What should I do if a fish bone gets stuck in the nail fold?

Generally, when a fish bone gets stuck in the fingernail groove, it should be properly treated promptly to prevent infection. Common measures include immediately stopping any squeezing, rinsing with clean water, using tweezers to remove superficially embedded bones, disinfecting to prevent infection, and avoiding irritants to promote healing. Specific recommendations are as follows:

1. Immediately stop squeezing: Once a fish bone puncture is noticed, do not press or squeeze the area forcefully with your hands, as this may drive the bone deeper and damage the local skin barrier, increasing the risk of bacterial infection. Keep the hand steady and avoid putting pressure on the injured finger to prevent secondary injury caused by bone displacement.

2. Rinse and clean with water: Gently rinse the affected finger under running water for at least one minute. Use the water flow to wash away dirt and surface bacteria from the nail groove, reducing the risk of infection. While rinsing, gently lift the edge of the nail to ensure water reaches around the area of the fish bone, but avoid vigorous rubbing.

3. Use tweezers to remove shallow bones: If the end of the fish bone is visible outside the nail and the penetration is shallow, first disinfect the tweezers and the local area of the finger with alcohol. Then, carefully grasp the exposed end of the bone with the tweezers and slowly pull it out along the direction it entered. Movements should be gentle to avoid tearing the nail or skin. Do not attempt removal if the fish bone is completely embedded or deeply lodged.

4. Disinfect to prevent infection: Regardless of whether the fish bone is successfully removed, disinfection of the nail groove and surrounding skin is essential. Wipe the area with iodophor solution first, allow it to dry, then apply antibiotic ointments such as mupirocin ointment, fusidic acid cream, or compound polymyxin B ointment as directed by a healthcare provider. This helps create a protective barrier and prevents bacterial growth.

5. Avoid irritation to promote healing: During recovery, keep the injured finger away from contaminated water, oil, or other pollutants. Avoid using the affected finger for gripping or friction-inducing activities. Keep the nail groove as dry as possible and wear loose, breathable gloves to minimize local friction and support optimal wound healing.

Wear gloves for protection when handling small foreign objects in daily life. If the fish bone is deeply embedded and cannot be removed independently, or if symptoms such as redness, swelling, or pus occur, seek prompt medical attention for professional treatment. Maintaining good hand hygiene and regularly trimming nails can help reduce the risk of foreign body injuries.