How to Draw Out Plant Stickers and Splinters

Ichthammol is the active ingredient in drawing salves, which are used to treat inflammations caused by problems such as ingrown toenails, glass shards, insect poisons as well as plant stickers and splinters. It softens the skin around the sticker or splinter, decreasing the amount of time it would normally take the foreign object to come to the surface. The ointment contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that help reduce the chance of infection. The drawing salve can be found at most pharmacies as an over-the-counter ointment. It's applied externally and takes several hours to work. Once the sticker part or splinter is drawn to the surface, it can be removed with tweezers.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton balls
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Paper towels
• Ichthammol drawing salve or ointment, 20 percent concentrate
• Bandage
• Tweezers
• Magnifying glass
• Soap and water

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Disinfect the skin above the splinter or sticker sliver by soaking a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide and then dabbing and wiping the area clean. Hold a paper towel under the area to catch any dripping peroxide. Pat the area dry with the paper towel.

• 2

  Open the tube of Ichthammol ointment and apply a small dab directly over the splinter or sliver. A dime-sized dab is sufficient in most cases.

• 3

  Cover the area with a bandage so the nonadhesive area of the bandage is directly over the ointment. Allow the bandage to remain for several hours.

• 4

  Remove the bandage and inspect the area. Locate the head of the surfaced splinter or sliver with a magnifying glass, if needed, and pinch it with a pair of tweezers. Pull it out of the skin.

• 5

  Wipe off the salve with a paper towel. Wash the area with soap and water and pat dry with a paper towel.