Removing a Splinter

Splinters: they might be a tiny sliver of wood, glass, or metal, but they’re a huge menace when they get embedded under the surface of your skin. To help prevent splinters, always wear heavy gloves when working with wood, glass, or metal. And remember, splinters can become infected if left under the skin for too long, so your best bet is to get them out right away. The Mayo Clinic offers a few tips for removing splinters:

• Wash your hands and the area with the splinter with soap and water.
• Gently pinch the area around the splinter, grab the end of the shard with sterilized tweezers, and slowly pull it out at the same angle at which it went in. (To sterilize a pair of tweezers or a needle, boil them in water for five minutes or rinse with rubbing alcohol.)
• If the splinter is completely under the skin, use a sterilized needle to cut a tiny slit in the skin so you can access the end of the splinter.
• Wash the area with soap and water, then apply antibiotic ointment.
• If the affected area becomes red or inflamed, or if you are not able to remove the splinter yourself, see your doctor right away.

If you happen to get one of these pesky particles stuck in your skin, don’t worry. Luckily, most splinters are shallow and can be easily removed.