Removal of cactus spines from the skin. A comparative evaluation of several methods.
The removal of very fine cactus spines from the skin is particularly distressing for the pediatric patient. We describe two typical patients and a study in experimental animals comparing the effectiveness of several previously described methods for removal. The most effective method involved using tweezers to remove clumps of spines followed by a thin layer of glue covered with gauze, which was allowed to dry and then peeled off to remove individual spines. Attempts to use adhesive tape or a thin layer of a commercial facial mask to aid in removal of the spines produced more retention and inflammation three days after removal than no treatment.
Martinez
T T
TT
St Louis College of Pharmacy, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, MO.
Jerome
M
M
Barry
R C
RC
Jaeger
R
R
Xander
J G
JG
D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D010944:Plants; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin