Splinters Treatment

In this article

• 1. Clean Wound
• 2. Care for a Tiny Splinter
• 3. Remove Larger Splinter
• 4. When to Call a Health Care Provider
• 5. Follow Up

1. Clean Wound

• Clean the area with mild soap and water.

2. Care for a Tiny Splinter

• If it doesn't hurt, let the splinter work its way out over a few days.

• If it does hurt, touch the area gently with sticky tape and pull away carefully. If this doesn't work, try hair removal wax.

3. Remove Larger Splinter

• Clean a small needle and tweezers with alcohol.

• If you can see the end of the splinter, grip it with the tweezers and gently pull out the entire splinter.

• If none of the splinter is sticking out, follow the path of the splinter with the needle. Open the skin and expose enough of the splinter to remove it with tweezers.

• If you have trouble seeing the splinter, use stronger lighting and a magnifying glass.

• Clean wound area again. Apply a bandage and antibiotic ointment.

4. When to Call a Health Care Provider

• You can't remove the entire splinter.

• The splinter is deep in the skin or the wound is bleeding heavily.

• The splinter is under a fingernail or toenail. The health care provider may need to cut a notch in the nail to remove the splinter.

5. Follow Up

• Ask the health care provider if a tetanus booster is needed.

• Watch for any signs of infection: redness, increasing pain, swelling, or pus at the site. Call a health care provider if you see any of these signs.