Splinters

You probably don't get as many splinters as you did when you were a kid. But they can still zap you when you least expect it.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Splinter?

• a small speck or line under the skin, usually on the hands or feet
• a feeling that something is stuck under the skin
• pain at the location of the splinter

Very tiny splinters that are near the surface of the skin and aren't painful don’t need to be removed and will come out on their own in a few days. Just keep the area clean and watch for signs of infection.

If a splinter is deep and causes pain, take it out as soon as you spot it. This helps prevent infection and makes removal easier because the skin won't have time to heal over it.

How Can I Remove a Splinter?

Here's how to remove a splinter:

1. Clean the area. Wash your hands, then wash the area surrounding the splinter with soap and warm tap water.
2. Sterilize a needle and some tweezers with rubbing alcohol. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol, you can put the ends of each in boiling water, then wipe them off with a clean cotton ball or pad.
3. Gently pull out the splinter. If the end of the splinter is still poking out of your skin, you should be able to remove it using the tweezers.Get a firm grip on the end of the splinter and pull slowly and gently at the same angle as the splinter went into the skin. (Pulling too quickly or at the wrong angle can break the splinter and make it harder to remove the part that's still in your skin.) If there's no end to grab, use the sterilized needle to gently scrape the skin away from the splinter until there's enough of an end to grab with the tweezers.
4. Check to be sure all pieces of the splinter came out. Then, wash the area with soap and warm water once more. If the opening left by the splinter is noticeable, cover it with a bandage to help prevent infection.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Usually, splinters can be handled at home. But in some cases, you might have to visit the doctor. See a doctor if:

• The splinter seems to be too deep.
• The area is bleeding a lot.
• You can't remove the splinter.
• The area around the splinter looks infected (look for redness, swelling, warmth, or pus).

Can Splinters Be Prevented?

Most splinters are small pieces of wood, although glass, metal, and plastic can be splinters too. You can't always avoid them, but it can help to:

• Wear shoes. Wear sandals or flip-flops instead of barefooting it over a rough wood boardwalk or deck. It's also a good idea to wear water shoes to protect your feet when diving off a dock or wading in water. Of course wood's not the only thing that splinters. If you drop a glass or bottle (or someone with you does), grab some slippers or shoes until the floor's been swept.
• Work smart. If you're working with glass, metal, or wood (such as chopping or sawing tree limbs), eye goggles are a must for protecting your vision. It's also smart to wear gloves to protect your hands from any flying debris. Also, wear gloves when gardening to protect your hands from thorns.