One of the most common injuries from daily outdoor work or activity is getting splinters lodged in your extremities. Learning how to draw out a splinter will really help. It certainly isn’t the worst type of injury, but it would, at the very least, be uncomfortable.
It will especially be the case if you get one lodged in the hands or feet- which are the most common areas for catching splinters. In this article, we will tell you some ways to hopefully draw out a splinter and have various ways of treatment.
Usual ways to draw out a splinter
In this section, we will show you some possibly unconventional ways of treating a splinter. There are invasive and less invasive ways of removing a splinter, some of which may surprise you.
Removal By Tweezers:
A splinter should be removed with tweezers if the splinter is small in size. Some other options may only be able to draw the object closer to the surface.
As a side note, this method, just as with any other tool that would be used for wound care, must be sanitized.
Needle:
This can be used as an alternative to tweezers and in some cases, could work better for finding and removing a deeply embedded splinter in a finger. It would be best to pry it out, which could be done with a set of tweezers along with a needle.
Toe Nail Clippers:
This is also a method of removal of splinters. That is if it is all you can use for removing a splinter. The specific use for toenail clippers is really for toenail clipping and may not be ideal for removing a splinter over a specific size due to the limited usability.
Unconventional ways on how to draw out a splinter:
Tape:
This splinter removal method will probably be the most useful for smaller and harder to grab foreign objects. The type of tape you use is important and should be extremely sticky.
You may be able to use clear scotch tape, but duct tape or even electrical tape would work best. It will probably cause minor pain and discomfort.
Hydrogen Peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide can be extremely useful when figuring out how to draw out a splinter. It happens through a chemical reaction that makes it bubble.
This reaction occurs because a chemical produced from hydrogen peroxide interacts with damaged skin called catalase.
The body can also produce catalase as a result of eating cruciferous veggies such as cabbage, kale, and broccoli.
Oil or vinegar:
Another great option is using oil or vinegar to push a splinter out of the body. But it is more likely that it would only move it closer to the surface and make it easier to extract.
Rubbing either substance on the affected area of the skin will work.
After several minutes (it may take up to 20 minutes, depending on how deeply embedded the object is), the splinter will become more visible.
Baking Soda and Water:
What can’t baking soda do? It can do it all. Baking soda is something that you most likely have in your home already.
It can be used to make a paste that can then be applied to a wound, creating some swelling and eventually moving the splinter closer to the surface.
It may take up to 2 or 3 hours, and the splinter will be easier to remove.
Honey:
Even though for some, honey has become a rare commodity and condiment that people use. Honey has immense value as an all-around remedy for the immune system.
In the case of a splinter, it can be used as a topical skin treatment that will slowly move the splinter to the surface and is best applied on a bandage and to the wound.
Using vegetables & fruits:
A strange and surprising use for vegetables such as potatoes and onions is that they can help draw a foreign object close to the upper layer of skin and minimize swelling and inflammation.
This method is done by slicing the thinnest slice possible and applying it or affixing it to the skin for several hours.
A banana peel can also be used to do this method with a banana peel also.
Other Considerations on how to draw out a splinter
The mistreatment of a splinter could result in an infection. Even though an infection is less likely to happen if the splinter is left in, it could still happen depending on how substantial the splinter is and if it is lodged in an area where constant pressure is applied such as the feet.
There could be increased inflammation and cause a permanent bump or imperfection in the skin if left untreated.
How to Treat and Manage an Infection
An infection from a wound that has been left untreated or may be lodged in a place where a combination of pressure and inflammation could be two of the key causes of infection.
Usually, an infection is caused by bacteria that gets into the wound. You may need to use antibiotic ointment for an infected wound.
However, It is best to consult your doctor about what treatments may work.
What will cause an Infection From a Minor Injury?
Any wound that would require long-term care may be at the highest risk for infections, but, the quicker you remove the cause of an injury, even if it is glass or rusty metal, the risk will be lowered.
It is not typically a splinter on its own or any foreign object that causes an infection, at least not on its own.
But a foreign object may carry bacteria which gets into the blood and causes an immune response of inflammation to the area until the foreign object is removed.
Conclusion
These tips and methods for removing a splinter will be helpful. Any of the methods shown here are equally able to either minimize pain or make the splinter/foreign object much easier to remove.
It is essential to understand that in most cases, an inflammatory response is necessary for the body to get rid of a splinter and will do what needs to do to prevent infection and remove the splinter.
