Caleb Foster
Getting a splinter under your nail is a painful experience that can lead to severe throbbing pain. Splinters can be tiny, sliver-like foreign bodies such as pieces of wood, metal, glass, or plastic that get lodged under the skin. If not removed promptly, they can introduce bacteria or fungus into the body and cause infections. While some splinters can be removed at home using tweezers, needles, or natural remedies like baking soda, duct tape, or hair removal wax, others might require medical attention, especially if they are deeply embedded, infected, or in difficult locations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to see a doctor | If the splinter is deep under your nail, has become infected, or is causing serious bleeding, it may need to be removed by a doctor. Signs of infection include pain, redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, and discharge (pus). |
| Home removal methods | Soaking the affected area in warm water, soap, or a solution like hydrogen peroxide, Epsom salt, or baking soda to make the skin more pliable and help draw out the splinter. Using a clean, sterilized needle to bring the splinter to the surface and then removing it with tweezers or duct tape. Cutting or filing the nail to access the splinter. |
| Prevention and aftercare | Wash the affected area with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment or Vaseline, and cover with a bandage. Keep the area clean to prevent infection. |
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What You'll Learn
Soak the affected area in warm water and baking soda
Soaking the affected area in warm water and baking soda is an effective way to remove a splinter from under your nail. This method can be used to coax out deeply embedded splinters that are otherwise too small to grip with tweezers.
To do this, mix one tablespoon of baking soda with warm water. You can soak your finger in this mixture twice a day until the splinter comes out. It may take several days of this treatment for the splinter to come close enough to the skin to be removed with tweezers or for it to fall out on its own.
After removing the splinter, be sure to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. You can also place a bandage over the area if it is bleeding or located in a spot that might get infected.
In addition to baking soda, there are other solutions you can soak the affected area in to help remove a splinter. These include hydrogen peroxide, Epsom salt mixed with water, essential oils (such as lavender oil or tea tree oil), and duct tape. However, when using essential oils, always dilute them with a carrier oil to prevent skin reactions.
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Use tweezers to grab the splinter
Removing a splinter from under your nail can be a tricky process, but it can be done at home. Before you begin, ensure you sterilise your tweezers with rubbing alcohol or boiling water. If the splinter is deeply embedded, you may need to use a needle to expose a portion of it.
Now, find a location with good lighting so you can see the entire area. Using your tweezers, grab the exposed part of the splinter. It is important to get a firm grip on the splinter, so that when you pull, it comes out in the same direction it went in.
If the splinter is too small for the tweezers to grip, you may need to use duct tape or glue. Press a small piece of duct tape onto the splinter and wait a few minutes before pulling it off. The splinter should come out with the tape. Similarly, you can pour glue over the area and wait for it to dry before peeling it off.
If the splinter is deeply embedded, you may need to expose more of it. Push a sterilised needle under the nail, towards the end of the splinter, and use it to pry out the end. Once you have exposed enough of the splinter, you can use the tweezers to grab and pull it out.
After removing the splinter, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment.
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Wash the area with soap and water
If you have a splinter under your nail, it is important to wash the area with soap and water. This is a crucial first step to take before attempting to remove the splinter. By cleansing the area, you reduce the risk of infection and ensure that the splinter and its entry point are clearly visible.
Begin by running warm water over your hands and nails. Use mild soap to create a gentle lather, taking care to thoroughly clean the affected finger, including the area beneath the nail. Pay particular attention to the splinter's entry point and try to wash away any debris or dirt that may be surrounding it. A magnifying glass and good lighting can aid in this process, helping you to identify the exact location and size of the splinter.
Washing the area with soap and water is a simple yet vital step in the splinter removal process. It ensures that your hands are clean and minimizes the chances of introducing additional bacteria or dirt into the wound. This step also softens the skin, making it more pliable, and can help to coax the splinter out slightly, making it easier to grasp and remove.
After thoroughly cleansing the area, dry your hands and proceed with the next steps to remove the splinter. It is important to remember that if the splinter is deeply embedded, causing excessive bleeding, or if the surrounding area becomes infected, you should seek professional medical assistance.
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Use a needle to bring the splinter to the surface
If the splinter is fully embedded under your nail, you may need to use a needle to expose a portion of it. First, sterilise the needle by soaking it in rubbing alcohol or boiling water. Wash your hands before touching any sterilised equipment and clean the skin with an antiseptic such as alcohol or Betadine.
If possible, trim your nail to expose more of the splinter. Then, use the needle to gently push the splinter out towards the end of it. Do not poke into the splinter, but drag the needle across it in different directions until you feel it catch. Keep doing this until the splinter is pushed out enough to grip with tweezers.
Once the splinter is out, clean the area with antiseptic and apply a bandage.
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Visit a doctor if the splinter is deep or infected
If a splinter under your nail is deep or infected, it is best to visit a doctor. Deep splinters may require a local anaesthetic injection to allow for painless removal. If the splinter is infected, the doctor will clean the area, explore the infected area, and remove the splinter. Antibiotics may be prescribed.
If the splinter is causing serious and excessive bleeding, go to your local emergency room to have it removed. If the splinter is embedded under your nail such that you are unable to reach it on your own, or if the skin around the splinter is infected, make an appointment to see your doctor.
You can tell if a splinter is infected if the area remains swollen or red, and if the pain continues after a few days. This could indicate that an infection has developed. In some cases, an infection can spread and cause serious issues.
If you are unable to remove the entire splinter on your own, you may need to see a doctor to have any remaining portions removed.
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Frequently asked questions
You can remove a splinter from under your nail at home by soaking the affected area in warm water for a few minutes to make the skin more pliable. Then, use a clean, sterilised needle to gently pierce the skin and push out an end of the splinter. Once the splinter is at the surface, you can use tweezers to fully remove it.
If the splinter is deep under your nail, or has become infected, you may need to go to a doctor to have it removed. You can tell if a splinter has become infected if the area around it is swollen, red, warm, or tender.
After removing the splinter, wash the area with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment or Vaseline, and cover it with a bandage.
