Splinters are small fragment of glass, metal, or wood that at times gets embedded in our skin. Splinters can be extremely painful and they should be dealt with very quickly because this can relieve the discomfort and it will prevent an infection, which is characterized by swelling and redness in the affected area. There are many people who try digging under their skin with tweezers or needles to remove the splinter. But you should know that this is not a safe method because it can be painful and increase the risk of infection. There are many simple home remedies that can make it easier for you to rid of the splinters and prevent any complications. You can easily get splinters but their removal could be more difficult. Some splinters are glass, metal, and wood which can embed in your skin and need to be removed from your skin.
12 Home remedies to remove splinters safely
Contents
Banana peel
You can use the peel of a ripe banana to remove the splinter painlessly. Banana peel has enzymes that can help to soften the skin and they will make the splinter move up to the surface. Also, it has antimicrobial and moisturizing properties which can help to prevent any further infection [1]. You should cut a small piece of banana peel. You should place the peel with the white side down on the affected area and then secure it in place with tape. You should let it stay there throughout the night. The next morning, you should remove the splinter with a pair of tweezers.
Epsom salt
The Epsom salt poultice is also a very effective home remedy for splinter removal, especially when splinters are deeply lodged. This natural cure can draw the water out of the skin cells; it will bring the splinter to the surface, which can make it easy for you to pull out without any pain. You should put a pinch of Epsom salt on a bandage. You should apply the bandage over the affected area. You should let it stay there for the entire day. You should remove the bandage in the evening. You will notice that the splinter is drawn out. Then, you should just pull it out using tweezers. You should repeat again this process if needed.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the best home remedies for removing splinters and you can find them in your kitchen. You should crack an egg and then you should get the eggshell. You should put the eggshell onto your splinter and in the meanwhile, you should allow the moisture inside to face the splinter. This home remedy can help to get the splinters out of your skin.
Hydrogen peroxide
This is also a very effective home remedy that can help you to rid of the splinters in your feet or hands. It can help to disinfect the area and to reduce the inflammation so that the splinter is easily visible and pulled out [2]. You should soak a cotton ball in 3% hydrogen peroxide. You should place the cotton ball on the affected area. Secure it in the place with tape. Let it stay there for a couple of hours. You should remove the cotton ball and carefully pull out the splinter with a pair of clean tweezers. Finally, you should rinse the area using lukewarm water. You should repeat this process again if the splinter is still deeply lodged and it has not risen to the surface.
Tweezing
If you can see the splinter, then you should use alcohol to sterilize the tips of a pair of tweezers. You should keep the splinter between the tips of tweezers and you should gently pull it to slide the splinter out. This is one of the best home remedies for removing splinters which you can easily use at your home.
Baking soda
This is a very effective home remedy for tiny splinters that are hard to see as well as those who are deeply embedded in the skin. It can reduce the discomfort and it will help to push the splinter to the surface, so you can pull it out using tweezers. You should mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in enough water to form a thick paste. You should spread the baking soda onto a bandage and then you should apply the bandage over the affected area. After 24 hours, you should remove the bandage. If the splinter is visible, then you should pull it out using tweezers. If the splinter is not visible, then you should repeat the method using fresh baking soda paste and another bandage. After you have removed the splinter, you should rinse the skin gently using lukewarm water.
White vinegar
This is one of the most effective home remedies which you can use to remove the splinter. White vinegar has acidic nature that will cause the splinter to break through the surface of the skin. This will make it easy for you to pull the splinter out with tweezers. You should pour some white vinegar into a small bowl. You should soak the affected area in it for fifteen to twenty minutes. You should check if the splinter has risen out the skin’s surface. If so, you should pull it out using tweezers. If you have that it has not raised the skin’s surface, then you should continue soaking it until it rises to the surface. After you have removed the splinter, you should rinse your skin thoroughly using lukewarm water.
Duct tape
This is one of the easiest methods which can help you to remove the splinter. This home remedy works best when the part of the splinter is still sticking out of the skin. This home remedy does not work for fully embedded splinters. You should use lukewarm water and soap to wash the skin around the splinter and let it dry. You should put a piece of duct tape over it. You should gently rub over the top of the tape using your fingertip. You should wait for five minutes and then pull off the tape in just one smooth motion. You will see that the splinter will come out with duct tape. Finish this home treatment by cleaning the affected area using lukewarm water. Also, you can use glue to help to remove the splinter. You should apply a thick layer of glue (you should not use instant glue, though), on the affected area and let it stay there for at least thirty minutes or until it dries completely and then you should peel off the glue. You will notice that the splinter will stick to it and it will come off easily and without any pain.
Lavender essential oil
This essential oil can help to draw out a splinter. It has antimicrobial properties which can help to prevent the infection and they will aid in the quick recovery of your skin [3]. You should apply a few drops of lavender essential oil to the affected area. You should let it stay there for a couple of hours. From time to time, you should check if the splinter has risen to your skin’s surface. Once you have noticed that the splinter has moved up, you should pull it out easily using a pair of tweezers.
Raw potato
This is also a very effective home remedy that you can use for splinter removal. This home remedy works best when the splinter is partially visible and is not lodged deep inside your skin. You should wash a raw potato thoroughly and cut off a thick slice. You should place the potato slice on the splinter and you should be sure that the fleshy part touches the splinter. You should gently press the potato slice down so that the splinter pierces the potato. You should carefully remove the potato slice along with the splinter.
Bread and milk
Bread and milk is also very effective home remedy for splinters. This home remedy has been used for centuries to help the splinter slip out of the skin. You should dip a piece of bread in some warm milk. You should apply this poultice to the area with the splinter and you should secure it using a bandage. Let it stay there through the night. When you wake up in the morning, you should remove the poultice. You will notice that the splinter will come out with it. You should finish by cleaning the affected area using lukewarm water to prevent an infection.
Honey
This natural cure can help to dislodge the splinter and it will encourage the splinter to move toward the surface for easy plucking. It has antiseptic and moisturizing properties and it will soothe your skin and it will prevent any infection. You should spread a generous amount of honey directly on the affected area. You should put a bandage over the affected area and let it stay there through the night. When you wake up, you should pull the splinter out easily using a pair of tweezers. After you have rinsed the area with lukewarm water, you should reapply some honey to help the skin to heal. [4,5]
References:
[1] Ehiowemwenguan G, Emoghene AO, Inetianbor JE. Antibacterial and phytochemical analysis of Banana fruit peel. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy. 2014;4(8):18-25.
[2] Banerjee S, Zmijewski JW, Lorne E, et al. Modulation of SCFβ-TrCP dependent IκBα ubiquitination by hydrogen peroxide. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. 2009.
[3] Cavanagh HM, Wilkinson JM. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research. 2002;16(4):301-8.
[4] Mandal MD, Mandal S. Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2011;1(2):154-160.
[5] Ahmed S, Sulaiman SA, Baig AA, et al. Honey as a potential natural antioxidant medicine: An insight into its molecular mechanisms of action. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2018;2018:8367846.
