How to Remove a Splinter from Under Your Nail

A splinter is a small foreign object that somehow punctures the skin and remains beneath it. Most of the time, splinters are made of wood, but they can also be metal, glass, or some types of plastic. Typically, you can remove a splinter on your own, but if it's deeply embedded, especially in hard-to-reach spots, you might need a doctor's help. Splinters under your fingernail or toenail can be very painful and tricky to deal with, but there are some methods you can try at home.

Determine if you need a doctor. If the splinter is deeply lodged under the nail or has become infected, you may need to see a doctor for its removal. You will know the splinter site is infected if it continues to hurt after a few days, and the surrounding skin is swollen or red.

• If the splinter causes heavy bleeding, you should go to the emergency room for treatment.
• If the splinter is too deep under the nail to remove on your own, or if the surrounding skin is infected, schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can help you remove the splinter and prescribe antibiotics if necessary.
• In most cases, the doctor will numb the area to minimize pain while removing the splinter.
• Be aware that the doctor may need to cut part or all of your nail to fully remove the splinter.

Remove the splinter yourself. If you plan to remove the splinter at home, you will need a pair of tweezers (since the splinter will likely be too small to pinch with your fingers). If the splinter is deeply embedded under the nail with no part protruding, you may also need a needle to pry it out.

• Disinfect all the tools you plan to use for removal. You can sterilize the tweezers and needle with rubbing alcohol or boiling water.
• Wash your hands before handling any sterilized tools.
• Clean the area of skin and nail where the splinter is embedded before working to prevent infection. If washing with soap and water is difficult, you can also use rubbing alcohol.
• If the nail is long, you may need to trim the affected nail before attempting removal. This will give you a clearer view.

Use tweezers to pull the splinter out. Find a well-lit area to clearly see where the splinter has entered. Grip the protruding end of the splinter with the tweezers. Once you have a firm hold, pull the splinter out in the same direction it entered the skin.

• A splinter under the skin may consist of multiple pieces of wood, glass, etc., or it may break when you try to remove it. If you cannot get all of the splinter out, you may need to see a doctor to remove any remaining fragments.

Use a needle to handle splinters completely embedded under the nail. In some cases, the splinter is deep under the nail and has no part sticking out of the skin. This type of splinter is difficult to deal with, but you can try using a needle to pry out part of the splinter so you can grab it with tweezers.

• Any small sewing needle can be used. Be sure to disinfect the needle before use.
• Press the needle under the nail, toward the splinter’s tip, and pry the tip of the splinter out.
• If you can pry out part of the splinter, use the tweezers to grip it and pull it out in the direction it entered the skin.

Thoroughly clean the area where the splinter entered. After removing part or all of the splinter, wash the affected skin area with soap and water. Once cleaned, you can apply an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin) to prevent infection.

• You should also cover any bleeding wound or areas prone to infection with a bandage.

Soak the affected area in warm water and baking soda. If you're trying to remove deep or tiny splinters that can't be grabbed with tweezers, a warm water and baking soda soak might help.

• Soak your finger in warm water mixed with a tablespoon of baking soda. You might need to do this twice daily for the best results.
• This method could take a few days to push the splinter to the surface of your skin enough for you to grab with tweezers or for it to fall out naturally.

Use adhesive tape to remove the splinter. Another option to consider is using adhesive tape. It's a simple method: place the tape over the exposed part of the splinter and quickly peel it off.

• You can use any tape, but transparent tape will allow you to see the splinter more clearly.
• You might need to trim your nail to make the splinter more accessible.

Use wax to remove the splinter. Tiny splinters can be challenging to remove with tweezers. One alternative for removing splinters beneath the nail is waxing. The wax's sticky and flexible texture helps it grip the splinter protruding from the skin.

• You may need to trim your nails to get better access to the splinter.
• Apply warm wax around the splinter, making sure to cover the exposed part completely.
• Place a piece of cloth over the wax before it hardens.
• Hold the cloth firmly and pull quickly to remove the splinter.

Try using ‘black ointment’ to remove the splinter. Also known as ‘Ichthammol ointment,’ this product can help extract a splinter beneath the nail. You can buy this ointment at a pharmacy or online. It softens the skin around the splinter, encouraging it to emerge naturally.

• You might need to trim part or all of your nail to access the splinter more easily.
• This method works well for children, as it is less painful and uncomfortable.
• Apply a small amount of the ointment to the splinter site.
• Cover the wound with a bandage for 24 hours. Be aware that the ointment may stain fabric (clothes and bed linens), so cover the treated area to avoid it leaking out.
• After 24 hours, remove the bandage to check the splinter.
• The goal of applying the ointment is to push the splinter out naturally. If the splinter is still not fully out but is easier to access, you can use tweezers to remove it.

Make a paste using baking soda. Making your own baking soda paste is another option to replace black ointment. However, it's best to use this method only if none of the previous methods worked, as the paste can cause swelling and make it harder to remove the splinter.

• You may need to trim part or all of your nail to get better access to the splinter.
• Mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with water to form a paste.
• Apply the paste to the splinter site, then cover or wrap it with a bandage.
• After 24 hours, remove the bandage and check the splinter.
• Chances are, this mixture will be enough to push the splinter to the surface. If it hasn't worked after 24 hours, apply another layer of paste and wait another 24 hours.
• If the splinter has protruded enough to be grabbed with tweezers, you can now remove it.

• There is a condition called 'splinter hemorrhage' that occurs under the nails, which is not caused by a splinter and is unrelated to it. This condition is referred to as 'splinter hemorrhage' because the nail appears to have the shape of a splinter embedded in it. It is often caused by heart valve disease or trauma to the tissue beneath the nail.
• Generally, splinters made from organic materials (like wood or thorns) are likely to cause infection if not removed from the skin. In contrast, splinters made from inorganic materials (like glass or metal) do not cause infections when left under the skin.