For instance, do not press on the sliver as it may force it to penetrate deeper into the skin. Also, if the sliver is made of glass, it may break into tiny fragments, making it more difficult to remove. However, you should remove splinters from your skin as soon as possible because they can cause other serious illnesses if left inside. Continue reading to learn how to remove a splinter safely and quickly. Scroll down!
Types Of Splinters
The splinters that pierce your skin can be made of biological or non-biological materials. Examples of these are as follows:
Biological splinters – bone, fish spines, teeth, and wood Non-biological splinters – small pieces of metal, aluminum, glass, pencil graphite, plastic, etc.
Outlined below are 10 simple and quick home remedies on how to remove a splinter. Check them out!
How To Get A Splinter Out Naturally
1. Baking Soda For Splinter
1 tablespoon baking soda 1 tablespoon water Band-aid
Use this simple home remedy as soon as you realize that your skin has a splinter in it. Baking soda works well for the tiny, invisible splinters that are deeply embedded in the body. A paste of baking soda applied on the splinter causes the skin to swell and pushes the splinter out (1).
2. Essential Oil For Splinter
A few drops of lavender oil or Thieves oil Sterilized tweezer
- Apply the oil on the affected area and leave it on for a few minutes. 2. Check if the splinter has risen to the skin surface. If it hasn’t, wait for another seven to eight minutes. 3. You will notice that the splinter has moved up, and it can be easily pulled out using the tweezers. For a bigger splinter, reapplication of the essential oil may be required. The essential oils will draw out the splinter and also prevent any infections from developing because of their antimicrobial properties (2). These oils also possess anti-inflammatory and healing properties that will aid in the quick recovery of the skin that was pierced by the splinter (3).
3. Removing A Splinter With Hot Water
Hot water A wide-mouthed glass or plastic bottle
This method works well the first time to remove splinters. Due to the vacuum created, a pull is exerted on the flesh. At the same time, the steam from the hot water opens up the skin’s pores (4). These two factors work together and draw out the splinter.
4. Salve
Ichthammol ointment Bandage
This simple ointment is available without a prescription and can be used anytime you suffer from a splinter or sliver. Ichthammol ointment is also called as Black drawing salve. It is derived from shale oil and is one of those remedies that has been passed down from generations to get rid of splinters. This salve possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as well (5).
5. Splinter Removal Soak
3% hydrogen peroxide Cotton ball Tape Tweezer
Repeat the process if the splinter hasn’t risen to the surface and is still deeply lodged. Hydrogen peroxide is a good remedy to rid your hands and feet of splinters. The area becomes inflamed and swells, making the splinter visible. This can then be easily removed. Hydrogen peroxide is also a disinfectant agent (6).
6. Poultice For Splinters
A small pinch of Epsom salt A large band-aid
Change the band-aid if it gets wet during the day. Epsom salt poultice is often recommended by doctors for splinter removal, especially for the deeply lodged ones. Being a salt, it draws out water from the skin cells, and this brings the splinter to the surface (7).
7. Potato
Raw potato Use a thinner slice if the previous slice doesn’t work. Potato flesh is soft and can easily be pierced by the splinter. [ Read: Benefits Of Potato For Health ]
8. Vinegar Splinter Removal
White vinegar A small bowl or basin
Soak the affected area in white vinegar for about 15 minutes. Repeat the 15-minute soak if the splinter doesn’t rise to the surface. Like Epsom salt, this treatment too causes the splinter to break through the surface, making it easy to tweeze or scrape. [ Read: Vinegar For Dandruff ]
9. Banana Peel For Splinter
Banana peel Tape Tweezer
Leave the peel on for longer if required. Banana peel is loaded with enzymes that will make the splinter move up to the surface (8).
10. Egg Shell
1 egg Band-aid
A single application of this home remedy should work effectively in removing the splinter. The eggshell causes the splinter to ease out of the skin. Hope now you know how to get a splinter out naturally. Even though a splinter sounds like nothing to worry about, it is important to remove this foreign particle from your body. Using these home remedies will make it easier for you and also prevent any complications. Take a look at a few frequently asked questions. What is a splinter hemorrhage? A splinter hemorrhage is when there is bleeding under the nails, both the fingernails and the toenails. This bleeding looks like long, reddish-brown lines and gives the appearance that there is a splinter under the nail. Hence, it is called a splinter hemorrhage, even though there is no splinter lodged in the skin (9). What happens when splinters are left untreated? Leaving a splinter untreated is usually not advised as an infection can develop. Sometimes, the body can close off the split in the skin with the splinter still inside. Here, it can either cause no pain or be a constant irritant. It can develop infections depending upon how dirty the site of entry was. It is always recommended to remove the foreign particle from the body in order to avoid infections. Keep in mind that no matter what method you use, it is important to clean the wound caused by the splinter with antiseptic soap and water before using any home remedy. When should you go to the doctor for a splinter? Thankfully, you can get rid of them easily at home. Check out the infographic below to learn ways to remove a splinter safely. You need to seek medical help if you cannot remove a splinter entirely, the wound where the sprinter has entered is bleeding profusely, or if the splinter is embedded beneath a toenail or a fingernail. How do you tell if a splinter is infected? Signs of an infected splinter wound include warmth in the area, redness, swelling, and pus.
