Splinters are foreign bodies that penetrate the body; they can be of all shapes and sizes and represent a fairly common injury. They can cause minimal to severe pain, especially if they stick to delicate parts of the body such as the feet. You can remove small superficial splinters even at home without much difficulty, but you should see a doctor for large ones that have penetrated deep into the skin.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: with Tweezers
Step 1. Wash the affected area
Before proceeding with the removal of the fragment, wash your hands and the skin surrounding the penetration site thoroughly using warm water. This simple step minimizes the risk of bacteria spreading and causing an infection.
- You can wash your hands with ordinary soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
- Disinfect the area the shard entered with soap and water or an antibacterial cleaner.
- Thoroughly dry your hands and affected area before attempting to remove the splinter.
Step 2. Sterilize the tweezers with alcohol
Before using them, be sure to disinfect them with denatured alcohol to reduce the risk of infection or the growth of bacteria inside the wound. The presence of the bacteria can cause infections.
- To sterilize the tweezers, soak them in a bowl filled with alcohol for a few minutes or rub a sterile cotton swab soaked on the tool.
- You can find denatured alcohol in all supermarkets, pharmacies and grocery stores.
Step 3. Use a magnifying glass and choose a well-lit place
During extraction operations, the magnifying glass is very useful because it allows you to see the fragment more clearly, thus reducing the chances of further damaging the skin.
Choose at least one well-lit area that allows you to see the splinter clearly
Step 4. Break and lift the skin layer if necessary
If the splinter is covered with a flap of skin, you can then use a sterilized needle to break it open and lift it. Sterilize a needle by dipping it in alcohol, then use it to remove the affected layer of skin. It will allow you to grab the splinter and remove it more easily.
If you find that you have to dig deep and tear through the layers of skin to see the splinter, then you should consider going to the hospital or doctor to avoid further damage
Step 5. Grab the splinter with tweezers
Once you have managed to bring the tip of the foreign body to the surface, you can pick it up with tweezers and pull it gently. Extract the splinter respecting the inclination with which it is lodged in the skin.
- If you have to tear through several layers of skin to be able to grasp the fragment, then you should go to the doctor and let him remove it.
- If the tip of the foreign body breaks off, then you will have to go to the doctor or try to grasp the fragment again with tweezers.
Method 2 of 5: with masking tape
Step 1. In mild cases you can try with duct tape
Brittle splinters such as plant thorns or fiberglass fragments are often more easily extracted with this method. You can use different types of tape for this procedure, including paper, packaging, or insulation tape. You will only need a small piece of tape.
- Make sure the area around the splinter is clean and dry before applying it.
- Wash and dry your hands before starting.
Step 2. Put a piece of tape over the splinter
Apply it to the area around the splinter and press so that it sticks. Make sure you don't push the splinter even further in the process. Try to press in the outer area and away from the entry point.
Step 3. Tear off the tape
Once you are sure that the tape is in contact with the splinter, pull it off. Go slowly in the same direction that the splinter entered the skin. The splinter should come off with the tape.
Step 4. Check the ribbon
Once removed, check that the splinter is attached. You should also check that there is no residue left inside the wound. If there is still some splinter in your skin, repeat this process or try another method.
Method 3 of 5: with Glue
Step 1. Apply glue to the splinter
You can also use the white one. Apply a layer to the splinter and surrounding area. Make sure the glue layer is thick enough to cover the splinter completely.
- Don't use instant glue. You may not be able to remove it and then trap the splinter instead of removing it.
- You can also use products to remove wax from your hair, the same way you would use glue.
- Wash and dry your hands and the area around the wound before starting.
Step 2. Let the glue dry
It must be completely dry before removing it or it may not stick to the splinter. Leave it on the skin for at least thirty minutes, even an hour. So check if it's actually dry.
Step 3. Remove the glue
Once you are sure it is dry, scratch the edges and pull it away in the direction the splinter entered the skin. Pull it off slowly and evenly. The splinter should come off along with the glue.
Step 4. Check the splinter
Once the glue is peeled off, check that the splinter is attached. You should also check that there is no residue left inside the wound. If there is still some splinter in your skin, repeat this process or try another method.
Method 4 of 5: Treat the Wound
Step 1. Gently squeeze the wound
When you have successfully extracted the entire fragment, squeeze the site until you notice some blood coming out. This way you "wash away" any germs.
However, be careful not to be too energetic. If the wound is not bleeding, you can use other methods to get rid of the germs, including applying an antibacterial ointment
Step 2. Watch out for the blood
If blood continues to come out, when you press or on its own, you need to keep it under control by compressing the wound area. This allows you to avoid losing too much blood or suffering shock. In the case of a minor injury, the bleeding should stop within a few minutes. If it does not stop and you are losing profusely blood, go to the emergency room immediately.
- Try holding a piece of gauze or cotton over the wound until the blood stops flowing.
- If the splinter has created a cut, press the edges together by holding them together with two pieces of sterile gauze or a clean cloth.
- You can keep the raised part beyond the threshold of the heart, which allows you to keep the bleeding under control. For example, if the splinter is in your finger, you would raise your hand over your head until the bleeding stops.
Step 3. Disinfect the area
Wash the site from which you extracted the fragment to eliminate any bacteria and germs still present in the wound. At the end of these operations, spread an antibacterial ointment.
- Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment. Smear it on the injury site for up to two consecutive days to minimize the chances of infection.
- Buy a product that contains bacitracin, neomycin, or polymyxin B. Many drug companies make ointments with all three of these active ingredients and call them "triple acting".
Step 4. Band the wound
Once the blood has stopped and the wound cleaned, you can cover the area to prevent bacteria from entering the wound. You can apply a piece of gauze or a bandage. The bandage might add some compression to keep the bleeding under control.
Method 5 of 5: Medical Assistance
Step 1. Decide if you can pull the splinter out yourself or if medical attention is needed
If these are small superficial splinters, you can very well remove them yourself at home. However, there are situations in which medical assistance is more suitable.
- If you're not sure what kind of splinter it is or it's particularly painful, see a doctor as soon as possible.
- See your doctor if the splinter is about half a centimeter deep or has entered your muscles or around your nerves.
Step 2. See a doctor if it is a serious injury
If the splinter is deep, extremely painful, you are unable to remove it, or even if you are reluctant to remove it yourself, seek medical attention as soon as possible. This will allow you to minimize the risk of serious infections or make the wound worse. Also, seek medical attention if:
- The splinter affects the eyes;
- The splinter does not come out easily;
- The wound is deep and contaminated;
- If it's been more than five years since the last tetanus booster.
Step 3. Look for signs of infection
If you have any symptoms of infection in the area affected by the splinter, you should see your doctor immediately. He may prescribe therapy and remove the fragments you were unable to see. Some signs of infection include:
- Fluid leaking from the wound
- Ache;
- Redness or red streaks
- Fever.
Step 4. Consider leaving the splinter alone
If it's just a small sliver and it doesn't bother you at all, you could just leave it there. The skin may push it out of itself. It could also create a bubble around the splinter and expel it that way.
Keep the area clean and alert for signs of possible infection. If you notice redness, warmth, or the area becomes painful, see your doctor
Advice
- To numb the area before pulling out the splinter, scrub the surrounding area (not the exact spot where it is stuck) with an ice cube. Before attempting to remove the foreign body, check that the skin is dry.
- Try to gently pinch the affected area with a pair of scissors to try to get the splinter out slightly; then, use tweezers to pull it out completely.
