Fiberglass or fiber glass is widely used around you. This glass fiber material is used as a heat and sound insulator, and is contained in a wide variety of objects, such as airplanes, ships, curtains, building materials, and some plastics. The very thin rigid fibers in this material are mostly made of glass mixed with other materials such as wool. This fiber will irritate the skin if it gets into it. If you're going to be working around fiberglass, you'll want to know how to get this annoying splinter out.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Masking Tape
Step 1. Prepare good lighting and a magnifying glass
Removing glass shards in a well-lit room will increase your chances of success in your business. The fibers in fiber glass are so thin and white or yellow that they are difficult to see when they penetrate the skin.
Step 2. Prepare a roll of thick and sticky tape
You'll need a thick piece of tape such as duct tape or electrical tape that won't tear when pulled. You'll also need very sticky tape to remove the fiberglass shards.
Step 3. Do not wash the area where the fiberglass is exposed
This method is more effective if the tape can adhere tightly to the fiberglass splinters. The water will soften the fiberglass shards, making them more difficult to pull out of the skin.
Step 4. Press the tape firmly onto the area where the fiberglass splinter is punctured
Press the tape for a few minutes by hand. Make sure that the tape adheres well to the skin and fiberglass splinters.
Step 5. Remove the tape in one gentle motion, if possible
Removing the tape suddenly or forcefully will exfoliate your skin, or result in an open wound. This will make the fiberglass shards more difficult to remove. Remove the tape as close to the skin as possible, then remove it. You may need to repeat this step several times.
- Remember that the tape used is not gentle on the skin. As such, you have to be very careful when removing them.
- Examine the area for fiber glass under a lamp, or with a magnifying glass to make sure all fiber glass has been removed. Rub your clean hand to feel for sharp splinters or pain in the affected area. If it feels so, there is still glass fiber in the section.
Step 6. Wash the area with soap and water after all the fiberglass chips have been removed
Apply an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin to prevent infection.
Bacteria or germs are normally found on the outermost layer of the skin. However, wounds caused by fiberglass shards on the skin allow these bacteria or germs to enter it and cause skin infections
Method 2 of 3: Removing Fiber Glass Flakes
Step 1. Wash hands with soap and water
Bacteria and germs are on the surface of most people's skin. However, these germs can cause infection if they enter the skin through a cut from glass fiber splinters.
If fiberglass punctures your hand, do not use this step. Don't let the pieces go deeper
Step 2. Clean the area you are handling with soap and water
Fiber glass flakes tend to break easily. Do not let these fibers break under the skin or be pushed deeper. Clean the area where the fiberglass splinters are affected by running soapy water over it, but do not rub or rub the area. You will actually make the fiber flakes go deeper.
- Pour some water into any container, rub the soap between your wet palms, then dip your hands into the water. Repeat until the water becomes soapy. If fiberglass shards get into your hands, ask someone else to make this soapy water.
- The germs on the hands and on the skin around the fiberglass shards are the same. Once you've managed to remove the fiberglass splinters, there's still a risk of infection if the germ gets into the skin.
Step 3. Clean tongs, sharp needles, and medical alcohol
Look for tongs with a pointed tip so that it's easier for you to pick up fiberglass shards. Bacteria are found in everything we use. The alcohol will kill these germs so they won't get into your skin when you try to remove the fiberglass splinter.
Medical alcohol or ethyl alcohol will kill germs by dissolving the outer protective layer, causing them to disintegrate and die
Step 4. Set up good lighting and a magnifying glass
Removing fiberglass splinters in a bright room will increase your chances of success. Fiberglass is very thin and yellow or white in color, making it difficult to see when it penetrates the skin.
Step 5. Gently pull the fiberglass shard out with the clamp
Focus on picking up the ends of the fibers, then slowly pulling them out of the skin. Try not to push it deeper into the skin. Use a needle if this is the case, or if all the fiberglass shards have gotten under the skin.
- Use a sewing needle that has been sterilized with medical alcohol to gently lift the skin, or go into a crack in the skin if shards of fiberglass are visible under the skin. Then, you can use tongs to remove it.
- Don't be frustrated if you have to try several times to get the fiberglass splinters out. The size may be very small. If tweezers and needles aren't effective enough, try using tape as above.
Step 6. Press the skin after all the fiberglass shards have been removed
The blood that comes out can help get rid of germs. Use this method to prevent germs from entering the skin.
Step 7. Wash the area again with soap and water
Pat dry. Apply an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin. There is no need to cover the affected area with a bandage afterwards.
Method 3 of 3: Watching for Painful Parts
Step 1. Notice any redness on the skin punctured by the fiberglass splinter
Distinguish between irritation and infection of the skin, because the treatment for both is different.
- Fiber glass flakes can cause inflammation of the skin. The skin may be red, very itchy, and there may be small sores on the surface of the skin. You just have to wait for this wound to heal by itself. If you can, avoid working in a place that contains a lot of fiber glass. Steroid creams such as Cortaid or soft gels such as petroleum jelly can relieve your skin irritation.
- If the redness of the skin is also accompanied by an increase in temperature and/or discharge of pus, you may have a skin infection. Seek medical attention to see if you need antibiotic therapy.
Step 2. Seek medical attention if fiberglass shards are still under the skin
Even if it's not irritated at this point, chances are your skin will start to irritate with the fiberglass. Ask your doctor for help to remove fiberglass from your skin.
If you suspect that the affected part of the fiberglass splinter is infected, see a doctor as soon as possible
Step 3. Protect your body from fiberglass next time
Wear gloves or clothing to prevent contact between fiberglass and skin. Do not scratch or rub the affected area with fiberglass splinter. Do not touch your eyes while working with fiberglass, and wear protective eyewear and a mask to prevent fiberglass from getting into your eyes or lungs.
- Rubbing and scratching the skin can cause the glass fibers on the skin's surface to go deeper. A better way is to clean the fiberglass by running tap water over it.
- When you're done working with fiberglass, wash your hands thoroughly, then remove and then wash all your clothes. Wash clothes that are exposed to fiberglass separately from other clothes.
- Pants and long sleeves are great for protecting your skin. Thus, the possibility of fiber glass irritating and injuring the skin is less.
- Rinse your eyes with cold water for at least 15 minutes if any fiberglass gets in them. Don't rub your eyes. Seek medical attention if eye irritation occurs after rinsing.
