Overview Of Splinter
A splinter is a thin piece of material (such as wood, glass, or metal) that gets embedded just below the top layer of your skin.
To remove a material, first, wash your hands with soap and water. Use tweezers to grab the material. Carefully pull it out at the same angle it went in.
If the splinter is under the skin or hard to grab:
- Sterilize a pin or needle by soaking it in rubbing alcohol or placing the tip in a flame.
- Wash your hands with soap.
- Use the pin to gently remove the skin over the splinter.
- Then use the tip of the pin to lift the end of the material out.
- You may need to use tweezers to pull out the material after you lift it.
- After the splinter is out, wash the area with soap and water. Pat the area dry. (Don’t rub.) Apply antibiotic ointment. Bandage the cut if it is likely to get dirty.
See your health care provider if there is inflammation or pus, or if the splinter is deeply embedded. Also, seek medical attention if the material is in your eye or close to it.
