A splinter can cause a lot of trouble if it is not removed from the affected tissues in time – especially if an infection has entered the wound with a foreign object. We tell you how to do it quickly and painlessly using improvised means.
In most cases, a splinter – be it a piece of wood, plastic, or even metal – can be removed on your own at home. Before the procedure, be sure to wash the skin well with soap and water and pat dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. If you are going to use metal instruments, clean them with alcohol or another antiseptic solution.
But: if the damaged area begins to swell, ache, bleed, or the splinter has penetrated too deeply, seek professional medical help.
Decided to remove a splinter with your own hands? Here are six simple tools you may need:
Honey
Honey is a natural antibiotic that will help relieve inflammation on the skin and reduce pain. Lubricate the wound generously with honey. Apply the product every 2-3 hours until the edge of the splinter appears on the surface.
PVA glue
PVA glue will help if the splinter is stuck shallowly. Apply a few drops of the product to the damaged area and let it dry. Then remove the resulting film from the skin. A splinter is likely to painlessly crawl out of the wound with it.
Bread with milk
This is a well-known method for removing metal splinters, which was widely used by our grandmothers. Heat a small amount of milk to a temperature of 30-40 degrees. Break off a piece of bread and soak it in milk. Then apply the crumb to the wound and cover with a bandage or a piece of adhesive tape. Keep the compress on as long as possible. Pain and inflammation should decrease, and the splinter should be easy to get out of the wound.
Vinegar
If the splinter is deep under the skin, use table or apple cider vinegar to move it closer to the surface. Pour the product into a deep glass dish and hold your finger in it for 15-20 minutes. Then try to remove the splinter with tweezers. If necessary, repeat the procedure again.
Duct tape
Use sticky tape if you can see the tip of the splinter but can’t pick it up with tweezers. Stick the adhesive tape to the damaged area, gently rub it with your fingertips and wait 5 minutes. Then remove the tape in one gentle motion in the opposite direction from where the splinter entered. Â
Lavender essential oil has a similar effect. Apply a few drops to clean skin, cover with a bandage and wait 2-3 hours. The oil will push the splinter out of the wound and you can easily remove it with tweezers.
Epsom salt
Epsom salt has many health benefits. It is both an exfoliator and an anti-inflammatory agent that will help relieve swelling and facilitate the removal of a foreign body from the wound. Magnesium sulfate increases the osmotic pressure under the skin, causing the tissues to literally push the splinter to the surface.
Sprinkle the damaged area with powder and seal it with a band-aid. Leave the bandage on for several hours, and preferably all night. In the morning, remove the band-aid and try to remove the splinter with tweezers.
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