Ava Monroe
Getting a splinter is a common injury, but it can be difficult and painful to remove larger and deeper splinters at home. Deep splinters under the nail may require medical attention, but there are several methods you can try at home first. If part of the splinter is sticking out, you can use tweezers to grab and pull it out. If the splinter is fully embedded under the skin, you can use a sterilised needle to bring it to the surface and then use tweezers to remove it. Soaking the area in warm water or applying a baking soda paste can also help to coax out the splinter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to see a doctor | If the splinter is deep under your nail, or has already become infected, or is causing serious and excessive bleeding, or is in a difficult location, see a doctor. |
| Home remedies | Sterilize a pair of tweezers in rubbing alcohol. Wash your hands and the area around the splinter. Soak the area in warm water and baking soda. Use tape to remove the splinter. Cover the area in manuka honey and cover it with a bandage for a few hours or overnight. |
| Professional removal | The doctor can remove the splinter and give you antibiotics. In most cases, the doctor will give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area and reduce the pain of removal. Deeper splinters may require the physician to numb the area and then make an incision with a scalpel to remove the splinter. |
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What You'll Learn
When to see a doctor
It is recommended that you seek medical attention for a deep splinter under your nail. Deep splinters under the nail can be extremely difficult to remove at home and may require a doctor's intervention.
If the splinter is deeply embedded under your nail, it may be impossible to remove at home, and a doctor should be consulted. In some cases, a doctor may need to remove part or all of the nail to access and remove the splinter completely. This is because splinters under the nail can be very painful and hard to remove.
If you are unable to remove the splinter at home, do not continue to dig it out, as this can cause more damage to the surrounding skin and increase the risk of infection. Instead, see a healthcare professional who can safely remove the splinter and reduce the risk of infection.
You should also see a doctor if the splinter has caused an infection. Signs of infection include pain, redness, swelling, and discharge (pus) around the splinter. If the splinter has become infected, a doctor can remove it, clean the area, and may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Additionally, if the splinter is causing serious bleeding or is located near or in your eye, seek immediate medical attention.
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Removing with tweezers
Removing a splinter with tweezers is a common method, but it's important to exercise caution to prevent infection and further injury. Firstly, if the splinter is deeply embedded under your nail, it is recommended to seek professional medical help. Do not attempt to dig out the splinter, as this can be extremely painful and cause permanent damage.
If the splinter is not deeply embedded, you can try the following method with tweezers. First, find a well-lit area so you can properly see the splinter and the surrounding area. Wash your hands and sterilize the tweezers with rubbing alcohol or heat. If the splinter is fully embedded under the skin, you may need to use a sterilized needle to gently push out one end of the splinter. Be sure to sterilize the needle with rubbing alcohol before use.
Once part of the splinter is exposed, use the tweezers to grab the end of the splinter that is sticking out. Get a firm grip on the splinter and pull it out slowly and gently in the same direction that it went in. If the splinter breaks during this process, do not pinch the skin, as this can cause further breakage and increase the risk of infection. Instead, try using duct tape to remove the remaining splinter.
After removing the splinter, wash the area with soap and water, and apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. You may also place a bandage over the area if it is bleeding or likely to get infected.
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Removing with a needle
If a splinter is fully embedded under your nail, a needle may be the best tool to remove it. Before attempting to remove the splinter, it is important to sterilize the needle with rubbing alcohol or boiling water. Wash your hands and the area around the splinter with soap and water. If the splinter is underneath your nail, you may wish to cut back your nail to make it easier to access the splinter.
Once the area is cleaned and prepared, use the needle to gently pierce the skin and push out an end of the splinter. You can then use tweezers to grip the exposed end of the splinter and pull it out in the same direction that it went in. If the splinter is too small to grip with tweezers, you may need to use duct tape to remove it. To do this, cover the splinter with duct tape and leave it on for 30 minutes, then slowly peel off the tape in the opposite direction to which the splinter entered your skin.
If the splinter is too deep and difficult to remove at home, it is important to see a doctor or healthcare professional. Deep splinters may require anesthetic, numbing the area, or making an incision with a scalpel to remove the splinter completely. If the splinter is not removed promptly, it may become infected.
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Soaking in warm water
Soaking the affected area in warm water is an effective way to remove a deep splinter under your nail. The warmth of the water makes the skin more pliable, and the splinter can be drawn out.
To do this, fill a container with warm water. You can add a tablespoon of baking soda to the water, which can help to draw out the splinter. You can also use Epsom salts, which create pressure and help bring foreign materials to the surface. Soak the affected finger in this solution for 10 minutes or so. You can also soak a small washcloth in the solution and apply it to the affected area.
After soaking, the splinter may be close enough to the skin to be removed with tweezers. If the splinter is still embedded, you can use a sterilized needle to gently expose a portion of it and then grip it with tweezers.
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Using baking soda
Baking soda can be used to remove a deep splinter under the nail. It is a disinfectant that minimises bleeding and draws the splinter close to the surface of the skin.
Firstly, clean and dry the area around the splinter. Wash your skin with soap and water and then gently pat the area dry with a paper towel. Before starting the process, it is important to examine the area to understand how big the splinter is and at what angle it is going into the skin. This will help you avoid pressing the splinter deeper when applying the paste and band-aid.
Next, make a paste with baking soda and water. In a small cup or container, add a generous amount of baking soda and then add water in small increments. Mix until you form a thick paste. The paste should be spreadable, and there is no precise ratio of baking soda to water.
Once the paste is ready, apply it to the splinter using your fingers or a paper towel. Be careful not to push the splinter deeper into the skin when applying the paste. Remember the angle at which it is driven into the skin and be gentle.
After applying the paste, cover the spot with a band-aid. Make sure to cover the splinter completely with the cotton portion of the band-aid. Leave the band-aid on for 24 hours, and then remove it. The splinter should be closer to the surface of the skin at this point. If the baking soda paste dries out or sneaks out from under the band-aid, use medical sticky wrap to stop it from coming out further.
Finally, sterilise a pair of tweezers using alcohol or heat and use them to pluck out the splinter. If the splinter is still not sticking out, you may need to cut back your nail to gain better access to it. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water after removing the splinter. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the affected area to prevent infection and cover it with a bandage until the wound heals.
Note: If the splinter is very deep and this method does not work, you may need to seek medical help to remove it safely.
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Frequently asked questions
If the splinter is deeply embedded under your nail, you should see a healthcare professional. However, you can try to coax it out at home by soaking the area in warm water and baking soda. If that doesn't work, you can try using a sterilized needle to bring the splinter to the surface and then use tweezers to pull it out.
If the splinter is deep under your nail, or has already become infected, you should see a doctor. Signs of infection include pain, redness, swelling, and discharge. If the splinter is causing serious bleeding, go to your local emergency room.
If you can feel a splinter but can't see it, you should get help from a healthcare professional. Poking randomly with needles or tweezers can damage healthy tissue and increase the risk of infection.
A subungual splinter is a splinter lodged under the nail. These types of splinters can be difficult to remove at home and may require medical attention. To remove it, a physician may need to remove a portion of the nail or use a scalpel to make an incision.
After removing a splinter, wash the area thoroughly. If there are signs of infection, see a doctor, who can prescribe antibiotics.
