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©2007 Publications International, Ltd. Most splinters come from wood, though they can also be caused by plastic, metal, or glass.It’s chilly outside, and you're stacking firewood, but you forgot to put on gloves. Suddenly, a sharp sting in your hand – you've gotten a splinter.
A splinter (or sliver) is a puncture wound with foreign material embedded in the skin, such as a wood fragment. While wood splinters are the most common, you can also encounter glass, metal, or plastic slivers.
Unlike a cut, which is a clean slice into the skin, or a scrape, which removes a layer of skin, a puncture wound happens when an object deeply enters the tissue. With a sliver, it’s the foreign object that causes the puncture and stays lodged within. Fortunately, most splinters are minor and can be treated at home. Check out these effective home remedies to help remove them.
Use Tweezers. If part of the splinter is visible, you're in luck. Sterilize a pair of tweezers with alcohol, grip the splinter as close to the skin as possible, and carefully pull it out.
Try a Needle. When a splinter is fully embedded, tweezers won’t help. Sterilize a needle with alcohol, then use the tip to push the splinter from its entry point upward toward the skin’s surface. Start from the very bottom to avoid breaking it into smaller pieces.
Make a Small Cut. If the splinter is deeply lodged, poking with tweezers may only bruise the area. Instead, sterilize a new razor blade and make a shallow incision parallel to the splinter, just above it.
Although the idea of making a small cut might be unsettling, remember that the outermost layer of skin is composed of dead tissue, so a shallow incision is unlikely to cause pain. Once the cut is made, gently part the skin and remove the splinter.
Disinfect the Area. No matter how you remove the splinter, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Since puncture wounds can trap bacteria, ensuring the area is disinfected is crucial. Apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to remove any remaining debris and promote faster healing.
Apply Antibacterial Ointment. If the wound hasn't sealed or if you used the incision method to remove the splinter, apply an over-the-counter antibacterial ointment (such as Neosporin, Polysporin, or a similar product) and cover it with a bandage.
For more details on how to handle splinters, check out the following resources:
- To explore all of our home remedies and the ailments they address, visit our main Home Remedies page.
- If you have a small sliver of wood or metal stuck under your skin, you can't use herbs for removal, but you can reduce your risk of infection. Discover how in Herbal Remedies for Splinters.
- For broader safety advice, check out A Guide to Home Safety.
- These Home Repair Safety Tips will help prevent future mishaps.
David J. Hufford, Ph.D., is a professor and chair of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine. He also holds a position as a professor in the departments of Neural and Behavioral Sciences and Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Hufford serves on the editorial boards of multiple journals, including Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine and Explore. The information provided is purely informational and is NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author, nor the publisher accept responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary change, action, or medication resulting from reading or following this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before pursuing any treatment.
