Noah Sinclair
Getting a splinter is annoying and painful, and it can become infected if not removed promptly. Splinters under a fingernail or toenail can be especially challenging to remove and may require a doctor's visit. However, there are several methods you can try at home to remove a splinter from underneath a nail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to see a doctor | When the splinter is deep under your nail, causing serious bleeding, or has become infected (redness, swelling, pain) |
| Home removal tools | Tweezers, duct tape, needles, nail clippers, glue, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, water, ice, Epsom salts, honey |
| Home removal steps | Wash hands and affected area, sterilize tools, use tweezers to grab splinter, pull out in the direction it went in, wash and bandage area |
| Additional tips | Soak area in warm water, use a magnifying glass, sterilize with rubbing alcohol, use needle to drag across splinter, use ice to numb area, file down nail |
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What You'll Learn
Wash the area with soap and water
If you're attempting to remove a splinter at home, it's important to take precautions to prevent infection. Before you start, wash your hands and the affected area with soap and water. This is a crucial step, as it helps to ensure that the area is clean and reduces the risk of infection.
When dealing with a splinter underneath a nail, it's important to be extra cautious. Make sure you have good lighting and, if needed, use a magnifying glass to properly inspect the splinter and its entry point. This will help you determine the best approach for removal. Remember to sterilize any tools you plan to use, such as tweezers or needles, by dipping them in rubbing alcohol or boiling water.
If the splinter is completely embedded under your nail, you may need to use a needle to carefully expose a part of it. Wash your hands again before touching any sterilized equipment. Once the splinter is accessible, use sanitized tweezers to gently grasp and pull out the splinter in the same direction it entered the skin. Avoid squeezing the splinter or the surrounding skin, as this could break the splinter into smaller pieces and complicate the removal process.
After successfully removing the splinter, it is important to wash the area again and apply a bandage to keep it clean and protected. Remember to dispose of the used needle and tweezers safely, and always seek medical attention if the splinter is deep, infected, or causing excessive bleeding.
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Use tweezers to grab the splinter
If the splinter is embedded under your nail, you may need to use tweezers to remove it. Before you begin, sterilise your tweezers by dipping them in 70% rubbing alcohol or boiling water. Allow the tweezers to dry completely before using them.
If the splinter is completely embedded under your skin, you may need to use a needle to coax it out. First, sterilise your needle with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. Pierce your skin right underneath one end of the splinter and slowly push it out.
Once the splinter is sticking out, use the tweezers to grab it. Gently pinch the end of the splinter with the tweezers and pull it out slowly in the same direction it went in. Try not to squeeze the splinter or the skin around it, as this could break the splinter into smaller pieces and make it harder to remove.
If the splinter is too small for the tweezers to grip, you can use duct tape or glue to remove it. Simply press a small piece of tape or glue onto the splinter and wait for a few minutes. Then, slowly peel it off in the opposite direction to which the splinter entered your skin. The tape or glue should bring the splinter with it.
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Use duct tape to remove the splinter
If you have a splinter underneath your nail, it is best to seek professional medical help. However, if you are unable to do so, you can try using duct tape to remove the splinter at home.
Duct tape is a strong adhesive that can be used to remove deeper splinters. To use this method, first, sterilize the area around the splinter by washing it with soap and water. Then, take a piece of duct tape and cover the affected area. Leave the tape on for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, slowly peel off the duct tape in the opposite direction to the way the splinter entered your skin. This method works best if the splinter is near the surface of your skin or if a part of it is already sticking out.
If the duct tape method does not work the first time, it is worth trying again. If the splinter has fully punctured your skin and no part of it is visible, you may need to expose part of it using a needle. After exposing part of the splinter, use sanitized tweezers to remove it.
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Use a needle to coax the splinter out
If the splinter is deeply embedded under your nail, you may need to use a needle to coax it out. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Sterilise the needle
Firstly, sterilise your needle. You can do this by dipping it in rubbing alcohol or boiling water. Allow the needle to dry completely before using it. It is important to sterilise the needle to prevent infection.
Step 2: Wash the affected area
Before attempting to remove the splinter, wash the area and nail where it is located. You can use soap and water, or if this is too painful, you can use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.
Step 3: Expose the splinter
If your nail is long, you may need to trim it to better access the splinter. Once you have better access, gently poke a hole in your skin with the needle directly over the end of the splinter that is closest to the surface. Push the needle under the nail towards the end of the splinter, and use it to pry out and expose a portion of the splinter.
Step 4: Remove the splinter
Once you have exposed enough of the splinter, you can use tweezers to grip the end and pull it out in the same direction it went in. If the splinter is very small, you may be able to use your fingernails to remove it instead of tweezers. Wash the area thoroughly after removing the splinter.
When to seek medical help
If the splinter is completely underneath the skin, deeply embedded, or if the area is infected, it is best to seek professional medical help. Do not attempt to remove the splinter at home if you cannot see it, as this can cause damage to healthy tissue and increase the risk of infection.
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Visit a doctor if the splinter is deep or infected
It is recommended that you visit a doctor if the splinter is deep or infected. Deep splinters may require the physician to numb the area and then make an incision with a scalpel to remove the splinter. If the splinter is underneath the fingernail, the doctor may have to remove a portion of the nail to allow for the complete removal of the splinter.
If part of the splinter is still embedded in the skin after attempting to remove it at home, a doctor should be able to remove the rest. If the splinter has caused an infection, the doctor will clean the area and explore the infected area to remove the splinter. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection.
In most cases, a doctor will be able to numb the area with a local anesthetic to reduce any pain during the procedure. If the splinter is causing serious and excessive bleeding, go to your local emergency room to have it removed.
Some types of splinters, such as glass or porcupine quills, should be removed by a healthcare professional to avoid infection. Wood splinters, in particular, can be difficult to remove due to their uneven edges, and if all parts of the splinter are not removed, the remaining pieces can cause infection, swelling, and other problems.
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Frequently asked questions
If the splinter is sticking out, use tweezers to grab it and pull it out in the same direction it went in. If the splinter is fully embedded under the skin, use a small needle to help coax it out. First, sterilize the needle by dipping it in rubbing alcohol. Then, pierce the skin right underneath one end of the splinter and slowly coax that end out. Once part of the splinter is sticking out, use tweezers to pull it out.
Soak your finger in warm water mixed with one tablespoon of baking soda. You may need to do this up to twice a day for several days before the splinter is close enough to the skin to be removed with tweezers or for it to fall out on its own. You can also try using hair removal wax, duct tape, or school glue.
If the splinter is deeply embedded in an awkward place, you may need to see a doctor. If the splinter is underneath a fingernail or toenail, it is recommended to see a healthcare professional. If the splinter site won't stop bleeding, is red, swollen, hot, or painful, you should seek medical help to treat a potential infection.
