You don’t have to be an avid outdoorsman to have experienced a splinter at some point in your life — most splinters happen when you’re not doing anything the least bit rugged or extreme. Then it comes time for splinter removal.
While most splinters will generally work their way out of your skin on their own, the sensitivity of the affected area can be maddening for some, causing pain with the slightest amount of pressure.
If you don’t want to wait for your body to push that thing out, here are 4 easy methods for splinter removal that should take care of the problem quickly and safely. Because some methods may not work on the first attempt, you may have to try again or use one of the other methods on this list. Additionally, if you’re in any doubt as to its severity, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention!
Before you begin:
- Be sure to wash the affected area with soap and water. Dry thoroughly before you attempt splinter removal.
- Don’t try to squeeze the splinter out, as you could actually get it embedded deeper in your skin, or if the splinter is fragile, it could break apart in your skin, making for a more complicated extraction.
- If you have a magnifying glass, use it to inspect the splinter so you know the best course of action to take.
- You can apply an over-the-counter numbing agent if you want to minimize any pain.
- Once you’ve removed the splinter, apply antibacterial ointment and a bandage to avoid infection in the wound.
Clear Nail Polish
All you need to do for this method is paint over the splinter, wait for it to dry, and peel it off in the opposite direction that the splinter went in. It may take more than one application to successfully remove the splinter.
Baking Soda
This method will take a little time, but is highly effective on most splinters. Make a thick paste with baking soda and a little water, and apply it to the splinter area. Cover with a large bandage and leave on for 24 hours. When you remove the bandage, if the splinter is sticking out, carefully remove it with tweezers. If you don’t actually see the splinter, it may have popped out into the paste, so gently rinse the area and examine it to see if it is indeed gone.
Duct Tape
If the splinter is sticking out of your skin at all, you can smooth a piece of duct tape over the area, and carefully pull off in the opposite direction that the splinter went in.
Nail Clipper and Tweezers
Next, a pair of nail clippers and a tweezers are perfect tools for getting a splinter out of fingertips or heels where the skin is thicker and not as sensitive. First wash the edges of both tools in alcohol to sterilize. Start clipping the layers of skin above the splinter parallel to it. Once you can see the splinter, gently pull the skin apart and extract it with the tweezers. You may need a friend’s help to stay steady.
Featured Image from Brian Wangenheim/Unsplash
