Fiberglass is all around us. Fiberglass is an extremely fine glass composite element. Such fibers can infiltrate the outer skin layer, contribute to pain and rash. Getting your skin cut with fiberglass is itchy, painful and irritating, and can ruin your entire day completely! Fiberglass is present in bathtubs, boat hulls, shower stalls, kayaks, etc. Fiberglass is made of thin glass fibers combined with thread or other things. These are so thin strands that you can’t see them with your naked eye. While going out, you should prefer wearing long pants, coats, socks, and thick gloves to avoid skin contact with fiberglass. Sometimes fiberglass gets stuck in your skin even after wearing proper garments. If they get under the surface, you’ll feel pain and frustration. Skin contact, breathing and swallowing can result in exposure to fiberglass. Before knowing how to get fiberglass out of skin, we should first know its symptoms.
Symptoms of fiberglass in skin
The fiberglass allergy doesn’t show the symptoms instantly. It takes 12-72 hours to experience the original symptoms after fiberglass exposure. The symptoms may differ from person to person, but some of the most common symptoms include –
- Dry skin
- Itching
- Skin irritation
- Skin hives
- Blisters on the infected area
- Sun sensitivity
- Sneezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing attacks
To find out if the fiberglass is in your skin or not, you have to check for its symptoms. If you have acne, skin irritation, swelling, etc. that persists for a couple of days, then these symptoms can be due to fiberglass infection. Contact your dermatologist as soon as possible if you continue to have moderate to serious skin or breathing problems.
Tips on how to remove fiberglass from skin
· Use duct tape
If you can’t bear the skin pain and irritation due to fiberglass infection, then you can reduce these symptoms with the help of heavy, sticky tape. The minute particles of fiberglass can’t be seen through naked eyes. First, wash your affected area with water and dry it. Now press the tape firmly for several minutes so that the tape makes good contact with your skin. Now pull off the tape in one go. This way, you can get rid of those fiberglass particles. Test the region under the light or magnifying glass to ensure that all fiberglasses are gone. Clean the area closely. If you experience something tender or hard, then this might be a sign that fiberglass is still there.
· Baby powder
For many things, baby powder is good. This product is good for filling and reducing discomfort caused due to fiber-glass on a part of your body. While you work, it’s even easier way to cover exposed body parts with baby powder. Our specialists say when skin pores are covered with baby powder, it is prevented from fiberglass. If you get fiberglass in your skin by accident, the affected area should not be scratched or rubbed. The resistance to itching, since it is serious, is naturally uncontrollable. But it will cause more itching if you scratch. Scratching can intensify the redness and can even contribute to a slight blister. To avoid itching you must stop scratching and use baby powder to reduce the itching sensation. It is one of the most effective tips on how to remove fiberglass insulation from skin.
· Use tweezers/needle
If your skin has got infected due to fiberglass, then you must take the help of tweezers or needle. The first thing, you need to do is clean your infected area with antibacterial soap or liquid. Now take a sterilized needle or tweezers to push the layer of infected skin aside. While removing the fiberglass, use a magnifying glass and good lighting, as the fiberglass particles are very minute. When you finally make it possible to remove fiberglass, apply the antibiotic ointment to the skin.
· Epson Salt Hot Bath
Put a small amount of Epsom salt into the boiling water. It might be a great way to get rid of the fiberglass from your skin. Let the salt disintegrate into the boiling water and use the mixture during a warm bath. In the Epsom salt water soak the affected skin areas for a minimum of 30 minutes. Thoroughly rinse your skin with water to remove any remaining fibers. For more benefits, take a cold water bath to remove your pores.
· Rub nylon fiber
Rubbing nylon fiber is one of the best remedies for the removal of fiberglass from your skin. It if no doubt one of the best tips on how to remove fiberglass from your skin. Take a shower with warm water so that the pores of your skin get open. Now, gently scrape nylon on the infected skin area. When you rub nylon fiber, it holds the fiberglass and thereby removes it from the skin. After all of these, use baby oil or lotion in the region. This calms the area affected by scrapping which might turn red and lets you get rid of scratching fiberglass as well.
· Baking soda paste
Baking soda is a miraculous thing for our skin. When your body gets infected with fiberglass, try baking soda paste for the most amazing results. Take a bowl and put 1 tablespoonful of baking soda in it. Now mix some drops of water in it with your fingers. Make sure the consistency of baking soda paste is thick. Now rub that paste on your skin slowly. This will provide you with instant relief as baking soda has antiseptic properties.
· Prevention is better than cure
In order to avoid any serious skin condition, you should always prevent yourself. Things such as suits, dust masks and eye shields can save a lot of irritation and pain. Therefore, it is the only step I know that will work in advance. Fiberglass in skin can be prevented by wearing proper clothing and masks.
· Seek medical help
If any remedy isn’t working to help you get rid of fiberglass infection, then it’s important to take the medical help as early as possible. Before the condition gets worse, you should consult a dermatologist for the treatment. Avoiding your skin condition may lead to some serious fiberglass rash and other skin condition.