Humza Khizer

Splinter Removal 101

Introduction

Splinters are painful. Who would have thought that something so tiny could be so uncomfortable? If you have a splinter, your body will continuously send you a tiny pain signal to let you know that something is wrong, and it won&#39;t stop unless you remove the splinter. The good news is that most splinters are simple to remove by yourself or with little help at home. 
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A splinter is any foreign body that penetrates your skin and lodges there. It can be glass, plastic, metal, thorns, cactus spines, pencil lead, a tiny piece of wood etc. 
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Understanding the Best Ways To Remove Splinters

Failure to recognize the existence of soft tissue foreign bodies is one of the most prevalent mistakes in managing them<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. It&rsquo;s extremely important to remove reactive items, like wood, spines, thorns, right away to prevent infection or inflammation<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. 
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Keep in mind the following things to carefully remove the splinter:

<ul>
	<li>Depth</li>
</ul>

Examine the skin to see whether any of the splintered parts is protruding. You can grab that to remove it. If nothing protrudes, look closer to the skin&#39;s surface. You&#39;ll have a good chance of taking it out yourself if you can see it or if you can feel it without any effort. 
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<ul>
	<li>Direction</li>
</ul>

Inspect the direction of your splinter&#39;s direction. Is it vertical or horizontal? Try to determine the direction in which it penetrated your skin. You have to proceed in the same direction while drawing it out.

A splinter can penetrate the skin in the following directions:

<ol>
	<li>Superficial horizontal splinters</li>
	<li>Subungual splinters</li>
	<li>Elusive splinters</li>
	<li>Deeper splinters</li>
	<li>Vertical splinters 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Self-extraction of splinters is usually not simple. So, if you can, get help. Consult a healthcare professional if:

<ul>
	<li>You can&rsquo;t remove it entirely</li>
	<li>It&rsquo;s large</li>
	<li>It&rsquo;s deep</li>
	<li>It&rsquo;s hard to see</li>
	<li>The wound is bleeding heavily</li>
	<li>It&rsquo;s at a hard-to-reach place, like under a toenail or fingernail or near your eye 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Remember, soaking the affected part of the skin in warm water before trying to remove the splinter softens your skin and makes splinter removal easier.

After removal, clean that spot of skin with soap and water. This helps get rid of microorganisms and, thereby, the threat of infection is also significantly reduced. Gently pat the wound dry &ndash; don&rsquo;t rub &ndash; and cover it with a bandage. 
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Here are 7 tips to take away your splinter:

<h5>1. Tweezers</h5>

You only need a pair of tweezers to remove a superficial splinter, particularly if part of it is protruding through your skin.

First, disinfect your tweezers with 70% rubbing alcohol. Let the tweezers dry before using them.

Then, use your tweezers (and a magnifying lens if necessary) to grasp the splinter&#39;s tip. Carefully pull the splinter out in the same direction that it entered the skin.

 
Note: Don&#39;t squeeze the tissue surrounding the splinter or the splinter itself as it may become more challenging to remove the splinter if it breaks into smaller pieces due to pressure. 
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<h5>2. Needles</h5>

Use a small needle to gently remove the splinter if it is deeply embedded inside your skin. Sterilize your needle first with 70% rubbing alcohol. Allow it to dry before using it to remove the splinter.

Pierce your skin directly beneath one end of the splinter. Pull that end out of your skin gradually. Once a part of that splinter is out, you will be able to use tweezers to take out the remaining portion of the splinter.

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<h5>3. Duct Tape</h5>

If needles or tweezers make you uneasy or uncomfortable, especially if you don&rsquo;t have anyone to help you out with this, you can use duct tape to remove your splinter. Cover your splinter with a piece of duct tape. After 30 minutes, take it off gently in the opposite direction that the splinter penetrated the skin.

This method is also useful if your splinter is close to the surface of the skin or if some part of it is already protruding out. 
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<h5>4. Baking Soda Paste</h5>

If you can feel your splinter but not reach it, even with a needle, then you can try baking soda paste to bring it closer to the surface before pulling it out.

Mix 1 tablespoon of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Apply the paste around the site of the splinter. Place a bandage over it, and leave it on for 24 hours. After that, you&rsquo;ll notice the splinter has shifted closer to the surface of your skin so you can now use a tweezer and/or needle to extract it. 
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<h5>5. Epsom Salts</h5>

Did you know that Epsom salt is quite useful in treating splinters? Epsom salt, like baking soda paste, will help bring the splinter closer to your skin&#39;s surface.

Add a cup of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak your skin for 30 minutes. Use your needle and/or tweezers to remove the splinter once the skin is dry. 
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<h5>6. Hydrogen Peroxide </h5>

Combine one part water with one part hydrogen peroxide. Pour it over the site of the splinter. This is yet another trick to get the splinter closer to your skin&#39;s surface. It only takes a few minutes after which you can pull it out.

Alternatively, some people use a white vinegar solution. However, hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar solution both irritate and sting your skin. 
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<h5>7. Potatoes And Banana Peels</h5>

There&rsquo;s no data to support the idea that the enzymes in potato and banana peels help soften the skin. However, using these peels can facilitate the removal of splinters with a needle and/or tweezers.

The only problem is that peels are quite slippery, so it&rsquo;s challenging to keep them on for long hours. Additionally, there is a chance that the peels have bacteria on them, which would increase the risk of infection. 
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<h5>Important!</h5>

Once the splinter is out, clean the area again with soap and water. Keep an eye out for any sign of infections, like swelling, redness, or pun or pain at the site, and get it checked out immediately by a healthcare provider if it looks serious.

If you have a splinter and are overdue for a tetanus shot, i.e., there&rsquo;s no documentation or knowledge of immunization within 10 years, make sure to inform your doctor about it. 
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Conclusion

Splinters are microscopic foreign objects that are partially or completely embedded in the skin. They need to be swiftly removed to avoid infection. While most splinters can be easily removed using home remedies, some splinters are too deep, infectious, or at a difficult location and, therefore, require medical assistance. 
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Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>A splinter is a small, foreign object that becomes partially or completely embedded in the skin.</li>
	<li>A splinter should be removed as soon as possible. This reduces the risk of infection.</li>
	<li>Most splinters can be removed with household items, like sterilized tweezers or needles.</li>
</ul>