How to Remove Wood Splinter

I have a wood splinter deep in the hand between the thumb and the index finger.It is deep and I cant see it, swelling has starting and I need to know how to remove it?
(30 Jul 2009)

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The problem of splinters or slivers is one we are all too familiar with. Whether you live in the cols of Alaska and are hauling out firewood in the winters, or are simply building a tree house or repairing a fence down in Texas, handling unpolished wood is likely to cause a sliver or two as some splinters are bound to lacerate and maybe get embedded in the skin. Slivers are basically small punctures in the skin, filled with debris, most often wood or thorns.

Slivers are not a serious problem and the only threat they pose is that of the site getting infected. The possibility of this happening is however not very high as the debris can in most cases be removed very easily at home and the puncture site disinfected.

A sliver is quite painful and annoying but can easily be removed:

As you were quite obviously handling wood the first thing you would need to do would be to wash the area and surrounding thoroughly, using warm soapy water.

This helps disinfect the site and also get rid of any debris like sawdust that may have accumulated on your skin.

Most splinters if removed promptly can just be pulled out with tweezers or with the help of glue or tape. Removing an embedded splinter can however be a bit more challenging, but it is not as difficult as you may think it to be. All you need is a needle and a pair of tweezers, both of which should be sterilized.

Place the needle on your skin, lengthwise and just below the end of the splinter that is deepest in.

Apply a steady pressure on the needle and simultaneously run it upwards very slowly. The pressure beneath the sliver and the upward motion should steadily coax the sliver out. This may take several tries, but do not go impatient.

Once the splinter is visible you can draw it out as with any protruding splinter, by simply using a tweezer.

Make sure you’re very careful while executing the entire procedure however, as if you do it carelessly, hastily or without paying much attention, you could end up sending the splinter deeper in.

Once you extract the splinter make sure you cleanse the area thoroughly with an antiseptic and cover the wound with an adhesive bandage to prevent infection.

In some cases the splinter may however only reach the upper layer, visible beneath the skin surface, but not protruding. Although it would be possible to extract the splinter if visible under the surface, it is not advisable that you do this yourself and you should visit a doctor.

answered by S D on 30 Jul 2009, 4:24:13

How to Remove Wood Splinter

I have a wood splinter deep in the hand between the thumb and the index finger.It is deep and I cant see it, swelling has starting and I need to know how to remove it? (30 Jul 2009)

I have a wood splinter deep in the hand between the thumb and the index finger.It is deep and I cant see it, swelling has starting and I need to know how to remove it?
(30 Jul 2009)