Needle and tweezers
- disinfecting both the needle and tweezers with rubbing alcohol.
- puncturing the skin with the needle over the part of the splinter closest to the surface.
- pinching the splinter with the tweezers and pulling it out gently and slowly.
What happens if you can't get a Skelf out?
If the body can't get rid of a splinter, it may "wall it off" to form an internal lump known as a granuloma. The splinter can re-emerge at the surface, sometimes years later, or remain encased and "dormant", Dr Sheridan says.
How do you bring a splinter to the surface?
If a splinter is especially deep, you can make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it to the affected area. Then, cover it with a bandaid or bandage and wait about a day; the paste should move the splinter closer to the surface of the skin.
