How to Get Rid of a Thorn Stuck in Your Skin

Many believe that the beauty of roses is sullied by their thorns, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If it weren’t for thorns, the sweet smell of roses would be their making and their demise. Roses have thorns to keep animals from consuming them while still allowing access to bees. This is little comfort when you grasp a rose and discover the prickly thorn protruding from your skin. Remove the thorn from your skin properly to prevent further damage.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Rubbing alcohol
• Paper towel
• Sewing pin
• Tweezers
• Antibacterial soap
• Clean towel
• Bandage (optional)

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water.

• 2

  Sterilize the equipment necessary, including a sewing pin and angled tweezers, with rubbing alcohol. Set the sterile equipment onto a paper towel and do not touch it again until it is needed.

• 3

  Grasp the end of the thorn with the angled tweezers; do so under a bright light. Do not attempt to jab at the thorn with the tweezers as this may puncture the skin further.

• 4

  Pull the thorn from the skin at the same angle it entered. If the thorn is partially under the skin and is not completely removed, move onto the next step.

• 5

  Pull away the skin over the splinter with the sterilized needle. Once the skin is lifted away, grasp the thorn with the tweezers and pull it out.

• 6

  Wash the affected area with antibacterial soap and water. Gently pat it dry with a clean towel and cover it with a thin layer of antibacterial ointment.

• 7

  Cover the site with a plastic bandage. According to Medline Plus, bandaging the wound is only necessary if it is in danger of becoming dirty. Otherwise, leave the wound exposed to expedite the healing process.