How to get rid of a splinter: useful tips

A common problem for outdoor enthusiasts and summer residents is the defeat of the feet or pillows of the fingers as a splinter. Having penetrated the skin, a foreign object gives a lot of inconvenience, due to constant pain, a person sometimes can not step on his leg, experiencing discomfort.

To remove a splinter from the foot or cones of fingers it is necessary, first of all, to understand the nature of the tumor. It happens that a small part of the knot is stuck in the skin, and the tip remains sticking out or breaks off altogether. Consider all the solutions to the problem

Splinter removal (free edge not visible)

The edge has broken off relatively recently (the splinter did not stick deeply)

1. If the outer tip broke off a few minutes ago, as a result of which he did not have time to stick deep under the skin, proceed as follows. Take the sewing needle, press the finger of the other hand on the area located to the right or left of the splinter. You will see how the free end starts to pop out, at this time try to hold it in a similar position and pull it out with tweezers.
2. Before the procedure, sterilize the needle, tweezers and hands without fail to avoid infection. For such purposes, medical (ethyl) alcohol, a solution of peroxide (concentration of 3-6%), Chlorhexidine, hand antiseptics or vodka are suitable.

The edge broke off for a long time (the splinter stuck deep)

1. If you did not have time to lift the splinter in time, and it went deep into the layers of the skin, change the technique. First of all, it is worth softening the epidermis so that the tumor can easily come out. To do this, suitable products and tools such as salt, soda, pulp of brown bread, banana peel, tar, soap, aloe vera or kerosene.
2. To steam the skin, prepare a hot bath with crushed salt. Wait until the skin coagulates (about 25-30 minutes). Add hot water periodically to achieve a faster result.
3. After that, disinfect the wound, press the fingers of the other hand deep into the splinter, observing an acute angle. As soon as the tip begins to appear, linger at the end point, pick it up with a needle and pull it out with manicure tweezers.
4. Also, tar in combination with kerosene will help soften the skin. Apply the composition to the skin, wait a few hours, then squeeze your finger with your second hand and wait until the splinter comes out. Pick it up with tweezers, carefully remove it.
5. Regarding the use of soda, dilute a small amount of the composition with water so that a pasty mixture is obtained. Make a compress by putting the mass on your finger and securing it with a bandage.
6. Spend about 5-7 hours with a bandage, then gently push deep into the finger with your opposite hand and pick up a splinter with tweezers. As in the previous case, sterilize the instruments before starting the procedure.

Splinter removal (clear edge clearly visible)

1. An ideal option is removing the splinter, the outer end of which is clearly visible over the skin. This is especially true for the pads of the finger or foot.
2. To properly carry out the procedure, wash your hands with soap, treat your skin and instruments with an antiseptic solution (vodka, hydrogen peroxide or Chlorhexidine, medical alcohol, etc.).
3. After that, prepare the available tools, sterilize them in the same way. Put a paper towel next to it, put a bandage, cotton wool, needle and tweezers on it, peroxide.At this stage, it is recommended to abandon the use of brilliant green or iodine, as they will stain the surface of the skin, as a result of which the wound will be subtle.
4. Perform the procedure in daylight or high-intensity lamps, so as not to accidentally break off the end of the splinter. It is important to determine at what angle a part of the knot stuck into the skin.
5. Take the needle, press on the finger with your next hand, wait until the moment when the drift begins to crawl out. Pry it with a needle, then pinch the edge with tweezers and carefully remove the object. Observe the angle at which the splinter stuck into the skin so as not to break off the edge.
6. After removing the splinter, disinfect the wound, soak cotton wool in vodka, peroxide or alcohol, attach to your finger and fix with adhesive tape. Remove it after 2-3 hours after the procedure.

What to do if you can’t remove the splinter right away

1. There are frequent cases when there is no possibility of removing the splinter immediately after it enters the skin. The situation is especially relevant if you drove an object in a campaign or in a country house, where there are no improvised means and antiseptic drugs. To protect yourself, treat the wound with any solution containing alcohol.
2. Try not to push the splinter deep into the skin cavity, get to the halt and try to extract part of the knot using one of the above methods. If possible, expand the epidermis in advance so that the procedure is more efficient. Never attempt to pull the splinter out with your teeth or dirty hands.

What to do if pain occurs after removing the splinter

1. Successfully removed the splinter, applied a sterile compress / adhesive plaster, and the wound continues to hurt? Did swelling and inflammation appear at the site of the procedure?
2. It is possible that during the extraction of the splinter, an infection got into the wound cavity, which is the cause of the pain. The inflammatory process can be prevented by preparing a solution of soda and salt.
3. Mix bulk products in equal amounts (35 g each), add 275 ml to them. warm (almost hot) water, stir until the granules are completely dissolved. After that, lower your finger or foot into the composition, wait a quarter of an hour.
4. After the time has passed, treat the skin with hydrogen peroxide, repeat simple manipulations every 2 hours. If the result is negative, consult your doctor so that he selects the appropriate treatment.

What should not be done

1. Do not attempt to remove the splinter by making a preliminary cut with a blade. You will increase the area of ​​the wound, as a result of which the neoplasm will penetrate even deeper under the skin, it will be almost impossible to get it out of there.
2. Do not pick the wound with a sewing needle, act carefully. Do not try to break off the tip of the splinter, pull it out at the original angle.
3. Do not soften the skin with creams and moisturizing lotions, such products block the flow of air into the wound cavity, causing an inflammatory process.
4. If the tip of the splinter is visible at 1-1.5 mm., Attach a band-aid to it, then sharply pull your hand. The method is not very effective, but worth a try.

Removal of a splinter can be compared with a simple surgical operation, which requires patience, focus and attention to detail. No matter how unpleasant the sensations may be, it is necessary to remove a foreign object. Otherwise, you risk getting tissue inflammation. Do not forget to sterilize your skin and instruments, apply a soda compress after the procedure.

Video: how to remove a splinter