Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Piece of lead stuck in my arm?

Earlier today I acc. stabbed myself with a pencil in my arm and a piece of lead broke off. I already know about lead poisoning, so I cleaned it out with disinfecting soap and water. Would it be okay to just leave it? Or should I just dig it out with a needle. Right now, I think I should just get it out, but what do you guys think? It is a covered by a bit of skin and I don't really want to shove a needle in my arm and dig it out.

Update:

Thanks for adding there made of graphite. I did not know that :(

Anyways, do any of you think it would be fine to leave it for a few days to see if it comes out?

5 Answers

Relevance
  • ?
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    doctor, but usually pencils aren't made of lead for safety purposes

    hope i helped

  • 1 decade ago

    Modern pencil leads are actually made of graphite, so there's not really a risk of lead poisoning. However, it would probably be best to remove the lead, since it's possible the wound will become infected unless the foreign object is removed and the wound is cleaned properly. I'd try the needle if I were you. Otherwise, the lead will probably work its own way out over the next couple days, though it might be unpleasant because of the likelihood of infection forming during that time. Good luck!

  • keiko
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    The lead in a lead pencil is graphite. You won't get lead poisoning from a lead splinter, either. I'd just leave it and see if it comes out on its own. If it starts to get infected, you can remove it. I tend to remove only if it is bothering me, but my husband is more aggressive and sometimes does the cutting of the skin above the splinter for me. Your only worry is infection.

  • 5 years ago

    present day pencil leads are honestly produced from graphite, so there's no longer possibly achievable of lead poisoning. even if, it may be appropriate to get rid of the lead, using fact that is conceivable the wound will grow to be contaminated till the distant places merchandise is bumped off and the wound is wiped clean good. i'd try the needle if I have been you. otherwise, the lead will possibly artwork its very own way out over the subsequent couple days, nevertheless it might desire to be grotesque using possibility of an infection forming for the time of that factor. stable success!

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 1 decade ago

    Yeah take it out.. my friend once made the mistake of not doing so and now he's got a piece of lead permanently stuck in his thumb.. =/

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.