She isnt in pain when she walks at all. It looks like a tiny pimple sized crater with a hole. If I pinch it, I can get a tad of clear fluid, and I made it bleed ever so slightly tonight. I put hydrogen peroxide on it, then neosporin, then covered it with a band aid (as I had being doing when it first happened.) We're going to the pediatrician in the AM. I was terrified earlier, but now I'm trying to be calm. Might be the red wine.

Anyhow, you know whats gonna come up. Tetanus shot. My child is 100% unvaxed and I don't want to start now. I'd rather go the route of antibiotics though the thought of that terrifies me too. Anyone had a splinter or something that sound like this, and avoid the tetanus shot?

WWYD??

[Arduinna]

It doesn't sound like it warrants tetanus or abx IMO, and I wouldn't even bother with the Dr for it. What you described sounds totally normal to me.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I agree sounds like it will be OK. I would watch for infection though but other than that I wouldnt think to much of it.

[eireann]

Even the oozing? That just concerns me, like its slowly getting infected. Then again, this child has hardly ever been sick nor had anything like this so I've never seen this probably very normal thing.

She bumps herself a lot and gets cuts and bruises and whatnot but this splinter has been in there for a while. I probably sound super vigilant but I don't want to be too casual. I know this sounds pedantic but I also don't wanna deal with "if you just got the shot in the first place..." nonsense. I will seriously split in two and it will not be pretty. Looking for reassurance and some positive words.

xo


(when I say oozing I mean clear fluid)

[Arduinna]

clear fluid is part of the healing process and totally normal

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

It could be a small particle of the splinter was left behind causing the oozing. I have had that happen before.

I know what you mean not being casual you cant help but worry about the what if's.

[coyotemist]

At this point, I'd probably not take her to the doctor. Go to the store (drug store) and buy some Hibiclens, continue using the neosporin, stop using the peroxide (kills new fragile growing tissue) and watch it.

Your biggest risk is MRSA, it's a community thing now, not just a hospital thing. Hibiclens might not kill it, so she might need antibiotics, but probably not yet.

[WaitingForKiddos]

I agree with the Hibiclens idea. It's a wonderful medical soap. Kills all the nasties and doesn't burn.

[SaraC]

I believe if it has been over 72 hours since the initial splinter then you have missed the window for a tetanus shot. I would just keep it clean and not worry about it. I would also stop picking at it and only wash and cover it. The more you mess with it the more likely you are going to experience a problem.

[eireann]

Thanks for all your replies. Went to the doctor. She said whatever it was popped out and just to keep it clean by using a prescription antibiotic ointment and letting it air out . Most importantly there is no infection. Hooray!

[Emmeline II]

I've used Calendula ointment on splinters dd wouldn't let me take out and the wound seems to "release" the splinter.

I also used it on a sebaceous cyst on her foot when she was a baby. It had been developing for 4 months, but "dissolved" itself in two days with the Calendula.

[eireann]

wow really good to know. thanks!

[Marnica]

You may also want to look into colloidal silver for wound cleaning.

[BeckyBird]

Marnica, I was just thinking of colloidal silver!
I've also used crushed garlic mixed in water, to put on small wounds.