Removing a splinter from your foot or finger is never easy, especially if it involves digging into your skin with a tweezers or needle. Splinters are small but they are quite painful. They can be difficult to remove. If your splinter is severe enough then you need to seek medical attention. But if you have a small splinter that causes you pain and frustration then there are some treatments that you can use to remove a splinter.
Splinters are foreign bodies that are fully or partially embedded in the skin. These are wood, plastic material and metal glasses. Splinters may cause an infection if they are not removed from the skin because they are full of germs. The irritation caused by a splinter stuck in your foot is quite bad. Don’t press on the splinters because it can cause the splinter to penetrate into the skin deeper.
Best Remedies to Remove a Splinter:
1.) Tweezers to Get Rid of a Splinter Fast
- You can use tweezers for removing a splinter. First, wash the skin around the splinter and hands with soap and warm water. This will help to lower the risk of spreading bacteria that cause an infection. Before removing it, dry your hands and the area around the splinter.
- Before using your tweezers, it is important to sterilize the tweezers with rubbing alcohol as it will help to reduce the risk of infection or bacteria from spreading. Having bacteria in the wound may cause an infection. In a bowl, pour a cup of rubbing alcohol in this bowl and put the tweezers in it for a few minutes. Now, use cotton ball to wipe the tweezers.
- Use a magnifying glass to remove a splinter as it will help you to see the splinter clearly.
- If the splinter is covered with a flap of skin then use a sterilized needle to break the skin and slightly lift the flap.
- Break and lift the skin flap with the help of a needle. This will make it easier to remove the splinter easily.
- Once you have exposed the splinter’s tip, grab it near the surface of the skin with the tweezers.
- Now gently, pull out the splinter.
2.) Use Tape to Remove a Splinter Fast
- If you get fragile splinters such as those from fiberglass or plants then you can remove them with tape easily. You can use any tape for this like duct tape, masking tape or electrical tape. Clean and dry the area around the splinter before applying the tape.
- Now apply a piece of tape to the splinter site and press it firmly. Don’t press the splinter deeper into the skin.
- When the tape is making contact with the splinter, remove the tape. Peel off the tape in the same direction that the splinter entered into the skin. You will see that the splinter will stick to the tape and come out.
- Once you have removed the tape, check it whether the splinter is stuck to it or not.
3.) Use Glue to Remove a Splinter
- You can use a glue such as white glue to treat a splinter. You just need to apply a layer of glue over the splinter and surrounding area. Don’t use instant glue as it may not remove off your skin and trap the splinter into your skin. You can also use wax strips the same way that you would use the glue. Before applying it, wash and dry the area around the splinter.
- Let the glue dry completely before you can remove it. Leave it on your skin for half an hour to an hour.
- Once the glue gets dry, grab the edge of the glue and pull it off in the direction as the splinter is entered into the skin. When you pull out the glue, the splinter should come out.
- After peeling the glue, check the glue to see if the splinter is stuck in it. If any part of the splinter is left in your skin then repeat the process.
4.) Potato to Treat a Splinter at Home
Potato is one of the best home remedies for splinter removal. Simply take 1 potato and cut it into thin slices. Put these slices on the affected area. Place the yellowish part of the slice over the splinter and hold it for some time. Don’t apply the pressure over it. Splinter will be removed out after sometime without any pain.
5.) Baking Soda to Get Rid of a Splinter
Baking soda is the most efficient and effective way to remove the splinter at home. It works great for the tiny particles which are deeply embedded in the skin.
- Prepare a paste by mixing baking soda and water. You can also add some flour to this mixture.
- Apply it to your splinter and cover it with a band-aid.
- Leave the paste overnight. Now it can be removed off easily but pulling the band-aid.
6.) White Vinegar to Cure a Splinter Fast
White vinegar can also be used for removing splinter from the skin. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of white vinegar help in preventing the bacteria from spreading.
- Take some amount of the white vinegar and soak the affected area with this solution for a few minutes.
- This will help to remove the splinter in some time.
- You can also use some pointed material to remove the skin layer.
7.) Bread to Remove a Splinter
Bread is also used to remove the splinter from the skin. You need to take a small piece of bread and pour a few drops of milk on it. Now put the bread piece over the splinter affected skin area and cover it with a clean bandage. Leave it overnight and then open it in the morning. The splinter will stick to the bread piece and come out easily from the skin.
8.) Hydrogen Peroxide to Get Rid of a Splinter
Hydrogen peroxide is the most effective treatment to treat your feet and hands of the splinter. It is used to avoid infection. Use only 3 percent of hydrogen peroxide solution. Cover the affected area with hydrogen peroxide. You can see the swelling in that area. Now, pull out the splinter from the affected area. Try to use tweezers to pull the splinter safely.
9.) Honey to Remove a Splinter Naturally
Honey is one of the best home remedies for splinter removal. It contains many properties that will help you in many skin related problems. Put a drop of honey on the splinter as it will help to remove it out easily. If the splinter is made up of glass then it is better to apply honey even after removing it because honey contains the antiseptic and therapeutic compounds.
10.) Needle to Remove a Splinter Fast
Using needle is the great home treatment for splinters. There is a soft and transparent skin layer over the splinter. The skin layer grows over the splinter before it is removed from your foot or finger.
- First, sterilize the needle’s tip with the rubbing alcohol.
- Press the needle close to the splinter and scrape it out.
- It may lead to pain and discomfort but it very effective for splinters removal.
Additional Tips to Prevent Splinter:
- If the splinter causing you extreme pain then go to a doctor.
- To numb the area before removing out the splinter, rub an ice around the splinter but don’t apply it directly. Dry the area before removing the splinter.
- Use cuticle cutters, tweezers or whatever you have around the affected area because the pulling of the skin will pull it down and leave the middle skin pushing up.
- Use a little amount of preparation H on the splinter as it will reduce the redness and swelling thus minimize the discomfort to a small degree.
- Place the affected skin area in hot water and then pull it out.
- If your splinter is small and not causing any pain then leave it in your skin. Your skin will remove out the splinter on its own.
- Always keep the affected area clean and dry to prevent infections.
- You can also use antibiotic ointments to treat a splinter.