Skip to main content
Update Location

My Location

Update your location to show providers, locations, and services closest to you.

Enter a zip code
Or
Select a campus/region
(352) 733-0111

Splinter removal

Definition

A splinter is a thin piece of material (such as wood, glass, or metal) that gets embedded just below the top layer of your skin.

Splinter removal
To remove a splinter first wash your hands with soap and water. Next, use tweezers to grab the splinter and carefully pull it out at the same angle it went in. After the splinter is out wash the area with soap and water. Pat it dry and apply antibiotic ointment. Seek medical attention if there is infection or inflammation, or the splinter is deeply embedded.

Information

Patient Education Video: How to remove a splinter

To remove a splinter, first wash your hands with soap and water. Use tweezers to grab the splinter. Carefully pull it out at the same angle it went in.

If the splinter is under the skin or hard to grab:

  • Sterilize a pin or needle by soaking it in rubbing alcohol or placing the tip in a flame.
  • Wash your hands with soap.
  • Use the pin to gently remove skin over the splinter.
  • Then use the tip of the pin to lift the end of the splinter out.
  • You may need to use tweezers to pull out the splinter after you lift it.

After the splinter is out, wash the area with soap and water. Pat the area dry. (Don't rub.) Apply antibiotic ointment. Bandage the cut if it is likely to get dirty.

See your health care provider if there is inflammation or pus, or if the splinter is deeply embedded. Also seek medical attention if the splinter is in your eye or close to it.

Splinter removal
To remove a splinter first wash your hands with soap and water. Next, use tweezers to grab the splinter and carefully pull it out at the same angle it went in. After the splinter is out wash the area with soap and water. Pat it dry and apply antibiotic ointment. Seek medical attention if there is infection or inflammation, or the splinter is deeply embedded.

Gallery

Splinter removal
To remove a splinter first wash your hands with soap and water. Next, use tweezers to grab the splinter and carefully pull it out at the same angle it went in. After the splinter is out wash the area with soap and water. Pat it dry and apply antibiotic ointment. Seek medical attention if there is infection or inflammation, or the splinter is deeply embedded.
Splinter removal
To remove a splinter first wash your hands with soap and water. Next, use tweezers to grab the splinter and carefully pull it out at the same angle it went in. After the splinter is out wash the area with soap and water. Pat it dry and apply antibiotic ointment. Seek medical attention if there is infection or inflammation, or the splinter is deeply embedded.

References

Auerbach PS. Procedures. In: Auerbach PS, ed. Medicine for the Outdoors. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:444-454.

O'Connor AM, Canares TL. Foreign-body removal. In: Olympia RP, O'Neill RM, Silvis ML, eds. Urgent Care Medicine Secrets. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 48.

Stone DB, Scordino DJ. Foreign body removal. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 36.

Last reviewed July 19, 2021 by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

Related specialties