How to Get Deep Splinters Out of Your Hand

Splinters occur when a foreign object, commonly a piece of wood, becomes lodged under the skin's surface. Though deep splinters can be painful, they don't typically constitute a medical emergency. Over time, your body will naturally reject the splinter and force it out. But if you'd rather not withstand the discomfort, there are a few steps you can take at home to get a deep splinter out of your hand.

Things You'll Need

  • Soap
  • Water
  • Small sewing needle
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton swab
  • Tweezers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Submerge the area where the deep splinter rests in a mixture of warm water plus a tablespoon of baking soda. If you do this twice per day, the splinter should begin to move closer to the surface of your skin.

    • 2

      Wash your hands as well as the part of the body where the splinter is. Use warm soap and water to make sure the area is free of germs and bacteria.

    • 3

      Prep a small sewing needle by dipping it into rubbing alcohol. This step is extremely important since it sterilizes the needle, keeping it from causing infection. You also need to prep the skin by dabbing an antiseptic (rubbing alcohol works fine) on the area using a cotton swab.

    • 4

      Use the sterile needle to pick apart the skin until the deep splinter becomes exposed above the skin's surface. Continue doing this until it emerges enough to be pulled out.

    • 5

      Take a pair of tweezers and remove the splinter. If any fragments of the splinter remain deep in the skin, sterilize another sewing needle and begin again.

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