Splinters - To remove or not to remove

[halohg]

Do you remove splinters? Having a conflict with my co-nurse partner over this. She will place band-aid over the splinter and tell them to have Mom take it out at home. I would be more likely to remove if could be done easily or if the child is Middle School or older would allow them to use the tweezer and try themselves to take out after a good washing.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I take it out. I've used Splinter Out if I have them in stock, but usually I use a lancet from my diabetic supply stash. If I see it is impossible to get out easily (like those suckers that can get stuck under the nail), I will soak in warm warm, wrap it, and call home as an FYI.

But 99% of splinters I've seen I can get out it less than 3 minutes. I deal with the older kids, though.

[And no, adults don't stop getting splinters. I've removed a few from staff as well .]

[100kids, BSN, RN]

I work with PK-6 and if the child is willing and it's fairly easy to get out I will remove it. The tiniest of splinters can be the biggest distraction in class so I use splinter out as well and usually have no problems.

[BeckyESRN]

I've seen these, but thought they were for "digging" the splinter out...how do they work if you're not digging?

You basically slide the splinter out along side the splinter and lift it right out. Some splinters this does not work for, I make one attempt, maybe 2 on a persistent big kid, and if it doesn't come out then I Abx and bandaid it

[Supernrse01, BSN]

If it looks to be an easy removal, I will. If I can't get it, or it looks like removal will require minor surgery then I cover with a bandaid and send them on their merry way!

[Cattz, ADN]

I won't dig it out. But if it is sticking out enough with tweezers to get it,then ok. I use lancets at home, but don't use at school. Covering with a bandaid and having them tell someone at home is usually what I do. Most of the splinters come from home anyway.

[Kittery]

Does anyone put Vaseline on them to encourage them to come out? I've heard this and sometimes do it but maybe it's just an old wives' tale.

[Cattz, ADN]

Hmmm. Good question. I haven't heard of that. But, one of my Secretaries swears by Prid ointment. She uses it at home not school. But, she said it is a "drawing" salve.

[Farawyn]

Do people stop getting splinters as adults? I bet I haven't had one in at least 15 years.

I take it out. I've used Splinter Out if I have them in stock, but usually I use a lancet from my diabetic supply stash. If I see it is impossible to get out easily (like those suckers that can get stuck under the nail), I will soak in warm warm, wrap it, and call home as an FYI.

But 99% of splinters I've seen I can get out it less than 3 minutes. I deal with the older kids, though.

[And no, adults don't stop getting splinters. I've removed a few from staff as well .]

I do, too.

The one time I got "assaulted" at work was removing a teeny tiny splinter from the AP's secretary.

She was screaming so loudly that it prompted the Social Worker who shares my office to ask, "Was it a boy or a girl?"

Yes. The fun never ends here. Ever.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i read something about putting duct tape and pulling the opposite direction - but i never seem to have duct tape on hand

[BeckyESRN]

I used duct tape to remove tarantula hairs from my hand once, I would not recommend it! The duct tape nor the tarantula hairs! Ultimately, I had to use Nair wax to get all of the hairs out- for those of you who are not familiar; tarantulas urticate hairs from their abd. when they feel threatened and onto their web to protect from predators. These itty bitty hairs are barbed and cause an awful amount of itching. I worked at a pet store in HS and college, fun times...

[coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN]

I also won't dig (i.e. cut more into the skin) if I can't get it with the splinter out. I am the splinter queen and I've only met 2 splinters I couldn't get. For those I make a baking soda paste with water and apply it over the opening and wrap a bandage around. Usually, that will help it come out within 24 hours per the kids.

[ohiobobcat]

I take splinters out, but I don't dig deep for them. Funny thing, as I was reading this thread, a kid came in and asked me to take out a splinter. I use the "Splinter Out" as well, along with dorky magnifying goggles, because I cannot see small, up close things very well. This particular splinter practically jumped out at me. My kiddos are all HS age, so most of them are pretty calm during the procedure. If it was really freaking someone out, I wouldn't do it.