How to remove a splinter on the foot or finger?

How to remove a splinter effectively? A splinter is something that happens very quickly without our being able to react. Whether it is a splinter on a finger or in the foot, it can cause discomfort and even pain.
This is why it is necessary to act quickly in order to get the splinter out of the skin. I offer you 10 tips and tricks to quickly remove a splinter.

Tips for removing a splinter:

1. Disinfect the place where the splinter, thorn is

First of all, it is important to disinfect the place where the splinter penetrated the skin. Whether it’s a thorn, a small splinter of wood or whatever, it’s very important to disinfect.

Find the place where the splinter has penetrated the skin and apply an antiseptic to the wound or clean it well with soap and water.

Be careful not to press too hard while disinfecting the wound so as not to push the splinter further into the skin. Because a deep splinter is much more difficult to remove.

2. Soften the skin to remove a deep splinter

Before testing one of our tips for removing a splinter or thorn from the skin, it is important to prepare your skin.

Indeed, before extracting a splinter it is important to soften the skin at the level of the wound. This will make it much easier and above all less painful to remove the splinter.

Super simple here is how to do it:

Soak the affected area in a basin of warm soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes.

You can also add an oily substance, such as petroleum jelly, to the skin to further soften the skin after the hot water step. It will be much easier and faster to remove the splinter.

3. Duct tape for splinters that are too fragile

Sometimes the splinters are too fragile to try to remove them with pliers or other small accessories. So what to use to get it out without breaking it and leaving a piece of the splinter in the skin?

The solution is to use duct tape!

Indeed, all you have to do is take an adhesive tape and apply it to the level of the splinter and pull gently afterwards to remove the splinter. This trick is especially effective for small splinters of wood and especially shallow splinters in the skin.

4. Tweezers or tweezers

Of course if you want to use a small accessory or tool to remove a splinter then the tweezers or better the splinter pliers are the best solution.

Tweezers are only effective for a splinter that protrudes from the skin and is not too fragile. Indeed, because if you cut the splinter and a piece remains stuck deep in the skin it will be much more difficult and painful to get it out.

Remember to disinfect the tip of the tweezers or tweezers with a little alcohol to avoid infection.

To prevent and avoid doing anything next time, here are pliers specially designed to extract a splinter:

5. Use a needle to reach the splinter

If you don’t have access to the splinter and can’t remove it safely with forceps, then a needle may be the answer. Here’s how to go about removing it:

• Soak your finger or foot in hot water with coarse salt.
• Leave the skin to act in the water for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
• Take the needle (it is important to disinfect the needle before use) and gently pull apart the skin around the splinter.
• Once the splinter is accessible, use the splinter forceps to gently remove it.

6. Let the splinter come out of the skin on its own

If you don’t want to scratch the skin or use a tool to remove the splinter then just let it come out on its own.

It may seem trivial, but if the splinter is not too deep in the skin, this tip may be useful to you:

• Soak your finger in hot water with baking soda added.
• Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat 2 or 3 times during the day.
• After 2 or 3 days the splinter will withdraw by itself because of the swelling of the skin at the level of the wound.

Be careful, if the splinter is too deep or is located under the nail, for example, this trick will not be effective. Better to use tweezers.

7. Remove a splinter with a potato

Now how about trying out a home remedy for splinters? I like to test and add to the various articles on 10-Trucs 1 or 2 remedies on occasion!

So did you know that potato can be effective in removing splinters? Here’s how to use it on the skin:

• Cut a slice of potato (a very thin slice) and apply it to the wound.
• Apply well and cover the slice with a bandage.
• Leave on overnight and the next morning the splinter will be easier to remove.

This grandmother’s trick is « curiously » effective. After a few hours the splinter actually seems to come out of the skin.

But be careful, if the splinter is very deep or if the skin is closed over the splinter then it won’t work, you have been warned!

8. Apply green clay to the splinter

Another effective trick that works while you sleep at night is green clay, but beware, green clay in paste form.

• Apply green clay paste to completely cover the splinter area.
• Cover the wound and the green clay with a bandage and leave on overnight.
• The next morning check and if the splinter is accessible use tweezers to remove it.

You can also use powdered green clay which you then mix with water to make a homemade paste.

9. Apply pressure to remove the splinter

If you don’t like the idea of ​​cutting into the skin around your splinter, have you tried just applying pressure?

Indeed, a simple pressure of the fingertips by pushing gently but firmly in the direction of the splinter can make it come out.

Don’t forget to wash your hands first!

As with the use of a tool, it is important to wash and disinfect your hands and fingers thoroughly before applying this pressure.

10. When to consult a health specialist?

If you are unable to remove the splinter or if it is a foreign body that could be dangerous to your health, you must quickly consult a health specialist.

Here are some situations that should convince you to consult:

• If you feel severe pain where the splinter is.
• If you notice an infection with a lot of redness in the wound.
• If the splinter is very deep in the skin.
• If the splinter is located very far under a fingernail.
• If the splinter is very close to your eye or other sensitive areas of the body.
• If it is a shard of glass, metal or other metals or objects.