Did You Step on Broken Glass? Here’s How to Safely Get It Out of Your Foot

Broken glass can be tiny shards that resemble invisible splinters or big, sharp chunks. But whatever form, one thing is guaranteed: If you step on it, it’s going to hurt — and you’re going to want that piece of glass out ASAP.

Urgent care physician Allan Capin, MD, explains how to safely get glass out of your foot yourself, and when you might need to see an expert.

Steps to remove glass from your foot

If you’ve got a piece of glass stuck in your foot, you may be able to remove it yourself. If you’re feeling calm enough to attempt your own glass-removal procedure, here’s how to do it:

1. Scrub up. Begin by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then, gently wash off any dirt or debris from your injured foot without disturbing the stuck glass. “If your hands or feet are dirty, your risk of infection increases,” warns Dr. Capin.
2. Get a visual. Examine the wound, using a magnifying glass if necessary. “Only attempt to remove a piece of glass if you can clearly see it,” he advises. “Digging for a shard you can’t see might push it farther into your foot and make your injury worse.”
3. Soak your foot. Get a bucket or large bowl and fill it with warm water. Then, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. “Soaking your foot for 20 minutes may draw the glass out,” notes Dr. Capin. Another bonus? The warm water also may help reduce inflammation and pain.
4. Sterilize your tweezers. Tweezers are the best tool for removing glass, but they need to be germ-free. “Apply rubbing alcohol all over the tweezers and let them air dry,” he instructs.
5. Get the glass. Grasp the piece of glass with the tweezers, being careful not to gouge your skin. “Gently pull the glass out at the same angle it entered,” Dr. Capin says. “If you pull it out in another direction, it will be harder and more painful to remove.”
6. Clean the wound. If you were able to remove the entire piece of glass, start cleaning any damage it left behind. “Wash the injury again with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage,” he says.

Will glass work its way out?

Not too keen on removing the glass yourself? Your body may push the glass out itself — but that’s hardly a guarantee.

“A tiny piece of glass near the surface of your skin might come out on its own over a few days,” explains Dr. Capin. (Soaking your foot for 20 minutes a day might help speed up that process, too.)

Try the “wait-and-see” option if the glass is deep in your skin. But in that case, chances are, it’s not coming out on its own. “You also should not use this method if you have diabetes, since foot wounds can complicate quickly and become more serious,” he cautions.

Other risks with this approach include:

• Infection. Even a tiny sliver of glass can lead to an infection if germs get inside and break in your skin. “Symptoms of infection include fever, redness, swelling, warmth and pus,” says Dr. Capin. “If you notice any of these signs, contact your provider.”
• Pain. Consider how easily you can walk around with glass in your foot. (Ouch!) “Many people choose not to leave the glass in their foot because it hurts too much,” he notes.
• Tissue damage. A piece of embedded glass can damage surrounding tissue and nerves, leading to more pain down the road.
• Abscess. Your body may form an abscess — or infected pocket of pus — around the glass. “An abscess is painful and requires medical care,” explains Dr. Capin.

What if you can’t get all the glass out?

If the broken glass in your foot is unreachable or you just don’t want to attempt removing it, you have two options:

• Leave it (for now). If the piece of glass is small and you don’t see any signs of infection, you can leave it — but be aware of the risks. “A tiny piece of glass near the surface may be OK to leave for a day or two,” says Dr. Capin. “But watch carefully for signs of an infection and seek medical care if it doesn’t come out on its own.”
• See a provider. Your primary care provider may remove the glass or they may recommend you go to urgent care or an emergency room. “Healthcare providers can remove the shard safely to help prevent pain, infection and further injury,” he adds. “They’ll also tell you how to care for the wound so it heals as quickly as possible.”

Bottom line? If you can’t remove the glass yourself, don’t be afraid to call a medical provider.

“They can advise you on next steps, such as coming into the office or going to an urgent care facility,” reassures Dr. Capin. “And you’ll have peace of mind when you know an expert got it all out.”