South Tampa Immediate Care Performs Foreign Body Removal in Tampa, FL
A foreign body is an external object, such as a pine needle or fish hook, or a small piece of wood, glass, metal, plastic, or pencil lead, that gets embedded in the soft tissue beneath the skin. If you’ve ever had a splinter, you’ve had an experience with a foreign body, which is simply something that is stuck inside your body that isn’t supposed to be there.
Usually, foreign bodies that become lodged in soft tissue don’t cause any serious harm. However, if left in place or improperly removed, an external object can sometimes cause infection or damage surrounding tissues. For this reason, it’s important to seek professional medical attention as soon as possible – don’t attempt to remove a foreign body yourself! At South Tampa Immediate Care, we perform safe and fast foreign body removal from soft tissue in Tampa, Florida.
How is a foreign body removed from soft tissue?
At South Tampa Immediate Care, foreign body removal may involve:
- Performing an X-ray on site to identify the precise location and size of the foreign object
- Numbing the affected area
- Gently removing the foreign body with a special tool, such as a small clamp or scalpel
If the removal process creates a break in the skin, we’ll apply a topical antibiotic and provide instructions on how to keep the area clean and dry as it heals. Also, if appropriate, we can prescribe an oral antibiotic and/or provide a tetanus shot. Following a foreign body removal, you should contact us immediately if you have a fever, your wound becomes red or swollen or drains pus, or you experience pain at the treatment site.
If you have questions about foreign body removal, you are welcome to call or visit South Tampa Immediate Care. Our office is located at 602 South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL, and we’re open seven days a week. No appointments are necessary.
