Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Removing a splinter with tweezers
• Method 2 of 2: Other Methods
• Tips
• Similar articles

A splinter is a "foreign body" that has penetrated the skin. Usually it is a small piece of wood, although there are also metal, glass or plastic splinters. You can usually remove the splinter yourself, but medical attention may be required if the splinter has penetrated deep into the skin, especially in a sensitive area. Splinters under the fingernails and toenails are particularly painful and difficult to reach. However, there are methods that can be used to remove such splinters at home.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Removing a splinter with tweezers

1. 1 Determine if you need medical attention. If the splinter has penetrated deep under the nail or is infected with it, you may need the help of a doctor. In case of infection, the pain will not go away after a few days, and the skin around the splinter will swell and turn red.
   • If a splinter causes profuse bleeding, go to the emergency room.
   • If you are unable to get to the splinter on your own, or an infection has penetrated along with the splinter, see your doctor. He will remove the splinter and prescribe antibiotics for you.
   • Typically, when a large splinter is removed, the doctor will give a local anesthetic to relieve pain during the procedure.
   • Note that the doctor may remove part or all of the nail to completely remove the splinter.
2. 2 Remove the splinter yourself. If you are going to remove the splinter yourself, you will most likely need tweezers, as the splinter may be too small to grasp with your fingers. If the splinter is deep and does not protrude from under the nail, a needle may also be required to remove it.
   • Sterilize any tools you intend to use to remove the splinter. Use alcohol or boiling water to sterilize tweezers and needles.
   • Wash your hands before touching sterilized instruments.
   • Before removing the splinter, wash the nail and the skin around it to prevent infection. If you can't use soap and water to do this, wipe your finger with rubbing alcohol.
   • If you have long nails, trim the damaged nail before removing the splinter. This will make it easier to access the splinter.
3. 3 Pull out the splinter with tweezers. Find a place with enough light to see the damaged area well. Grab the protruding end of the splinter with tweezers. Grasp the edge of the splinter well and pull it in the same direction as it entered the skin.
   • A splinter can consist of several fragments of wood, glass, and the like. It may also split into several pieces when trying to pull it out of the skin. If you are unable to remove the splinter completely, see a doctor who will remove any residue.
4. 4 If the splinter does not protrude from the skin, use a needle to reach it. Some splinters penetrate so deeply into the skin that they cannot be caught with tweezers. Although they are difficult to remove on your own, you can try to pry the end of the splinter with a needle and then grab it with tweezers.
   • A small sewing needle is suitable for this. Be sure to sterilize it before use.
   • Push the tip of the needle under your nail, bringing it to the end of the splinter, and try to pry on that end.
   • If you manage to pry the end of the splinter so that it protrudes from the skin, grab it with tweezers and pull the splinter in the same direction in which it penetrated the skin.
5. 5 Wash the damaged area thoroughly. When all or part of the splinter has been removed, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Then apply an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin) to prevent infection.
   • If the wound is bleeding, bandage it to prevent infection.

Method 2 of 2: Other Methods

1. 1 Soak your injured finger in warm water and baking soda. If the splinter is deeply embedded or is so small that it is difficult to grasp with tweezers, you can try pulling it out with a solution of baking soda and warm water.
   • Add a tablespoon of baking soda to warm water and dip your finger in it. For best results, soak your finger twice a day.
   • In order for the splinter to come out to the surface of the skin and fall out on its own, or it could be reached with tweezers, it may take several days of such procedures.
2. 2 Use scotch tape. Another way to remove a splinter is to use duct tape. This method is very simple: stick the tape to the area of ​​the skin where the splinter is, and then quickly tear it off.
   • Although any type of tape will work, it is best to use clear tape so that the splinter can be seen underneath.
   • Again, you may need to trim your nail shorter to gain better access to the splinter.
3. 3 Use wax to remove hair. A very thin splinter can be difficult to grasp with tweezers. In such cases, depilatory wax can be used to remove the splinter from under the nail. The sticky wax will tightly cover the end of the splinter protruding from the skin.
   • Again, you may need to trim the nail shorter to gain better access to the splinter.
   • Apply the heated wax to the area around the splinter. Be sure to wax the exposed edge of the splinter.
   • Before the wax dries, attach a strip of cloth to it.
   • Grasp the strip of fabric firmly and pull it sharply away from the skin.
4. 4 Try ichthyol ointment to remove the splinter. This medicated ointment can also be used to remove a splinter from under a nail. Ichthyol ointment can be purchased at a pharmacy or online. This ointment will soften the skin around the splinter and make it easier to remove.
   • You may need to trim the damaged nail to make it easier to reach the splinter.
   • This method works well for children as it is associated with less pain and discomfort.
   • Apply a small amount of ointment to the affected area.
   • Cover or wrap the smeared area with a bandage and wait 24 hours. Ichthyol ointment stains fabric (clothing and bedding), so wrap the oiled area well with a bandage to prevent it from seeping out.
   • Remove the bandage after 24 hours and examine the splinter.
   • The goal is to wait for the splinter to fall out on its own. However, if this does not happen after 24 hours, the splinter is likely to protrude from the skin more and you can catch it with tweezers.
5. 5 Make a baking soda paste. This paste will serve as a substitute for ichthyol ointment. Use this method only if the other methods do not work, as the paste can cause swelling, making it difficult to remove the splinter.
   • You may need to trim your nail shorter to get better access to the splinter.
   • Take ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and add water to it until you have a thick paste.
   • Apply the paste to the splinter area and wrap a bandage around it.
   • After 24 hours, remove the bandage and examine the splinter.
   • Under the action of the paste, the splinter can fall out by itself. If this does not happen in a day, repeat the procedure, applying the paste for another 24 hours.
   • If the splinter protrudes enough from the skin, you can use tweezers to remove it.

Tips

• There is also a punctate hemorrhage at the base of the nail. Such a hemorrhage is not associated with a splinter, however, with it, a blood stain under the nail resembles a splinter in its outlines.
• Usually, organic splinters (wood chips, thorns, etc.) cause infection if left under the skin, while splinters made from inorganic materials (glass or metal) do not cause infection.

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