Splinter Removal Tips

How do I remove glass safely from skin?
(25 Aug 2009)

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The problem of slivers and splinters and similar puncture wounds is not uncommon, particularly if you’re a handyman and spend a lot of time pottering around in a tool shed working on your projects. The problem of course isn’t restricted solely to such an environment but can occur in any household on account of the objects we interact with like glass and wood, or even in the outdoors, with thorns then being a problem. This type of wound incurred from a splinter of glass or wood or even a thorn entering your skin is termed as a sliver.

Slivers are basically puncture wounds with debris embedded in the wound. In your case it is glass. A foreign object that punctures the skin and stays embedded in the tissue can be problematic because of the pain that radiates from the area with the slightest application of pressure.

If you’re not careful too it can be problematic as the object can get lodged further in, making extraction a lot more difficult. In almost all cases a splinter can be easily removed at home itself without the need for any medical intervention.

Here are some general tips that should help you deal with the problem yourself.

If a portion of the splinter is protruding from your skin then you’re in luck. All you will need is a tweezer to solver the problem. Simply sterilize the tips and carefully pinch the sliver, as close as possible to the skin, and maneuver it out.

If the sliver is not directly accessible because it’s completely embedded then you would require a needle instead of tweezers. As with the teezers it needs to be sterilized before use. Simply use the tip to nudge the sliver from the bottom or rather the end of the splinter that made the entry, to send it upwards but in the direction of the puncture hole. This needs to be done very carefully as if you aren’t sure what you’re doing or have an unsteady hand you could end up breaking up the sliver into smaller shreds, or simply sending it deeper in.

If the sliver is inaccessible and can not be maneuvered then it would be necessary to break the skin to extract it rather than prod away with tweezers or a needle, as that would simply cause bruising to the tissues. A shallow incision made with a blade can enable you to part the skin and extract the splinter.

If you’re unsure about how to proceed or your hands are too unsteady, then make it a point to consult your doctor for the extraction.

answered by S D on 25 Aug 2009, 1:03:35

Splinter Removal Tips

How do I remove glass safely from skin? (25 Aug 2009)

How do I remove glass safely from skin?
(25 Aug 2009)