How to remove a splinter! Has a splinter got under your skin? Most often this happens painlessly, but it is fraught with consequences – suppuration and inflammation. You need to know how to remove the splinter correctly. Perform the procedure at home using the methods below.
How to remove a splinter: rules Initially, you need to understand whether you can do it yourself or trust the medical staff. Start by assessing the lesion, inspect the site of injury and find out the following points:
- where the splinter got and how deep it went under the skin;
- in which direction the shard was stuck, and what size it was.
If a splinter is visible under the skin, then you can remove it at home. Before any procedure, be sure to wash your hands and treat the affected area with warm water and soap. This will help prevent inflammation of the damaged skin.
Before pulling out a splinter (regardless of the place of penetration), I recommend following the following points:
- Set up good lighting and have a magnifying glass ready to help you see an object stuck under your skin.
- Soak the affected body part in warm water. This will soften the skin and make the procedure easier.
- Do not try to pinch or squeeze out the splinter, otherwise, it will split into small pieces, making it difficult to remove.
- When using tools, be sure to boil them in water for 15 minutes and treat them with alcohol.
When should you see a doctor? Specialists know better how to remove a splinter if it:
- split into pieces;
- stuck deep under the skin;
- stuck under the nail plate on the leg or arm.
These rules are also recommended by WebMD experts. If the wound is bleeding, this is a serious reason to go to the hospital. Harmless damage can have serious consequences if a person’s immunity is weakened. It all starts with local inflammation and can turn into the following states:
- tissue damage;
- abscess;
- sepsis.
This is possible if an infection penetrates along with the splinter. If the temperature rises or any worsening of the condition, it is better to see a doctor.
How to remove a splinter: effective methods
Are you sure you can handle it yourself? The PubMed article recommends removing the foreign object as quickly as possible to avoid inflammation and infection. Choose the appropriate method depending on the location of the lesion:
How to remove a splinter from a child
It is difficult for a small child to explain the need for a procedure, pain cannot be avoided, but it can be minimized To do this, use gentle methods: as an option, steaming. Grate a bar of baby soap and mix with 300 ml of hot water. Once the soap begins to dissolve, dip the affected area in a container for 10 minutes.
If after steaming the spike is visible on the surface, then use adhesive tape. Here’s how to get a splinter:
- Gently catch the splinter with the tape.
- Once the spike has adhered, remove the tape from the skin along with it.
- If necessary, repeat the procedure.
You can replace the tape with tweezers.
How to get a splinter out of your finger
When the thorn has penetrated deep into the skin and is not visible on the surface, tweezers with a needle will help. This method is described by experts at WebMD. In addition to tools, prepare alcohol and a cotton pad.
Here’s how to get a splinter out of your finger:
- Moisten the disc with alcohol, wipe the needle and tweezers.
- Gently pry the skin over the splinter with the needle.
- Grab part of the thorn with tweezers.
- Remove in the same direction that it went under the skin.
How to remove a splinter from your heel
It’s good when the thorn is visible. But how to remove a splinter that is not visible? Since the leather on the heel is rough, tools alone won’t be enough. A splinter in the heel will appear on the surface after steaming.
Do this:
- Dilute 1 tsp in 300 ml of hot water. salt and soda.
- Soak your leg in the solution for 10 minutes.
- Using a needle and tweezers, remove the object that injures the tissue.
- Disinfect the affected area with peroxide or soap and water.
Now you know how to get a deep splinter. I hope this information will be useful and help in a difficult situation. Remember: if there are swelling, redness, and pain, consult a doctor.
Attention! The material is for informational purposes only. You should not resort to the treatments described in it without first consulting your doctor.
