Glass in foot, does "drawing" ointment exist or work?

poet123

Bit of background.

A couple of weeks ago I broke a glass in the bedroom on the wooden floor, I thought I had got it all up but next morning a minute piece got stuck in my foot. I thought I had managed to get it out, but now I am having some intermttent ( which confuses me) discomfort, and can see a mark and a smallish lump.

OH would like to poke around with tweezers:eek: but I prefer a gentler option. So, my question is, does drawing ointment exist ( I remember my mother talking about it years ago) and does it work? From memory, she spoke about pink lint (as opposed to white) being used ( as a dressing?) as well.

Any ideas, or am I showing my age:)

demonicangel

Magnesium Sulphate paste from the chemist.

Put some on a dressing and leave it to work.

mandragora_2

Magnesium sulphate - you used to be able to get it in Boots, from the pharmacist - comes in a little pot, and you stir the top oil and the bottom paste together to make an ointment you apply, and, I think, cover with a plaster or lint/bandage and leave overnight.

It works, I just haven't bought any for a couple of years so don't know if you can still get it. I know from when the kids were small, they recommend soaking the affected area in hot water for a while - but that might only work for wood splinters rather than glass, as it makes the wood swell and this seems to make it rise to the surface and lthen its easier to pick off. I also remember being told NOT to get at it with tweezers/needles etc as you can actually push it further in and also risk introducing infection. I'd try soaking it, I think.

poet123

Thank you both so much, I knew someone would be able to help, and saveme from the tweezers!! Off to the chemist tomorrow. I will let you know how I fare. Thanks again.

mandragora_2

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Splinter-with-Baking-Soda

also just found this - might be helpful, as you could well have baking soda in the house; the method used is exactly the way you'd used mag sulph as well

glowgirl_2

I bought magensium sulphate from Boots a couple of days ago - hth:)

shandyclover

It definitely works!

My then 9 year old daughter fell out of a tree and slid down a fence and got dozens of splinters in her back a few years ago - they fragmented and I could not get them out so took her to the dr. The dr had a very brusqe manner and came at her waving an enormous needle and telling her to stop being a coward and turn over - daughter promptly got up and walked out of the room. I was also pretty cross by this time as my daughter has endured 23 surgeries in her life and is definitely no coward! I walked up to the pharmacy and explained the situation. Pharmacist was lovely lady who suggested the magnesium oitment on after a hot bath. Next morning as I changed the plaster all the splinters came out.

Serena51

If it is glass and not a splinter, I would suggest seeing your pharmacist or practice nurse. Definitely don't let anyone poke it with anything.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

If there is pus build up, the paste will draw that out, which may give the fragment the space it needs to come out. Then, if a little recovery is needed, the foot is in the best condition for the nurse to deal with it (NEVER trust men with tweezers or pins - they have no idea what they are doing - it's not as if they have 20 years of eyebrow maintenance, after all.)

poet123

Just been and picked some magnesium sulphate up from the chemist, so I will be giving it a go later on. Thanks again for the info.