First aid for removing splinters

Fact Checked

When splinters lodges beneath the skin and left untreated, this can then result in an infection. Before removing a splinter from your skin, you have to look for indications of a splinter. You might see the following signs:

• The affected area will appear inflamed

  

• The area will appear red
• There is a discharge of fluids from the area
• The area starts throbbing

If you do see signs of an infection, you need to speak to your GP as soon as possible and have it treated. The infection depends on how long the splinter has been lodged under the skin and the type of material that has been lodged. Unprocessed materials might cause an infection if lodged underneath the skin.

Removing splinters

If you don’t see any signs of an infection and you need to get rid of the splinter, you will have to apply the following first aid steps:

1. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before trying to remove the splinter. Everything you use needs to be sterile.
2. You will need to first compress the skin and attempt to direct the splinter the same way it came in, as this might be the mildest method to apply.
3. If compression does not seem to work, find some tweezers and make sure they are sterile. You can get some isopropyl alcohol to ensure all bacteria is killed before inserting the tweezers.
4. Make sure the affected area surrounding the splinter is clean. Use warm water and soap or some povidone-iodine.
5. By using the tweezers, try to open the skin where the splinter went in, and try to grab the splinter with the tweezers.
6. One you have a firm grip on the splinter, slowly remove this from the skin.
7. Lastly, clean the affected area and surrounding skin and apply some iodine to keep it free from bacteria.

Extra tips for removal

1. In most instances, the affected area where the splinter was inserted is going to be painful and there will be a lot of discomfort.
2. If you have a case where the splinter got lodged beneath your fingernail, it may be more difficult trying to remove it. Sometimes, your GP might have to do a small surgical procedure to cut the nail away so the splinter can be removed.
3. You also need to ensure your tetanus injections are up-to-date.
4. You have to remove a splinter in a clean and sterile environment. Therefore, removing a splinter does not have to be done immediately if you are in an unsterile setting.

Related Video

FACT CHECK

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splinter

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002137.htm

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/splinters/article_em.htm