Splinter removal

wanderlustnurse88, RN · Jun 8, 2015

I will sometimes put poly sporting and cover with a bandaid and in a few hours try again. It makes the skin a bit softer.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2015

I used to bring my no-hands, hang-around-the-neck magnifying glass that I use for embroidery, and my own microtip forceps (at craft stores for minimodel builders). You can see better.

BonnieSc · Jun 9, 2015

I confess, I love removing splinters and am now almost always successful. I learned the technique from a young counselor in my first year as camp nurse. Obviously, if the splinter/sliver is sticking out and easy to grab with tweezers, go for it. But if not, and usually it's "not": First step, soak the area if possible (makes the splinter swell so it's easier to see and grab; also softens the skin. Can use salt water if desired). Next, numb the area with a piece of ice. Then take a needle or safety pin, well disinfected, to remove the very top layer of the skin over the splinter... nothing to harm or cause bleeding is necessary! Usually once this layer is gone, the splinter is easy to either grab or flick out with the needle. Reapply the ice as needed if the kid starts to get squirmy. Sometimes the splinter comes out in multiple tiny bits. Neosporin, bandaid, you're done! I used to ascribe to the theory that removing the splinter causes more trauma than leaving it in, but after seeing how easy (and harmless) this technique is, and knowing how painful splinters can be especially if there is inflammation/infection, I always remove them.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Jun 9, 2015

I confess that I HATE splinter removal. 90% of splinters I see are so small as to not be exciting. If I think I can get it, I go for it. If it's small or going to require minor surgery and isn't causing distress I usually bust out my splinter speech. "No one has died from a splinter in all the years I have been here. It doesn't seem to be bugging you too much. Now I'm more than happy to pick at you with a needle and tweezer, and probably not get it out anyhow. Alternatively we can put some coal tar and a bandaid on it, and I bet you it will be gone in 2-3 days"

either way I tell them to come back if it gets red and painful, but between all the time in the lake or the pool most splinters will float out on their own.