Splinters can be painful and could cause infections and other health issues if they’re not removed quickly.
Everyone gets a splinter at some point. You’re doing something and suddenly – ow! Splinter removal is important so your body can start the healing process.
But how can you retrieve a splinter without causing additional injury?
In this article, we will explore how to remove a splinter in a few different ways.
Not always! The location of the splinter and its depth will have a lot of say on how the splinter comes out. It will also depend on how large the splinter is and the amount of pain you’re experiencing.
If your pain is extreme and the splinter unable to come out using at-home methods, you might need to take a trip to the emergency room.
But once you know several methods of splinter removal for normal splinters, you can feel confident in taking them out.
Soaking the splinter in Epsom salts (especially if it’s in on your foot) can be a relaxing way to encourage the splinter to the surface.
Soak the infected area and once the splinter starts to creep out, pull it out with a tweezer.
Speaking of tweezers, this is one of the most common methods of splinter removal. This is because tweezers can grasp very fine pieces of material and pull it out with ease.
If the splinter is deep in your skin, you may have to use a disinfected needle and tweezers to remove it. This is only necessary if there’s no part of the splinter available to grab.
Scotch tape or duct tape can be used to draw out a splinter as well, but only if the splinter is not deeply embedded in the skin.
First, you’ll want to clean the area and apply the tape of your choice. Once you’ve placed the tape on the area, pull the tape off in the opposite direction of the splinter.
Regular household items like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can also help with taking out splinters.
Using equal parts baking soda and water, you can create a paste and apply it to the site of the splinter. Put a bandage and leave it there for a day. When you take the bandage off, the splinter should be easier to remove.
Putting hydrogen peroxide on the splinter and letting it bubble can help the splinter come out completely without any aid and painlessly.
Sometimes a splinter is too challenging to remove on your own and you need help.
If that’s the case, it is a good idea to call a medical professional that knows what they are doing. Try going to an urgent care to help take out the bothersome object.
Splinter removal, in most cases, is easily done at home. There may be times when you need an extra set of hands or a professional opinion, however, so this is important to consider the next time it happens to you.
Do you have other medical needs that you need to have assessed? If so, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you need urgent assistance, we’re here for you! Contact us today.
