How to remove a splinter

• Wash your hands thoroughly.

• Sterilise a pair of tweezers with iodene, betadine or hydrogen peroxide.

• If the top of the splinter is protruding from the skin, grasp it with the tweezers & pull it out in the direction it entered the skin.

• If the splinter is completely embedded in the skin, sterilise a needle & make a clean hold in the skin over the end of the splinter (where it entered the skin), large enough to allow you to grasp the end & pull the splinter out.

• Once the splinter is out, sterilise the area.

• If the splinter is in the bottom of your foot, where the skin is thick. Try soaking the foot in water for 20 minutes to soften the skin first.

Other methods:

There are several other methods touted as being useful for removing difficult splinters. These include;

Method 1:

• Wash your hands.
• Sterilise the area with iodene, betadine or hydrogen peroxide.
• Make a paste of water & baking soda.
• Apply paste to the affected area & cover with a bandage or sticking plaster.
• After 24 hours, uncover the area & rinse. The splinter should now be sticking out & will be easier to remove.
• Once the splinter is out, sterilise the area.

Method 2:

• Cover the area with some sticking tape (the stickier, the better) & press down.
• Quickly pull the sticking tape off in the direction in which the splinter entered the skin, it should hopefully pull the splinter out with it.
• Once the splinter is out, sterilise the area.

When to seek medical help:

• If the splinter is in an eye or under a nail.

• If the splinter can not be removed using the above methods & is causing pain.

• If you have signs of infection (see below).

Signs of infection:

• Redness, swelling & pus around the area.

If you are not up to date with your tetanus vaccination, you should have one immediately.