Am I at risk for having left a splinter -- either wood or natural
material such as a thron -- embedded in my finger?  This was about 12
years ago.  It was not painful and thick skin quickly grew around it. 
The only information I can find is this:

1.	Tiny, Pain-Free Slivers:  If superficial slivers are numerous,
tiny, and pain-free, they can be left in.  Eventually they will work
their way out with normal shedding of the skin or the body will reject
them with a minor skin infection.

http://www.lpch.org/HealthLibrary/ParentCareTopics/SkinLocalizedSymptoms/SplinterorSliver.html

The splinter was about 1/2 inch long (not tiny); I did not get an
infection and it did not (visibly) come out.  What happened to it? 
Could it travel to another part of my body and cause damage to an
organ?

Thank you.

Cynthia

---

Clarification of Question by cyntlhiadiane-ga on 14 Oct 2003 11:47 PDT

should have read "such as a thorn"

Hi cynthiadiane,

   First let me assure you that a splinter or thorn will not travel to
another part of your body. The splinter would be trapped in the
traumatized tissue by  cells that have died in the line of duty and
fibrin strands!

  As the cartoon movie on the following site depicts, a lot will go on
below the skin when an invader appears! The first line of defense will
be a differential type of white blood cells called  “phagocytes”
(phago means “to eat”) which will attempt to engulf any foreign body. 
Granulocytes and basophils, other forms of white blood cells produce
kinins and histamines, in an attempt to further dissolve the splinter.
Other compounds come into play next: hydrogen peroxide and lysozymes,
substances produced by white blood and tissue cells in attempt to
further break down the weakened invader. T-lymphoctes may come in next
with a specific immune response (antibodies). These processes may
occur numerous times.  Finally, fibrin, a naturally produced fibrous
protein, will engulf the splinter/thorn.

http://www.cellsalive.com/ouch1.htm


  Since you have had this splinter/thorn for 12 years without
incident, it has probably been long digested by your body. If traces
of the splinter/thorn remain, and it does begin to bother you, please
visit your doctor. She/he may wish to excise it to avoid any future
infection. The fact that you had no infection or problem at the time
of injury indicates the splinter/thorn was not badly contaminated
and/or you have a strong immune system! Our bodies (when they work
properly) are wonderful self-healers!



As you know, splinters left in do not grow into a
tree!http://cameodesigns.com/superstitions2.html


For more information on the entire splinter-digesting process, visit
these sites:

This next site is a bit stubborn…if it does not appear the first try,
please try a second or third time. (The information is worth the
trouble!)
http://us.geocities.com/alliaria/rec11.html


http://www.amershamhealth.com/medcyclopaedia/Volume%20III%201/FOREIGN%20BODY%20MUSCULOSKELETAL.asp

http://www.ncemi.org/cse/cse1108.htm

http://www.lsic.ucla.edu/classes/mimg/robinson/micro6/m6webnotes/16Innate.htm

http://medtech.cls.msu.edu/ISL/immunology/opsonize.htm


Hope this answers your question. If not, please ask for an answer
clarification and I’ll be glad to respond.

Regards,
crabcakes-ga

Search strategy:

Subcutaneous foreign body
Embedded splinter
Old Wives’ Tales

Five stars plus.  The answer is interesting, stimulating and a lot of
fun.  Great humor.  Glad I asked here instead of my doctor!

Thank you for the rating and the tip! Much appreciated! Glad you were
pleased with your answer!
Regards, crabcakes-ga