Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Use duct tape
• Method 2 of 3: Remove particles with tweezers and a needle
• Method 3 of 3: Observe the damaged area
• Tips

Fiberglass products surround us on all sides. Fiberglass mineral wool is used for heat and sound insulation. Fiberglass is used in airplanes, ships, curtains, structural materials and some plastics. Fiberglass is made up of very thin, hard glass filaments that are often added to other materials such as wool. If in contact with the skin, these threads can cause severe irritation. If you are working with fiberglass, then you should know how to remove small particles from your skin.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Use duct tape

1. 1 Find a well-lit area and a magnifying glass. In bright light, it will be easier for you to remove fine needles trapped in your skin. Fiberglass is composed of white or light yellow filaments. These threads are difficult to see in the skin.
2. 2 Find a roll of sturdy duct tape. You will need duct tape or duct tape that is strong enough to prevent tearing when pulled from your skin. To get the fiberglass particles better adhered to the tape, it can be properly lubricated with glue.
3. 3 Do not wash the damaged area. This method assumes that the fiberglass needles will firmly adhere to the tape. The water will soften the fibers and make them harder to pull out of the skin.
4. 4 Apply the tape to the spot where the fiberglass got in. Press it firmly against your skin for a few minutes. In this case, the adhesive tape should adhere tightly to the skin and fiberglass threads.
5. 5 Try to pull the tape away from the skin in one smooth motion. Do not jerk too hard to avoid damaging your skin. If you rip off the top layer of the skin, it will be even more difficult to pull out the fibers. Grab the tape as close to the skin as possible and pull it up to release it. You may need to do this several times.
   • Please note that the tape you are using is not designed for this purpose, so be careful when removing it from your skin.
   • Inspect the damaged area in good light and use a magnifying glass to make sure all fibers are pulled out. Run your clean hand over the skin to check if you feel any hard needles. If you feel something sharp, then there are fiberglass particles in the skin.
6. 6 After you have removed all particles, wash your skin with soap and water. Blot the damaged area with a towel to dry the skin faster. Then apply an antibacterial ointment such as Neomycin to prevent infection.
   • Bacteria and other microorganisms are almost always present on the surface of the skin. Fiberglass particles leave tiny holes in the skin through which germs can penetrate the skin, which can lead to infection.

Method 2 of 3: Remove particles with tweezers and a needle

1. 1 Wash your hands with soap and water. Various microbes are almost always present on the surface of the skin. If they enter the skin through the holes left by the fiberglass threads, an infection can begin.
   • If fiberglass particles are caught in the palm of your hand, skip this step to avoid driving them deeper.
2. 2 Be careful when cleaning the damaged area. Fiberglass strands break easily. Try not to break the ends of the threads that protrude above the skin and do not drive them deeper into the skin. Pour soapy water over the affected area and do not rub the skin to avoid driving the needles deeper.
   • Pour water into a container, rub the soap between your wet palms, and dip them into the water. Repeat until the water is soapy. If the fiberglass gets into your palm, ask someone to help you.
   • Those microbes that were on the surface of the skin will also be on the fiberglass particles. When you remove the particles, there is a danger that these germs will get under the skin.
3. 3 Clean the tweezers and sharp needle with rubbing alcohol. Find tweezers with sharp points to grab the fiberglass strands more easily. However, remember that bacteria are present on all surfaces. The rubbing alcohol will get rid of germs so you don't get them under your skin as you pull out the fibers.
   • Medical (ethyl) alcohol kills microbes by dissolving their outer protective shell. As a result, the microbes disintegrate and die.
4. 4 Find a well-lit area and a magnifying glass. In bright light, it will be easier for you to remove fine needles trapped in your skin. Fiberglass is made up of white or yellow filaments. These threads are difficult to see in the skin.
5. 5 Pull the threads out gently with tweezers. Use tweezers to grasp the tips of the needles that protrude from the skin and slowly pull them out of the skin. Try not to drive the threads deeper. If the thread barely protrudes from the skin, pry it up with the tip of the needle.
   • Using an alcohol-disinfected sewing needle, gently lift the skin or pierce the uppermost layer to reach the deeply penetrated particle.Then grab the particle with tweezers and pull it out of the skin.
   • Be patient - it may take several tries to pull the thread out of the skin. Fiberglass strands can be very thin. If you are unable to pull out the particles with tweezers and a needle, try using duct tape.
6. 6 Squeeze the skin after removing all the fiberglass. Bleeding helps flush out any germs that have entered your skin. This is another way to avoid infection.
7. 7 Wash the affected area again with soap and water. Then pat dry your skin with a towel and apply an antibacterial ointment such as Neomycin. There is no need to apply a bandage.

Method 3 of 3: Observe the damaged area

1. 1 Watch for reddening where the fiberglass got in. After a while, you will be able to distinguish between a simple skin irritation and an infection, which require different treatments.
   • Once the fiberglass gets into your skin, it can become inflamed. In this case, symptoms such as redness, severe itching and small, shallow wounds will appear. Over time, the inflammation will subside. Try not to work with fiberglass during the healing period. To relieve skin irritation, apply a steroid cream with hydrocortisone or petroleum jelly to the affected area.
   • If the redness is accompanied by an elevated skin temperature and / or purulent discharge, this indicates a possible infection. See your doctor and see if you should take antibiotics.
2. 2 Seek medical attention if fiberglass strands remain in the skin. Even if skin irritation does not appear immediately, it may occur later. See a doctor to remove the fiberglass particles.
   • If you suspect an infection has entered your skin, see your doctor as soon as possible.
3. 3 Protect yourself from fiberglass in the future. Wear gloves and other protective clothing to keep fiberglass particles away from your skin. If fibers do come in contact with your skin, do not rub or scratch it. When handling fiberglass, avoid touching your eyes and face. Wear safety goggles and a gauze bandage or respirator to keep fiberglass particles out of your eyes and lungs.
   • If you brush and scrape the skin, fiberglass strands can penetrate. Instead, rinse your skin under running water.
   • After finishing handling fiberglass, wash your hands thoroughly and remove and wash work clothing immediately. Wash it separately from other items to avoid getting any fiberglass particles.
   • Wear long-sleeved pants and clothing to protect your skin. This will reduce the risk of fiberglass particles getting on your skin and causing irritation.
   • If fiberglass particles get into your eyes, rinse them for at least 15 minutes with cold water. Don't rub your eyes. If irritation persists after rinsing your eyes, seek medical attention.

Tips

• Sometimes it is enough to soak the damaged area in cold or cool water to soften the fiberglass particles and fall out of the skin. Don't rub your skin. Find a well-lit area and use a magnifying glass to check for any fiberglass particles left in your skin. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
• Remove the coarse fiberglass strands with duct tape. Then rub your skin with your pantyhose to get rid of any remaining small particles.