Sign up to our newsletter

Handy: how to remove a splinter on your own


This is how to get rid of it!

Even though splinters are often very small, they can end up causing you quite a lot of pain. Once the splinter has penetrated your skin, you want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, because of its small size, this often turns out to be pretty difficult. Sometimes you’re able to remove it on your own, but there are also moments when you’re in need of someone else’s help. Thanks to following tricks you’ll be able to easily remove splinters by yourself.

  • Tweezers: this is one of the easiest solutions, and most of us will have used a pair of tweezers to remove the splinters before. But before doing so, always clean your skin with soap and lukewarm water to prevent infections. Also make sure you clean the tweezers with some alcohol. Carefully pull the splinter out of your skin, following the same direction it entered your body. If you don’t do it like this, you’ll break the splinter into two pieces.
  • Tape: make sure the skin around the splinter is completely dry and cut off a small piece of tape (such as duct tape). Stick the tape onto the skin and press it gently, making sure that you do not push the splinter further into your skin. Then carefully remove the tape from your skin, pulling the splinter out as you do so.
  • Glue: you can also remove a splinter by adding some glue. You can use white craft glue or school glue to do this (Please note: never use cyanoacrylate/super glue). Let the glue dry for about thirty seconds before gently removing it.
  • Baking soda: put a few tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl and stir it while adding a few drops of water. Keep doing this until it becomes pasty. Put the paste on your skin, but make sure you’re not pushing the splinter further into the skin. Cover the paste with a patch and remove it after a few hours. Is the splinter still there? If so, repeat these steps.

Always consult a doctor when the splinter causes a lot of pain.

Want to save this article for later? Pin it on Pinterest!