How to remove a splinter: Methods and tips

Splinters are small fragments of material that become embedded in the skin. Often, a person can remove a splinter at home using tweezers or duct tape. Applying some substances, such as Epsom salts or honey, may also help.

This article covers simple methods to remove a splinter and explains when a person should seek medical attention.

It is possible to remove a splinter at home using one of several methods. In general, the steps to removing a splinter are:

1. Wash and dry the area around the splinter.
2. For a small splinter, use a magnifying glass to determine its size and entry point.
3. Remove the splinter with sanitized tweezers, if possible.
4. Wash and dry the area again and apply a bandage.

However, the best method for removing a splinter will depend on:

• the location of the splinter
• how deep the splinter is
• the size of the splinter
• the direction of the splinter

Below are the most common methods for getting rid of a splinter:

Most people with a small, easy-to-access splinter will use tweezers to remove it. Tweezers make it possible to pinch the splinter and pull it out.

This method involves:

• disinfecting the tweezers with rubbing alcohol
• pinching the end of the splinter between the tweezer’s arms
• pulling the splinter out gently and slowly

Duct tape is a very strong tape that can help remove a deeper splinter.

A person can use duct tape to remove a splinter by:

• cleaning the area thoroughly
• applying duct tape to the splinter
• waiting about 30 minutes
• pulling the tape off

If this method does not work the first time, it is worth trying again.

When the splinter has fully punctured the skin, and no part of the material is visible, an individual may be able to expose part of it using a needle. Having exposed part of the splinter, they can then use the tweezers to remove it.

A person can remove a splinter using a needle and tweezers by:

• disinfecting both the needle and tweezers with rubbing alcohol
• puncturing the skin with the needle over the part of the splinter closest to the surface
• pinching the splinter with the tweezers and pulling it out gently and slowly

Numbing the area beforehand with ice wrapped in a thin cloth may help reduce any discomfort.

While this method still needs medical testing, some people try soaking the area in a solution to draw out a buried splinter.

Some commonly used solutions include:

• hydrogen peroxide
• Epsom salt mixed with water
• baking soda mixed with water
• lavender oil
• honey
• warm water

Using one of these solutions, a person can try to remove the splinter by:

• soaking the splinter in the liquid for a few minutes
• using a sanitized pair of tweezers to remove the splinter once it has surfaced

However, if a splinter is completely beneath the skin, it is usually best for someone to contact a doctor to arrange removal.

If a small splinter is close to the skin’s surface and does not cause pain, a person can often leave it in. Natural skin shedding will typically remove it in time.

However, if there is pain, skin discoloration, swelling, or pus in the area around the splinter, it could indicate an infection. In this instance, an individual should contact a medical professional to remove the splinter and treat any infections.

People should remove splinters of wood, thorns, spines, and vegetative foreign objects as soon as possible because they contain substances that can result in inflammation and infection. Glass, metal, or plastic splinters do not carry as much risk.

Wounds containing foreign objects may also carry bacteria that cause tetanus, a rare condition that may be fatal without proper treatment. The symptoms of tetanus include difficulty opening the mouth, painful muscle spasms, and fever.

A person with a splinter may need a tetanus booster vaccination if they have not had one in over 10 years.

In some cases, even if a person is up-to-date on their tetanus vaccination, a doctor may recommend an additional treatment with tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) to treat this type of wound. TIG contains antibodies that destroy tetanus bacteria.

It is important for a person to assess their wound before choosing a removal method. Things to look for include:

• Is part of the splinter sticking out?
• Where is the splinter located?
• In which direction is the splinter going?

Before getting started, a person should thoroughly wash their hands with soapy water and sanitize any equipment they plan to use, such as tweezers. Always clean the wound after removal to help avoid infection.

If available, use a magnifying glass to help see the splinter. It is also possible to use a lamp or bright natural light from a window.

Finally, it is essential never to squeeze or pinch the skin around the splinter. Applying pressure can cause the splinter to break into more pieces or push further below the surface.

A person should seek medical attention when:

• there is discoloration around the splinter
• the area swells
• the wound is leaking pus
• the splinter is large
• the skin is warm to the touch
• the splinter is near the eye
• the wound is excessively painful
• the splinter is stuck deep in the skin

Below are some common questions about removing splinters:

How do you bring a splinter to the surface?

A splinter that is not deeply embedded can be brought to the skin’s surface using a sterilized needle or tweezers.

How do you remove an embedded splinter?

If the entire splinter is embedded just under the skin, a person can use a sterilized needle to gently pierce the skin’s surface and push out an end of the splinter. They will often then be able to remove the splinter with tweezers. Embedded splinters that are large or deep often require professional help to remove.

Can you soak a splinter out?

In an effort to bring a splinter to the surface, some people soak the area around it for a few minutes in a solution such as hydrogen peroxide, Epsom salt mixed with water, or baking soda mixed with water.

What is the fastest way to remove a splinter?

The fastest way to remove a partially embedded splinter in the skin is to pull it out using duct tape or sterilized tweezers.

A splinter is a common but painful injury that is usually easy to treat at home. Before removing a splinter, a person should follow proper precautions, such as washing their hands and sanitizing any equipment.

Individuals should ask a medical professional to remove the splinter if it is very large, is positioned near the eye, or appears infected.

Read the article in Spanish.

How to remove a splinter: Methods and tips

Splinters are small fragments of material that become embedded in the skin. Often, a person can remove a splinter at home using tweezers or duct tape. Applying some substances, such as Epsom salts or honey, may also help.

This article covers simple methods to remove a splinter and explains when a person should seek medical attention.

It is possible to remove a splinter at home using one of several methods. In general, the steps to removing a splinter are:

1. Wash and dry the area around the splinter.
2. For a small splinter, use a magnifying glass to determine its size and entry point.
3. Remove the splinter with sanitized tweezers, if possible.
4. Wash and dry the area again and apply a bandage.

However, the best method for removing a splinter will depend on:

• the location of the splinter
• how deep the splinter is
• the size of the splinter
• the direction of the splinter

Below are the most common methods for getting rid of a splinter:

Most people with a small, easy-to-access splinter will use tweezers to remove it. Tweezers make it possible to pinch the splinter and pull it out.

This method involves:

• disinfecting the tweezers with rubbing alcohol
• pinching the end of the splinter between the tweezer’s arms
• pulling the splinter out gently and slowly

Duct tape is a very strong tape that can help remove a deeper splinter.

A person can use duct tape to remove a splinter by:

• cleaning the area thoroughly
• applying duct tape to the splinter
• waiting about 30 minutes
• pulling the tape off

If this method does not work the first time, it is worth trying again.

When the splinter has fully punctured the skin, and no part of the material is visible, an individual may be able to expose part of it using a needle. Having exposed part of the splinter, they can then use the tweezers to remove it.

A person can remove a splinter using a needle and tweezers by:

• disinfecting both the needle and tweezers with rubbing alcohol
• puncturing the skin with the needle over the part of the splinter closest to the surface
• pinching the splinter with the tweezers and pulling it out gently and slowly

Numbing the area beforehand with ice wrapped in a thin cloth may help reduce any discomfort.

While this method still needs medical testing, some people try soaking the area in a solution to draw out a buried splinter.

Some commonly used solutions include:

• hydrogen peroxide
• Epsom salt mixed with water
• baking soda mixed with water
• lavender oil
• honey
• warm water

Using one of these solutions, a person can try to remove the splinter by:

• soaking the splinter in the liquid for a few minutes
• using a sanitized pair of tweezers to remove the splinter once it has surfaced

However, if a splinter is completely beneath the skin, it is usually best for someone to contact a doctor to arrange removal.

If a small splinter is close to the skin’s surface and does not cause pain, a person can often leave it in. Natural skin shedding will typically remove it in time.

However, if there is pain, skin discoloration, swelling, or pus in the area around the splinter, it could indicate an infection. In this instance, an individual should contact a medical professional to remove the splinter and treat any infections.

People should remove splinters of wood, thorns, spines, and vegetative foreign objects as soon as possible because they contain substances that can result in inflammation and infection. Glass, metal, or plastic splinters do not carry as much risk.

Wounds containing foreign objects may also carry bacteria that cause tetanus, a rare condition that may be fatal without proper treatment. The symptoms of tetanus include difficulty opening the mouth, painful muscle spasms, and fever.

A person with a splinter may need a tetanus booster vaccination if they have not had one in over 10 years.

In some cases, even if a person is up-to-date on their tetanus vaccination, a doctor may recommend an additional treatment with tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) to treat this type of wound. TIG contains antibodies that destroy tetanus bacteria.

It is important for a person to assess their wound before choosing a removal method. Things to look for include:

• Is part of the splinter sticking out?
• Where is the splinter located?
• In which direction is the splinter going?

Before getting started, a person should thoroughly wash their hands with soapy water and sanitize any equipment they plan to use, such as tweezers. Always clean the wound after removal to help avoid infection.

If available, use a magnifying glass to help see the splinter. It is also possible to use a lamp or bright natural light from a window.

Finally, it is essential never to squeeze or pinch the skin around the splinter. Applying pressure can cause the splinter to break into more pieces or push further below the surface.

A person should seek medical attention when:

• there is discoloration around the splinter
• the area swells
• the wound is leaking pus
• the splinter is large
• the skin is warm to the touch
• the splinter is near the eye
• the wound is excessively painful
• the splinter is stuck deep in the skin

Below are some common questions about removing splinters:

How do you bring a splinter to the surface?

A splinter that is not deeply embedded can be brought to the skin’s surface using a sterilized needle or tweezers.

How do you remove an embedded splinter?

If the entire splinter is embedded just under the skin, a person can use a sterilized needle to gently pierce the skin’s surface and push out an end of the splinter. They will often then be able to remove the splinter with tweezers. Embedded splinters that are large or deep often require professional help to remove.

Can you soak a splinter out?

In an effort to bring a splinter to the surface, some people soak the area around it for a few minutes in a solution such as hydrogen peroxide, Epsom salt mixed with water, or baking soda mixed with water.

What is the fastest way to remove a splinter?

The fastest way to remove a partially embedded splinter in the skin is to pull it out using duct tape or sterilized tweezers.

A splinter is a common but painful injury that is usually easy to treat at home. Before removing a splinter, a person should follow proper precautions, such as washing their hands and sanitizing any equipment.

Individuals should ask a medical professional to remove the splinter if it is very large, is positioned near the eye, or appears infected.

Read the article in Spanish.

from finger, foot, heel, under the nail, in a child or adult

Article content:

• Causes of splinters
• Symptoms
• Methods for removing a shallow splinter
• Removal of deep and invisible splinters
• Splinter danger
• Treatment of complications after a splinter
• Wound care after a splinter
• Prophylaxis

A splinter is a foreign body that has entered under the skin. Every person has faced this problem at least once in their life. With a splinter, you need to properly provide medical care, otherwise it will fester. But not everyone knows how to pull out a splinter at home and in what cases you need to see a doctor.

Causes of splinters

Splinters most often affect people working with wood, metal and plants without protective clothing and special gloves. Conventionally, the causes of splinters can be divided into three groups:

1. Household. These include cases where a splinter appeared at home: for example, a person walked on a wooden floor or came into contact with small sharp objects. In children, splinters often dig into the skin of the palms, feet and finger phalanges.
2. Production. Joiners, carpenters, grinders, etc. often face such a problem. Most often, the hands suffer from splinters, but sometimes a foreign body can get into the skin of the face or other parts of the body. This is especially true for those who do not wear protective clothing and equipment.
3. Agricultural. Working with flowers, vegetables, and some plants can also lead to splinters. This is dangerous – tetanus pathogens can be found in the ground. If a person scratches the skin, then a wound forms on it, which can become the entrance gate for the development of a dangerous infection.

Symptoms

Common signs of a splinter:

• soreness;
• redness and swelling of the skin at the site of injury;
• tingling on pressure;
• trace with drops of blood.

If a splinter gets under the nail, then there is a strong throbbing pain. Pain is aggravated by pressing on the nail plate. If the wound is not treated in time, inflammation and suppuration will develop. In this case, pain, swelling and redness increase, and an abscess forms at the site of tissue damage.

Ways to remove a shallow splinter

You can remove a small splinter from your hand, finger, leg, under the nail and other parts of the body at home. Before proceeding with the removal of a foreign body, you need to properly prepare for the procedure:

1. Thoroughly clean the wound from dirt. To do this, it is enough to rinse the skin under clean warm water.
2. Blot the wound with a tissue to remove excess moisture. It is strictly forbidden to put pressure on the wound or rub it, as this will provoke the advancement of a splinter into the deeper layers of the skin.
3. Examine the splinter, determine what it consists of and how deep it is. You can use a magnifying glass for this.
4. Treat the wound with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection.

There are several ways to remove a shallow splinter:

1. Needle or tweezers. If one end of the foreign body sticks out, then it can be grabbed with tweezers and slowly pulled out. If the fragment is deeper, then you first need to break the epidermis with a needle, and then grab and remove the splinter with tweezers.
2. Soda. It is used to remove small fragments. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a teaspoon of water. The resulting mixture is applied to the wound and fixed with a band-aid. Within 4-5 hours, the skin will soften and become loose, and the fragment will come out on its own.
3. Wax or glue. It is better to use ordinary PVA glue. It must be applied to the wound and left to dry completely. After that, the adhesive layer is carefully removed along with the foreign body.
4. Steaming. In a deep container, mix 2 tablespoons of salt and a glass of hot water and steam the wound for 20-30 minutes. When the skin softens, it is wiped dry and gently pressed on the splinter – it will come out by itself.

Removal of deep and invisible splinters

It is better not to remove deep splinters yourself. If something is done wrong, it will only penetrate deeper into the skin. In cases where the injured area hurts, but the splinter is not visible, you should consult a doctor. In both situations, self-medication can exacerbate the problem. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to independently remove a splinter from the eye.

But if you need help quickly, here are a few ways to deal with deep and invisible splinters:

1. Compress. Apply a compress soaked in Ichthyol ointment, Levomikol or Vishnevsky ointment to the wound and leave for 6-7 hours. After a while, the foreign body will come out along with pus.
2. Removing glass shard. The glass shard should be removed from the body at the angle at which it entered the skin. First, spread the edges of the wound, grab the glass with tweezers and pull it out. Before this, treat the skin with an antiseptic.
3. Removal of a splinter in a child. To make the procedure painless, it is better to first steam the skin with hot water. Then you need to divert the attention of the child and quickly remove the foreign body with the tweezers.

If the splinter cannot be removed, go to the emergency room. Take your vaccination card with you, which shows the dates of vaccination against tetanus.

Danger of splinters

If the foreign body is not removed from the skin in time, the following complications will inevitably arise:

• pain will intensify, swelling and redness will appear;
• tissues become inflamed;
• suppuration and panaritium will begin – a purulent process in the tissues.

A splinter breaks the integrity of the skin, forming an open wound. This is the gateway for many infections that are transmitted by contact. One of the most dangerous is tetanus.

Treatment of complications after a splinter

Sometimes after removing a splinter, unpleasant symptoms persist. Most often there is soreness, swelling and redness. To improve well-being and quick healing, it is recommended:

• take an anti-inflammatory drug to relieve inflammation and pain;
• apply healing ointment;
• undergo a course of physiotherapy treatment.

If unpleasant symptoms persist for a long time or worsen, it is recommended to make an appointment with a doctor. You may need to drink a course of antibiotics or open the abscess to drain the pus and fully heal the tissues.

Wound care after a splinter

Wound care at home is aimed at accelerated healing and prevention of undesirable consequences. The injury site should be regularly treated with an antiseptic, a healing ointment applied and a band-aid worn. To prevent infection from getting into the wound, you need to make sure that the crust that forms at the site of the injury is not damaged.

Prevention

Simple recommendations will help prevent a splinter from getting into the body:

• use protective equipment during work: gloves, shoes, clothes, glasses;
• Minimize contact with small sharp objects;
• Do not walk barefoot on untreated wood.

Article published on : 12/22/2015
Last updated : 03/20/2023

See also

The history of dietary supplements

The history of dietary supplements began in the first half of the 20th century.

Office work and healthy habits

Do yoga and meditation daily, do not skip breakfast, eat small meals five times a day, spice up the diet with fruits and vegetables, go to bed on time …

The most harmful dishes on the New Year’s table

The New Year is just around the corner and tomorrow morning preparations for New Year’s Eve, calls, congratulations and gifts will begin.

Would you like us to call you back?

Leave a request and we will answer all your questions in detail!

Name

Phone *

from finger, foot, heel, under the nail, in a child or adult

Article content:

• Causes of splinters
• Symptoms
• Methods for removing a shallow splinter
• Removal of deep and invisible splinters
• Splinter danger
• Treatment of complications after a splinter
• Wound care after a splinter
• Prophylaxis

A splinter is a foreign body that has entered under the skin. Every person has faced this problem at least once in their life. With a splinter, you need to properly provide medical care, otherwise it will fester. But not everyone knows how to pull out a splinter at home and in what cases you need to see a doctor.

Causes of splinters

Splinters most often affect people who work with wood, metal and plants without protective clothing and special gloves. Conventionally, the causes of splinters can be divided into three groups:

1. Household. These include cases where a splinter appeared at home: for example, a person walked on a wooden floor or came into contact with small sharp objects. In children, splinters often dig into the skin of the palms, feet and finger phalanges.
2. Production. Joiners, carpenters, grinders, etc. often face such a problem. Most often, the hands suffer from splinters, but sometimes a foreign body can get into the skin of the face or other parts of the body. This is especially true for those who do not wear protective clothing and equipment.
3. Agricultural. Working with flowers, vegetables, and some plants can also lead to splinters. This is dangerous – tetanus pathogens can be found in the ground. If a person scratches the skin, then a wound forms on it, which can become the entrance gate for the development of a dangerous infection.

Symptoms

Common signs of a splinter:

• soreness;
• redness and swelling of the skin at the site of injury;
• tingling on pressure;
• trace with drops of blood.

If a splinter gets under the nail, then there is a strong throbbing pain. Pain is aggravated by pressing on the nail plate. If the wound is not treated in time, inflammation and suppuration will develop. In this case, pain, swelling and redness increase, and an abscess forms at the site of tissue damage.

Shallow splinter removal methods

You can remove a small splinter from the hand, from the finger, from the leg, from under the nail and other parts of the body at home. Before proceeding with the removal of a foreign body, you need to properly prepare for the procedure:

1. Thoroughly clean the wound from dirt. To do this, it is enough to rinse the skin under clean warm water.
2. Blot the wound with a tissue to remove excess moisture. It is strictly forbidden to put pressure on the wound or rub it, as this will provoke the advancement of a splinter into the deeper layers of the skin.
3. Examine the splinter, determine what it consists of and how deep it is. You can use a magnifying glass for this.
4. Treat the wound with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection.

There are several ways to remove a shallow splinter:

1. Needle or tweezers. If one end of the foreign body sticks out, then it can be grabbed with tweezers and slowly pulled out. If the fragment is deeper, then you first need to break the epidermis with a needle, and then grab and remove the splinter with tweezers.
2. Soda. It is used to remove small fragments. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a teaspoon of water. The resulting mixture is applied to the wound and fixed with a band-aid. Within 4-5 hours, the skin will soften and become loose, and the fragment will come out on its own.
3. Wax or glue. It is better to use ordinary PVA glue. It must be applied to the wound and left to dry completely. After that, the adhesive layer is carefully removed along with the foreign body.
4. Steaming. In a deep container, mix 2 tablespoons of salt and a glass of hot water and steam the wound for 20-30 minutes. When the skin softens, it is wiped dry and gently pressed on the splinter – it will come out by itself.

Removal of deep and invisible splinters

It is better not to remove deep splinters yourself. If something is done wrong, it will only penetrate deeper into the skin. In cases where the injured area hurts, but the splinter is not visible, you should consult a doctor. In both situations, self-medication can exacerbate the problem. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to independently remove a splinter from the eye.

But if you need help quickly, here are a few ways to deal with deep and invisible splinters:

1. Compress. Apply a compress soaked in Ichthyol ointment, Levomikol or Vishnevsky ointment to the wound and leave for 6-7 hours. After a while, the foreign body will come out along with pus.
2. Removing glass shard. The glass shard should be removed from the body at the angle at which it entered the skin. First, spread the edges of the wound, grab the glass with tweezers and pull it out. Before this, treat the skin with an antiseptic.
3. Removal of a splinter in a child. To make the procedure painless, it is better to first steam the skin with hot water. Then you need to divert the attention of the child and quickly remove the foreign body with the tweezers.

If the splinter cannot be removed, go to the emergency room. Take your vaccination card with you, which shows the dates of vaccination against tetanus.

Danger of splinters

If the foreign body is not removed from the skin in time, the following complications will inevitably arise:

• pain will intensify, swelling and redness will appear;
• tissues become inflamed;
• suppuration and panaritium will begin – a purulent process in the tissues.

A splinter breaks the integrity of the skin, forming an open wound. This is the gateway for many infections that are transmitted by contact. One of the most dangerous is tetanus.

Treatment of complications after a splinter

Sometimes after removing a splinter, unpleasant symptoms persist. Most often there is soreness, swelling and redness. To improve well-being and quick healing, it is recommended:

• take an anti-inflammatory drug to relieve inflammation and pain;
• apply healing ointment;
• undergo a course of physiotherapy treatment.

If unpleasant symptoms persist for a long time or worsen, it is recommended to make an appointment with a doctor. You may need to drink a course of antibiotics or open the abscess to drain the pus and fully heal the tissues.

Wound care after a splinter

Wound care at home is aimed at accelerated healing and prevention of undesirable consequences. The injury site should be regularly treated with an antiseptic, a healing ointment applied and a band-aid worn. To prevent infection from getting into the wound, you need to make sure that the crust that forms at the site of the injury is not damaged.

Prevention

Simple recommendations will help prevent a splinter from getting into the body:

• use protective equipment during work: gloves, shoes, clothes, glasses;
• Minimize contact with small sharp objects;
• Do not walk barefoot on untreated wood.

Article published on : 12/22/2015
Last updated : 03/20/2023

See also

The history of dietary supplements

The history of dietary supplements began in the first half of the 20th century.