How to Remove a Splinter
Large wounds are very frightening, but there are also small wound injuries that make children, and even some adults, to cringe with terror, such as splinter. A splinter is a shard of glass, wood, or thorn that gets lodged in the skin. Removing it can be a painful process, and if not done properly can result to infections. If you have this dilemma, here are some measures you can take.
What You’ll Need:
Tweezers
Needle
Rubbing alcohol
Soap and water
Antibiotic cream
Tomato
Baking soda
Bandage or tape
White glue
Using Tweezers And Needles
This is often the first tactic people try. It can be painful, though, so before doing this, make sure you ready yourself to feel a bit of pain.
Wash your hands and the area where the splinter is, before the procedure, using soap and water. If the splinter is made from wood, though, don’t wet the area. The wood splinter will only swell, making it hard to remove.
Sterilize the tweezers and needle that you’re using. You can either boil them in water or dip in rubbing alcohol. If you boiled them, leave them to cool for some minutes.
When ready, use the tweezers to grab the end of the splinter that’s jutting out. You need to be careful, otherwise you’ll end up pushing the needle in, instead of pulling it out.
If the splinter is too lodged in, try to lift it up using the needle’s tip. Be careful not to poke your skin. When you see that it’s sticking out sufficiently, try and grab it with the tweezers again.
When the splinter is removed, wash the area with soap and water and apply an antibiotic cream.
The Tomato Method
This tactic is a natural and painless method you can try. It requires a bit of patience though, but it’ll be worth is, as you’ll feel less pain.
Wash and rinse the tomato. Carefully cut a piece that’s big enough to cover the area with the splinter. A 1/4 to 1/2 inch piece is enough.
Hold down the tomato using your hand. Securing it with some bandage or tape also keeps it in place.
Wait until the splinter comes out. For very deep splinters, you may need to leave the tomato for up to 30 minutes or more. Be patient, otherwise this will not work.
Try Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most useful, all-purpose products found in your kitchen. With this, you can make a special paste that will take out that unwanted splinter.
Wash your hands, and the affected area, if the splinter is not wood.
Get 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and a small amount of water. Mix them properly to create a paste.
Apply the paste on a bandage, then put the bandage on the splinter.
Wait for 24 hours.
Remove the bandage, then rinse. You’ll see the splinter sticking out and removing it will be very easy.
White Glue Works
If the splinter happens at school, there’s one product that you can use to take it out: white glue. This sticky material will help remove the bothersome shard. Here’s what to do.
Wash your hands, as well as the area affected.
Get some white glue, and squirt it all over your splinter. Spread it evenly on the skin, then allow to dry completely. This might take between 5 to ten minutes.
When the glue dries and hardens, carefully peel the layer off slowly, following the splinter’s direction. Be very careful when doing this, so you’ll get the splinter out in one piece.
Wash your hand and the area again, when the splinter is gone.
Some Tips:
Always wash the area again after the splinter has been removed, and disinfect it using an antibiotic cream.
Clean the wound frequently with alcohol and soap and water.
Don’t leave any splinter piece. This might cause infection and irritation.
If there are signs of redness, itchiness, swelling and pus over the next few days, go to your doctor. The area might be infected already.
A splinter doesn’t have to be scary and painful. As long as you follow these methods properly, removing one won’t be a problem.