A splinter is a fragment -- usually of wood, metal or glass -- that becomes embedded under the skin. Anyone who works with these materials knows that splinters are a painful inevitability and can be difficult to get out. Tweezers are the conventional method for removing splinters, although there are some folk and home remedies that can help speed along the splinter removal process and heal the skin as well.
Tweezers
The most common method of removing splinters is with tweezers. Locate the area of skin where the splinter went in and try to find the tip or "head" of the splinter if it is protruding from the skin. If you cannot find the tip of the splinter, squeeze and manipulate the skin around it to try to force it out. Once you've located the head of the splinter, grasp it firmly with the pincers of the tweezers and pull it steadily out until the splinter is fully removed. Check to make sure the splinter didn't leave any shards of foreign material in the wound. Clean the skin where the splinter was removed with antibacterial soap and water to protect against infection.
Heat and Cold
If the splinter is too small to be easily removed with tweezers, or if you're removing a splinter from a small child who is unwilling to sit still for a tweezer removal, consider using simple heat and cold to aid in removing it. Soak the area where the splinter went in in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes to soften the skin, and in the case of wood splinters, cause the wood to expand and often pop out on its own. Alternately, apply ice to the area to numb it and make it easier to dig into the skin with tweezers. First-aid spray will also anesthetize the area and make the splinter less painful for removal.
Folk Remedies
Folks remedies rely on household items that you might be surprised to learn can actually help remove a difficult splinter. Apply pork fat or lard to the area where the splinter is and cover with an adhesive strip. The salt in the fat will draw moisture from the skin and draw the splinter out, too, reflexologist Nuria Weaver writes on the Old Home Remedies website. Paint a small amount of white glue onto the area with the splinter and attach a piece of cotton or gauze. Allow the glue to dry, then pull off the cotton with the splinter glued to it. The same can be done by placing a piece of duct tape over the area.
Possible Complications
Splinters are uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, but generally harmless. However, if left unattended, they can cause a build-up of pus in the area and may cause an infection. A large splinter can cause the area around it to bruise, swell or even bleed. If you have a splinter larger than 1/3 inch in your skin, consider seeking medical attention to remove it safely.
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