Splinter

Article summary

A splinter (also known as a sliver) is a fragment of a larger object, or a foreign body that becomes embedded in a body. To be considered a splinter, the foreign body must penetrate and remain lodged within the tissue. Splinters may cause initial pain due to the damage of flesh and muscle, and can cause an infection through contamination by bacteria on the foreign object. Splinters are commonly made of wood, but they may be constituted of several other materials, such as hair, glass, plastic, metal, and the 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. Medical advice should be sought if a splinter remains inside the body for more than 2 or 3 days, or if the affected area shows signs of inflammation or tenderness regardless of whether the splinter has been removed.

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