How to Get a Cactus Thorn Out of My Hand

If you've ever tried to pluck a fruit or flower from a cactus, you probably retracted your hand to find one or more thorns painfully embedded in your skin. Cacti, which are native to South and North America, thrive in arid climates. One of the cactus family's primary defenses is its spines, which come in various sizes depending on the particular species. Cactus thorns that become embedded in the skin usually cause pain and discomfort. Left untreated, they can lead to infections. It is important to use the proper technique to remove cactus thorns so that you don't cause them to break off and burrow deeper into the skin.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Tweezers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Glue
• Gauze

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Instructions

Tweezer Method

• 1

  Sterilize a pair of tweezers by boiling them in water for 10 minutes.

• 2

  Remove the pot from the heat source and allow the water to cool.

• 3

  Retrieve the tweezers from the water and use them to firmly grasp the cactus thorn.

• 4

  Remove the thorn from the skin by enacting a steady, continuous pulling motion.

• 5

  Swab the area with rubbing alcohol.

Glue Method

• 6

  Cover the thorn and the surrounding skin within about a half-inch radius with a thin layer of household glue.

• 7

  Place a piece of sterile gauze on top of the glue.

• 8

  Allow the glue to dry for approximately 30 minutes.

• 9

  Peel off the gauze, which will also peel off the glue and remove the thorn.