A splinter is a "foreign body" that somehow gets under the skin. Most people have experienced problems with sharp splinters caused by small pieces of wood, but these splinters can also come from metal, glass, and some types of plastic. In general, you can remove the splinter yourself, but if the splinter is embedded deep in the skin, especially in a difficult place, you may need a doctor's help to remove it. Flakes stuck under your fingers or toes can be painful and difficult to remove, but there are several methods you can consider if you're trying to treat this problem at home.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Removing Flakes with Tweezers
Step 1. Decide if you need a doctor's help
Flakes that are embedded deep under the nail, or become infected, may need to be removed by a doctor. Signs of infection include pain that doesn't go away after a few days, and swelling, or redness in the surrounding area.
- If the splinter is causing serious and excessive bleeding, go to the ER for help removing it.
- If the splinter is embedded under the nail in such a way that you can't reach it yourself, or if the skin around the splinter becomes infected, make an appointment to see a doctor. The doctor can remove the splinter and give you antibiotics.
- In some cases, the doctor will administer a local anesthetic to numb the sensation of the infected area while removing the splinters and reduce pain during the process.
- Be aware that your doctor may have to remove part or all of the nail to remove all the splinters.
Step 2. Remove the debris yourself
If you want to remove the splinters yourself at home, you'll need tweezers as the splinters may be too small to remove by hand. If the splinter is deep under the nail and nothing is sticking out above the skin, you may need to use a needle to remove it.
- Sterilize the equipment that will be used to remove debris. You can sterilize tweezers and needles using rubbing alcohol or boiling water.
- Wash your hands before handling sterilized equipment.
- Wash the area and nail where the splinter has become before trying to remove it to prevent infection. If you have trouble washing it off with soap and water, use rubbing alcohol.
- If you have long nails, it's best to trim them short before trying to get the splinters out from under your nails. This step allows you to better see the location of the splinter.
Step 3. Use tweezers to remove the debris
Find a well-lit place to get a good view of the entire location of the debris. Use tweezers to pinch the ends of the splinter sticking out. After clamping firmly, pull the splinter out of the skin in the direction it entered.
There may be more than one piece of wood, glass, and so on under the nail. Or, there's a chance that the splinter will break apart when you try to remove it from the skin. If you can't get the whole splinter out on your own, you may need to ask your doctor for help to remove the remaining fragment
Step 4. Reach all of the splinter embedded in the skin with the help of a needle
Some of the splinter under the nail may be so deep that nothing sticks out of the skin. This type of splinter can be difficult to remove, but you can try using a needle to partially open the splinter so you can pinch it with tweezers.
- A small sewing needle may be used to perform this procedure. Make sure you sterilize it first.
- Push the needle under the nail, toward the tip of the splinter, and use it to pry the tip.
- If you can pick up the end of the splinter long enough, pinch it with tweezers and pull it out in the direction it entered.
Step 5. Wash the entire area thoroughly
After successfully removing some or all of the debris, rinse the area thoroughly with soap and water. After washing, you can apply an antibiotic ointment (eg, Polysporin) to help prevent infection.
You may need to cover the area with a bandage if bleeding occurs, or if the site is prone to infection in the future
Method 2 of 2: Using Other Expenditure Methods
Step 1. Soak the problem nail in warm water mixed with baking soda
Flakes that are stuck too deep under the nail, or too small to be able to be grasped with tweezers, may need to be fished out using warm water and baking soda.
- Soak your fingers in warm water mixed with a tablespoon of baking soda. You may need to do it twice a day for effective results.
- You may have to do this procedure for several days until the splinter is finally close enough to the skin to be removed with tweezers, or it will come off on its own.
Step 2. Use masking tape to remove debris
Another option for removing debris that is worth considering is using tape. This method is quite simple. Simply apply the tape to the part of the splinter sticking out and remove the tape in one quick motion.
- The type of tape used doesn't matter, but clear tape will allow you to see the debris better if needed.
- You may need to trim your nails to better reach the splinters.
Step 3. Use depilatory wax
Very fine flakes may be difficult to clamp with tweezers. Another option for removing splinter under the nail like this is to use a hair removal wax. The wax is thick and sticky so it's easy to form around the part of the flake sticking out.
- You may need to trim the problem nail short so it can reach the splinter better.
- Apply the heated wax to the area around the splinter. Make sure the part of the splinter sticking out is covered in wax.
- Place a piece of cloth over the wax before the wax dries.
- Hold the end of the cloth firmly and pull it quickly until it comes off.
Step 4. Try “black drawing salve” to remove the debris
It is also known as "ichthammol ointment" (black ointment), and can be used to help remove debris from under the nail. You can buy this ointment at a drug store (or online). The ointment works by softening the skin around the splinter, and then helping to naturally remove the splinter.
- You may need to trim some or all of the problem nail so you can reach the splinters better.
- This method is also suitable for children because it usually causes little pain and discomfort.
- Apply a small amount of the ointment to the area where the splinter is.
- Cover the problem area with a bandage and leave it for 24 hours. Black ointment can leave stains on fabrics (clothes and sheets). So, make sure that the bandage covering the problem area is properly applied so that the ointment leaks out.
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours and check for debris.
- Black ointment is used to naturally remove the flakes. Even if the splinter doesn't come out the way it should after 24 hours, it will at least be easier to reach so you can use tweezers to remove it.
Step 5. Make a baking soda paste
If you don't want to use black salve, making your own baking soda paste can be an alternative. This method is best used if other methods don't work because the paste can cause swelling, which will make the splinter more difficult to remove.
- You may have to trim some or all of the problem nail to get to the area where the splinter is.
- Mix teaspoon of baking soda with water until it forms a thick paste.
- Apply the paste to the area where the splinter is, then cover it with a bandage.
- After 24 hours, remove the bandage and inspect the splinter.
- Baking soda paste may be effective enough to remove flakes naturally. If 24 hours is not enough, you can apply the paste again and wait for the next 24 hours.
- If the splinter is open enough, you can then use tweezers to remove it.
Tips
- There is a condition known as “splinter hemorrhage” that can occur under the fingernails and toenails. This condition is not caused by, related to, actual splinters. This condition is called a splinter hemorrhage because the blood clot visible behind the nail looks like a splinter.
- In general, splinters of organic origin (such as wood, thorns, etc.) are susceptible to infection if they are not removed from the skin. However, debris from inorganic materials (such as glass or metal) does not cause infection if left under the skin.
