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