Painless Splinter Removal

Many people have memories of Mom coming at them with a hot needle and a pair of tweezers to remove a splinter. While this has been the method of choice for years, some children do not cooperate or even become fearful at the site of a needle and tweezers. There are alternatives to this tried and true method that do not offer fear as well as splinter removal.

What is a Splinter?
A splinter can be wood, metal, glass or even a thorn off the rose bush that has embedded itself under the top layers of skin. Splinters are painful due to the fact that the nerve endings are located in the same proximity of where a splinter usually is found. This reason also concludes why splinter removal is also painful.

Techniques for Removing a Splinter
There are several techniques for splinter removal, most of which offer little or no pain. In addition, there are several "tricks" that can help minimize the amount of pain felt when removing a splinter even further.

The first thing that should be done when attempting to remove a splinter is to numb the area. There are several ways to numb the area where the splinter is located to minimize the amount of pain. Using ice, rubbing alcohol or teething gel over the area will numb it enough to allow easy and painless access to remove the splinter. The best way to test for numbness is performing the "numb test." Have the child look away while touching the area where the splinter is lodged and ask "Does that hurt?" If the answer is "No," then press a little harder and ask again. Touch around the area and again ask if pain is present. If the child denies any pain, you are ready to begin the process of removing the splinter.

The first technique is very simple and should be the first technique tried for splinter removal. If the splinter is visible at the surface, try to "milk" it out. Using a small amount of pressure below the splinter, gently push or slide the splinter up using the index finger. Once enough of the splinter is out, grab it gently with a pair of tweezers and slowly glide it the rest of the way out. If the splinter is larger, or further in the skin, "milking" may need to be done several times to expose enough of the splinter to be removed using the tweezers.

The second technique for removing a splinter should be used if the splinter is not lodged too deeply in the skin. After numbing the area, as well as drying the area, use a heavy tape, such as duct or masking tape, to cover the area where the splinter is located, pressing lightly to ensure it sticks to the tape. Quickly remove the tape in the opposite direction in which the splinter went in and the splinter should come out, in tact, stuck to the tape. One variation of the tape method is applying a small amount of wood glue (never use "super" glue for splinter removal) over the area where the splinter is located and allowing it to dry. Once dry, the glue can be peeled off, splinter and all.

The third technique for splinter removal can be used if the splinter is lodged slightly deeper, but has not caused the area to bleed. You will first want to numb the area and perform the "numb test." Using a piece of folded white gauze, rub across the area in the opposite direction of which the splinter went in. Be sure to use a quick and deliberate motion in rubbing across the skin. If the splinter is not lodged too deeply, the gauze will "catch" the splinter and pull it out in tact.

The fourth technique for removing a splinter is the one most kids dread, the needle and tweezers. However, if the child is old enough to do this technique him/herself, allow them to try it, with adult supervision of course. Some children do not have a fear of poking their own skin, but will run in terror at the thought of a parent doing the same. Begin by sterilizing the needle and tweezers with rubbing alcohol and allowing them to dry. Next, make a small hole at the top edge of where the splinter is located. At this point, you can again try "milking" the splinter out. If the splinter remains, use the needle tothe skin above the splinter, small sections at a time. Once the splinter is exposed, attempt to grab the splinter using the tweezers or by placing the needle under one edge and pushing it up enough to be removed. As this procedure is a little more invasive then the others, be sure to keep the tools used clean as to not cause an infection.

After the splinter has been removed, regardless of the technique used, apply an antibiotic cream or ointment to the area and cover with a bandage. This will aid in preventing infection of the area, which may cause further pain.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Place a drop of iodine over the area where the splinter is located. The iodine will stain the splinter and allow for ease is seeing it during removal.
  
• With a fearful child, especially one that is a heavy sleeper, parents can wait until they fall asleep at night to do these techniques. The child will believe their splinter was taken out by magic.
  
• When getting to the step where the splinter is to actually be removed, offer the child a distraction, such as a snack, talking on the phone to grandma, or watching his/her favorite television program. It will keep the attention away from the splinter.
  
• Splinter removal can be easier if the skin is softened by soaking the hand in warm water or allowing the child to take a bath.
  
• Using a magnifying glass to aid in viewing the splinter may help to ease the removal process.

Signs of Infection
Medical attention should be sought immediately if any of the following are present within 48 hours of splinter removal:

• Excessive redness in the area where splinter was removed or the surrounding area,
  
• Pus or bleeding continues to seep from area where splinter was removed,
  
• Tenderness of the area with touch or movement,
  
• Area feels warm or hot to the touch.

When to Call a Doctor or Medical Professional
Never attempt to remove a splinter for longer then ten minutes. Doing so could cause tissue damage to the area. Dr. Charles Duncan of Richmond, Virginia says, "If after ten minutes the splinter cannot be removed, a medical professional should be contacted immediately. Also, if a splinter has lodged too deep for a needle or tweezers to be affective, do not attempt to remove the splinter. Instead, allow a medical professional to do the removal as well as any follow up precautions." In addition, if any of the signs and symptoms of infection become apparent within 48 hours of removing the splinter, a medical professional should be contacted immediately. If a child is not current on their tetanus vaccine, a parent will want to ensure they are current after splinter removal, especially if the splinter was fairly deeply lodged.

Splinter removal does not have to be a painful, frightening experience. Using the right techniques and possibly a few creative distractions, parents can removal a splinter without shedding blood, sweat or tears.