Noah Sinclair
Getting a splinter is a common occurrence, but what happens when it's under your nail? Splinters under the nail can be challenging to remove and may require medical attention. While some suggest home remedies such as soaking the affected area in warm water and baking soda, or using tweezers to extract the splinter, others advise seeking professional help, especially if the splinter is deeply embedded or if the area becomes infected. In such cases, a doctor may need to remove part of the nail or use a scalpel to ensure complete removal of the splinter. So, will a splinter under the nail grow out? It's unlikely, and given the potential for infection, it's best to take action and remove it as soon as possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Will a splinter under the nail grow out? | No, it will not grow out. It needs to be removed. |
| What are splinters? | Splinters are "foreign bodies" that get embedded under the skin. They are usually tiny pieces of wood but can also be metal, glass, or plastic. |
| How to remove a splinter under the nail? | Soak the affected area in warm water with baking soda or Epsom salt solution twice daily. This will help coax out the splinter. Once the splinter is exposed, use tweezers to pull it out. If the splinter is embedded too deep, use a sterilized needle to move it and expose a portion that can be gripped with tweezers. |
| When to see a doctor? | If the splinter is deeply embedded, infected, or causing pain and bleeding, see a doctor. A doctor may have to remove a portion of the nail or use a scalpel to remove the splinter. |
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What You'll Learn
Removing a splinter at home
While splinters are usually a mild inconvenience, they can be painful and annoying. If left unattended for too long, they can also become infected. Here are some ways to remove a splinter at home:
Wash and Inspect
First, wash and dry the area around the splinter. If the splinter is small, use a magnifying glass to determine its size and entry point. Inspect to see if any part of the splinter is sticking out.
Tweezers
If part of the splinter is sticking out, you can use tweezers to gently pull it out. Sterilise the tweezers with rubbing alcohol and wash your hands before touching any sterilised equipment. Pull out the splinter in the same direction that it entered the skin.
Duct Tape
If the splinter is fully embedded in the skin, you can use duct tape to remove it. Place tape over the exposed portion of the splinter and then remove the tape quickly.
Needle and Tweezers
If the splinter is completely beneath the skin, you may need to use a needle to expose part of it. Disinfect the needle with rubbing alcohol and then puncture the skin over the part of the splinter closest to the surface. You can then use tweezers to pinch the splinter and pull it out gently and slowly.
Fruits and Vegetables
Some sources suggest that certain fruits and vegetables can help remove a splinter. Cut a small slice of onion, potato, or banana peel and use a band-aid to affix it to the skin. After a day or overnight, the splinter should be closer to the surface.
Baking Soda
If the splinter is deeply embedded under a nail, you can try coaxing it out using warm water and baking soda. Soak your finger in warm water mixed with baking soda. You may need to do this up to twice a day for several days until the splinter is close enough to the skin to be removed with tweezers or falls out on its own.
If the splinter is very large, positioned near the eye, or appears infected, it is recommended to ask a medical professional to remove it.
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When to see a doctor
While most splinters can be removed at home, there are some instances where you should seek medical attention. Deep splinters that are fully embedded in the skin may require a doctor's help as they can be challenging to remove and may need to be removed with a scalpel under anaesthetic. If the splinter is under your nail, it may be impossible to remove at home and a doctor may need to remove part of the nail to access the splinter.
If the splinter is infected, you should see a doctor. Signs of infection include discharge (pus), increased pain, redness, swelling, or red streaking. If the area around the splinter is inflamed, a doctor may need to remove the inflamed area with a scalpel. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics. If the wound is large, the doctor may use stitches to close it. Depending on your vaccination status, you may also require a tetanus shot.
If the splinter is not removed, it may become infected. Therefore, if you are unable to remove the splinter at home, it is best to seek medical attention. This is especially important if the splinter is made of glass, as these fragments are challenging to remove at home because they are not easily visible.
If you are unsure whether to see a doctor, it is always best to seek medical advice.
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How to prevent infection
To prevent infection from a splinter under your nail, it is important to remove the splinter as soon as possible. Splinters are full of germs and can easily lead to an infection if left unattended. Here are some ways to prevent infection:
Firstly, if the splinter is visible and accessible, it is recommended to remove it at home. Wash the affected area with soap and water, or use an antiseptic such as alcohol or Betadine. Sterilize a pair of tweezers by dipping them in rubbing alcohol or boiling water, then use the tweezers to grab the protruding end of the splinter and pull it out in the same direction it went in.
If the splinter is deeply embedded under your nail, it may be necessary to soak your finger in a solution of warm water and baking soda twice a day. This will help to coax out the splinter by softening the skin around it. You can also try using tape to remove the splinter. Place tape over the exposed portion of the splinter and then remove it quickly.
If the splinter is too deep to remove at home, or if you are unable to remove it successfully, it is important to see a doctor to prevent infection. Do not delay seeking medical attention, as an infection under the nail can spread quickly and cause serious complications. The doctor may remove a portion of the nail to allow for easier extraction of the splinter, and they may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent or treat an infection.
In summary, to prevent infection from a splinter under your nail, it is crucial to act promptly and either remove the splinter at home or seek medical assistance if it is too deep or inaccessible.
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Splinter removal tools
While some splinters under the nail may grow out, it is often a painful and challenging process. To avoid this, there are several tools and methods available for splinter removal. Here are some options to consider:
Tweezers
One of the most common tools for splinter removal is a pair of tweezers. It is recommended to use sterile tweezers to prevent infection. You can sterilize tweezers using rubbing alcohol or by boiling them in water. Fine-point tweezers are ideal for grasping small, hard-to-reach splinters.
Splinter Removal Kits
Specialized splinter removal kits, such as the Medipoint Splinter Out or SplinterAid, offer a convenient and sterile option for removing splinters. These kits typically include sterile, high-grade stainless steel tools with a tri-bevel point and easy-to-grip design, making it easier to loosen and pull out splinters. They are compact and portable, perfect for first aid kits and travel.
Needle
If the splinter is deeply embedded under the nail and cannot be grasped with tweezers, a sterilized needle can be used to coax it out. Soaking the affected area in warm water with soap or a solution of warm water and baking soda can help soften the skin and make it easier to remove the splinter with a needle.
Tape
Another simple method for splinter removal is using tape. Place tape over the exposed portion of the splinter and then quickly remove it. Clear tape is ideal as it allows you to see the splinter for better precision.
Ointment
In some cases, you can use an ointment to expel the splinter naturally. Apply a small amount of ointment, such as ichthammol, to the area and cover it with a bandage for 24 hours. If the splinter has not been expelled, it may be more accessible, and you can attempt to remove it with tweezers.
It is important to note that if the splinter is deeply embedded and difficult to remove, it is recommended to seek medical assistance to prevent further complications.
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Types of splinters
While most people associate splinters with tiny pieces of wood, there are many other types of splinters. Splinters are fragments of a larger object or foreign bodies that penetrate or are injected into the body. They are often first detected by the person with the splinter and can cause initial pain through the ripping of flesh and muscle.
Wood
Wooden splinters are the most common type, usually contracted from lumber or other vegetative materials. They are associated with inflammation and the risk of infection, so they must be removed from wounds. Larger or deeper wooden splinters can be difficult to remove or locate.
Metal
Metal splinters can be detected using projectional radiography or medical ultrasonography. They can be removed at home with tweezers or a needle, but it is important to sterilize the equipment first to prevent infection.
Glass
Glass splinters can also be located using projectional radiography or medical ultrasonography. Like metal splinters, they can often be removed at home with proper sterilization techniques.
Plastic
Some types of plastic splinters can be detected using projectional radiography, while others are better detected by medical ultrasonography. Plastic splinters may be removed at home with tweezers or a needle if they are accessible.
Other less common sources of splinters include hair, sea urchins, insect stings, stingray spines, and even grenade shrapnel.
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Frequently asked questions
You can try to remove the splinter yourself by using tweezers to grip the protruding end and pull it out in the same direction it went in. If the splinter is too small to be removed with tweezers, you can try soaking your finger in warm water mixed with baking soda or Epsom salts. This will help to coax the splinter out from under the nail. If the splinter is deeply embedded, you may need to cut back your nail to gain better access.
If the splinter is deeply embedded, infected, or causing pain or bleeding, you should see a doctor. If part of the splinter breaks off and remains embedded in the skin, a doctor will be able to remove the rest.
Doctors may need to remove part of the nail or use a scalpel to remove the splinter. They may also numb the area with an anesthetic injection.
