Splinters from treated post.

[treebucker]

We removed some 6x6 treated posts from a dairy barn last fall.  A neighbor was sliding one in a post hole when he got a long splinter in his upper forearm. He pulled it out but it started to swell. A couple of days later he went to the doctor and got some mediicine. There seems to be some confusion here but the nurse said it was not a splinter that caused the problem. Anyway, several weeks have past and he now has a ~1" knot around where the deepest part of the splinter was and he is having trouble with his thumb. He is scheduled to see a specialist this week.

I have heard of others having severe problems with splinters from treated lumber. I was wondering if any of you have experienced anything like this. I live in an area that has world-class medical care but I feel my neighbor has run into a case of inexperience with the problems associated with splinters from treated lumber.

[DanG]

I'd be interested to know what they eventually find out, treebucker.  Wood treatment chemicals are plenty nasty, but there are other factors that could be causing the problem.  The environment the wood had been in is one, and it could be from the physical damage caused by the splinter.  An infection could be causing the knot, which could be pressing on a nerve going to the thumb. Lots of possibilities...keep us posted.

[beenthere]

There may still be part of the splinter in the arm. And there is a reaction to that foreign piece. Doubt it has anything to do with the wood treatment, but probably is associated with the splinter initially being in there (carrying whatever that was on the wood from being in a dairy barn - thinking ecoli here or BS (bovine scat)).

[woodmills1]

splinters from hemlock will do that all by themselves.  Still have a small lump from one.

[Larry]

Retiree from a utility company here.  Splinters from treated poles were a common occurrence for anybody on a line crew.  A few of the unfortunate lineman burnt poles...by that I mean they slid down a pole with there arms wrapped around the pole while there chest and stomach got filled with splinters.  Healing was sometimes slow but I can't remember anybody with unusual or really serious complications.

[submarinesailor]

I had one that broke off in the back of my right thigh.  Climbed up on to the hand rail beside the kitchen door, was in a hurry, not paying close enough attention and ran about 2" into the thigh.  When I pulled it out, I thought I had all of it – NOT.  Started looked kind of funny after about 3 days.  The doctor pulled an other 3/4" out of the hole.  She was not happy that I didn't come in right away – what do doctors know anyways. : : : :  Cleared right up after she packed it full of antibiotics. ;D ;D ;D

Bruce

[treebucker]

I talked with him last weekend. He didn't see the specialist. He said he couldn't afford it. He still has the knot so we'll have to wait and see.

[isawlogs]

 I hope he gets treatment soon . I dont see how anybody can think that the chemicals they put on the wood to treat it can not be harmful , I have had clean wood splinters , and I have had treated wood splinters ... ask your friend to see another doctor and get that opened up and cleaned .

[rebocardo]

I had to cut open small minor sites that still had the very tip of the splinter in it to heal. That big knot is not going to go away and he can not afford to leave it there. Why get a blood disease related illness and even death (heart infection) over a splinter?

If he can not afford to go to the doctor's he has to remove it himself. Sharp clean razor blade will do it along with alcohol. Wash out with water and then pour the alcohol in. It will hurt. If he has a thumb problem from this he has waited too long already and I would worry about nerve damage on anything he does now short of a doctor.

I know someone (mechanic) that waited on a splinter like this, woke up one morning with a suddenly swollen arm and a huge red track up to his arm pit. He almost lost his whole arm from a metal splinter and it cost a lot more for that and the first doctor's visit would have >:(

[Raphael]

Treated wood is the worst splinter you can get as far as infection.
It takes a pretty nasty bug to hang with all those nasty chemicals.

Thumb problems sound like the tip of the splinter is working on a nerve.
Hard to get things done without an opposable thumb.

[Engineer]

Treated wood is BAD STUFF if you get a splinter.  He needs to have that looked at ASAP, or not being able to afford it will be the least of his problems.

[snowman]

The timing of this thread is perfect as i sit her with my finger all wrapped up.Last week I got a sliver under my fingernail,no big deal, ouch. Over the week it got more and more sore. By Saturday morning my finger tip was so swollen and black that my nail was barely visible.I went to the minor emergency place where the doc lanced and drained my finger, very messy and painful. apparently I have some antibiotic resistant bacteria and am currently taking some super drug that kills every bacteria in your body.They say to expect and feel nausious the entire 2 weeks I have to take it.Doc said if Id of waited another day it would of got into my blood stream and lympnhodes and Id be in the hospital.This infection stuffs nothing to mess around with.And I'm done milling for a while. Putting my hand in a dark wet glove is not allowed.DANG!