To get a deep splinter out safely, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands and the affected area thoroughly with soap and water to prevent infection.
- Sterilize a small needle and a pair of tweezers using rubbing alcohol.
- Use a magnifying glass to locate the splinter and gently pierce the skin above the splinter's closest end with the needle to expose it.
- Carefully lift or push out part of the splinter with the needle.
- Once one end of the splinter is exposed, use the sterilized tweezers to gently pull it out in the same direction it entered the skin. Avoid squeezing or breaking the splinter.
- Clean the area again with soap and water, then apply petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage.
- If the splinter is very large, deeply embedded, near the eye, or shows signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus), seek medical assistance promptly.
Additional methods to help bring a deep splinter to the surface before removal include soaking the area in warm water with Epsom salts or applying a baking soda paste and covering it for about 24 hours, which can help draw the splinter closer to the skin surface for easier removal.
