Sophia Delgado
Getting a splinter is painful, and removing one from a nail bed can be difficult and painful too. Splinters are small, foreign objects that get embedded in the skin and are most often wood but can also be thorns, glass, metal, or plastic. Removing splinters as soon as possible is important to prevent infection. While most splinters can be removed at home, some are too deep and may require medical attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to remove a splinter | As soon as possible to prevent infection |
| Tools | Tweezers, baking soda, duct tape, hair removal wax, ichthammol ointment, needle, water, soap, bandage, antibiotic ointment |
| Techniques | Wash hands, sterilise tweezers, pull out splinter in the same direction it went in, soak finger in warm water, use tape to cover exposed portion of splinter, apply wax around exposed portion of splinter, sterilise needle, pierce skin under splinter, shave nail plate with blade, irrigate wound, apply antibiotic ointment |
| When to see a doctor | If the splinter is deeply embedded, infected, if there is serious bleeding, if it does not work its way out, if there is an area of inflammation, if it is under the nail, if it does not stop bleeding, if there are signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness), if overdue for a tetanus shot |
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Using tweezers
Removing a splinter from a nail bed can be a tricky and painful process. It is recommended to remove a splinter as soon as possible to prevent infection. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use tweezers to remove a splinter from a nail bed:
Prepare the workspace and tools:
Before starting, ensure you have a pair of tweezers, rubbing alcohol, soap, water, a bowl, a magnifying glass, and a bright light source. Wash your hands with soap and water, and sterilize the tweezers by cleaning them with 70% rubbing alcohol. Allow the tweezers to dry completely before using them. Having clean hands and sterilized tools helps prevent infection.
Expose the splinter:
If the splinter is completely embedded under the nail bed and no part of it is visible, you may need to use a sterilized needle to expose a portion of it. Sterilize the needle with rubbing alcohol or boiling water. Gently pierce the skin around the nail bed and push out one end of the splinter. Be careful not to pierce too deeply, as this can be painful and cause bleeding.
Use tweezers to remove the splinter:
Once a portion of the splinter is exposed, use the tweezers to grasp the end of the splinter firmly. If the splinter is small or difficult to see, use a magnifying glass to help you get a better grip on it. Gently pull the splinter out in the same direction it entered the skin. Avoid squeezing or pinching the skin around the splinter, as this can break the splinter into smaller pieces and make it harder to remove.
Clean the area and apply ointment:
After removing the splinter, wash the area with soap and water to prevent infection. You can also use rubbing alcohol to clean the area if washing with soap and water is difficult. Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment to the affected area to keep it moist and help the skin heal.
Seek medical attention if needed:
If you are unable to remove the splinter completely or if the area becomes infected, seek medical attention. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and discharge (pus). Deep splinters or splinters that are difficult to access may require professional medical removal.
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Baking soda
To use baking soda to remove a splinter, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands.
- Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with water to form a paste.
- Clean the skin around the splinter with soap and water.
- Apply the paste to and around the splinter.
- Place a sterile bandage on top.
- Leave the bandage on for 24 hours, then remove it.
- If the splinter is now sticking out, sterilize a pair of tweezers using alcohol or heat and use them to pull out the splinter.
- Apply antibiotic ointment to the affected area.
- If the splinter is still not visible after removing the bandage, repeat the process until it works its way out.
It is important to note that this method may take several days to be effective, and the baking soda paste may cause swelling, making the splinter harder to remove. If the splinter is still not visible after several attempts, you may need to try a different method or seek medical help.
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Hair removal wax
Firstly, cut your nails carefully to expose the splinter. Heat some hair removal wax and apply it over the exposed part of the splinter, ensuring that it is completely covered. Apply a fabric strip on top of the wax before it dries. Firmly grip the ends of the fabric strip and tear it off quickly, removing the splinter.
If the splinter is deeply embedded in your skin, you may need to seek medical attention. A doctor may have to remove part of your nail to access and remove the splinter.
Before attempting to remove the splinter, it is important to sterilise your equipment and wash your hands and the area around the splinter to prevent infection. If the splinter is only partially embedded in your skin, you can use tweezers to grip and pull out the splinter. If the splinter is completely embedded in your skin, you can use a needle to expose part of the splinter so that it can be removed with tweezers.
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Professional help
If a splinter is deeply embedded in the nail bed, it is best to seek professional help to remove it safely. A doctor may remove some or all of the nail to access the splinter. This can be done by shaving the nail plate with a scalpel or laser. The doctor will then grasp the splinter with forceps, taking care not to push it further into the nail bed.
Before attempting to remove the splinter, a doctor will likely administer a local anaesthetic to numb the area and reduce pain. They may also give you antibiotics to prevent infection.
After removing the splinter, the doctor will irrigate the wound under high pressure and debride any contaminated tissue. They will provide you with routine wound care instructions and schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your recovery.
In some cases, a deep splinter may result in nail dystrophy, where the nail fails to grow back normally. To avoid this, the doctor must exercise caution during the procedure, being careful not to disturb the nail matrix.
It is important to seek professional help if the splinter is very large, deeply embedded, or located in a sensitive area like near the eye. Additionally, if there are signs of infection, such as pain, skin discolouration, swelling, or pus, a medical professional should be consulted to remove the splinter and provide appropriate treatment.
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Removing long nails
If you have long nails and a splinter is embedded underneath, it is recommended to cut back the nail before attempting to remove the splinter. This will allow you to see the area better and access the splinter more easily. Here is a step-by-step guide for removing a splinter from under a long nail:
Prepare the Area and Gather Your Tools:
- Wash your hands and the area around the splinter with soap and water.
- Sterilize a pair of tweezers by soaking them in rubbing alcohol or heating them.
- If needed, sterilize a small needle in the same way.
- Prepare a bowl of warm water and baking soda (optional).
Removing the Splinter:
- If your long nail is obstructing access to the splinter, use small, strong scissors to cut a V-shaped piece of the nail. Ensure that the point of the "V" is at the proximal tip of the splinter.
- Carefully remove the V-shaped portion of the nail using a nail elevator or forceps. Take extreme care not to push the splinter further into the nail bed.
- If the splinter is deeply embedded and no portion is exposed, use the needle to gently pierce your skin right underneath one end of the splinter.
- Once a small part of the splinter is exposed, use the tweezers to grasp the end of the splinter firmly.
- Pull the splinter out slowly in the same direction it went in. Avoid squeezing the splinter or the skin around it, as this may cause the splinter to break into smaller pieces.
- Wash the area with soap and water, and apply an antibiotic ointment.
Alternative Methods:
If the splinter is too small or difficult to grip with tweezers, you can try alternative methods:
- Soak your finger in warm water mixed with baking soda. Do this twice a day for several days until the splinter is close enough to the surface to be removed with tweezers.
- Use hair removal wax to mould around the exposed portion of the splinter. Apply a fabric strip on top and quickly rip it off in the opposite direction of the splinter's entry.
- Cover the exposed portion of the splinter with duct tape or regular adhesive tape. Quickly remove the tape in the opposite direction of the splinter's entry.
If the splinter is deeply embedded or located under the nail bed, it is recommended to seek professional medical help to avoid permanent damage to your nail bed. Do not try to dig out the splinter if it is inaccessible, as this can be extremely difficult and painful.
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