How To Remove a Splinter Safely — and When To Call a Doctor

It’s a familiar situation for a lot of us: Your child is playing in the yard barefoot and comes in complaining that they stepped on something. Or you were running your hand over a fence and ... ouch!

You take a look and, sure enough, it’s a splinter.

The good news? Most splinters can be handled at home with a little patience and the right approach. But there are also times when it’s best to let a medical professional step in. Pediatrician W. Kyle Mudd, DO, offers advice on what to do.

What is a splinter?

A splinter is an injury that happens when a small sliver of something gets lodged in your skin. Common culprits include organic sources, like wood and thorns, or shards of inorganic materials, like glass or metal.

Splinters can hurt, and they can invite infection.

Some splinters can sit just under the surface of your skin, and you may be able to see one end sticking out. Other times, they can burrow deeper into your skin. That can affect how easy they are to remove.

Should you remove a splinter?

In most cases, yes, you can remove a splinter. And if it’s painful, deep or made of organic material, removing it is the best choice.

“It’s especially important to remove organic material quickly,” Dr. Mudd advises. “Those types of splinters can become infected more easily than something like glass or metal.”

Deeper splinters will probably need to come out, too.

“An embedded, more painful splinter shouldn’t be left in due to the risk of infection,” he adds.

Very small, shallow splinters that aren’t causing discomfort may work their way out on their own as your skin naturally sheds. If you’re waiting it out, keep an eye on signs of irritation. If it starts to hurt, swell or look red, it’s time to take action.

5 ways to remove a splinter

There isn’t one “best” way to remove a splinter. The right approach depends on where it is, how deep it goes and whether part of it is visible.

Before trying any method, start with the basics: Wash your hands well and clean the affected area with soap and water.

“Cleaning the skin first helps reduce the chance of infection,” Dr. Mudd says.

From there, try one of these methods.

1. Give it a soak

Good for tough areas of skin

Soaking can soften your skin, which may help the splinter fall out on its own. Or it can be used as a first step before trying other methods.

Soaking in water can be especially helpful on tougher skin, like the bottom of your foot.

Soak the area in warm (not hot!) water for about 10 minutes. Adding some Epsom salt to the water can help, too.

“Epsom salt helps bring foreign materials to the surface,” Dr. Mudd explains.

If you’re using a small bowl of water, add about a tablespoon of Epsom salt. For a larger basin, like a sink, add about 1/3 of a cup.

2. Use honey

Good for gentle removal

Honey may help soften skin and has natural antibacterial properties, which may help draw out a stuck splinter.

Try this:

• Apply a small amount of honey over the area.
• Cover with a bandage for a few hours or overnight.

This may help the splinter come out on its own or bring it closer to the surface for easier removal.

3. Tweeze it out

Good for visible splinters

If part of the splinter is sticking out, a careful tug with tweezers is often the easiest option. Here’s how to do it:

• Clean your tweezers with rubbing alcohol.
• Gently grasp the exposed end.
• Pull it out slowly in the same direction it entered.

“Pulling along the same path helps prevent the splinter from breaking,” Dr. Mudd says.

4. Try tape

Good for small, shallow splinters

For tiny splinters near the surface, a bit of tape might do the trick:

• Place a piece of sticky tape over the area.
• Gently pull the tape off.

Like with tweezers, pull in the same direction as the splinter entered.

5. Use a needle (carefully!)

Good for splinters under the skin

If the splinter is fully embedded, you may need to bring it to the surface first. Do this:

• Sterilize a needle with alcohol.
• Use it to gently open the top layer of skin to expose the splinter.
• Remove the splinter with tweezers or the needle.

“I tell people to visualize the splinter and gently ‘feather’ open the skin,” Dr. Mudd shares. “Don’t pinch the skin because that pressure can break the splinter into pieces.”

Care for the area after splinter removal

Your job isn’t done when the splinter comes out. You still want to take a few steps to protect your skin and prevent infection.

Do this:

• Wash the area again.
• Apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly.
• Cover with a clean bandage.

When to seek medical care for a splinter

Sometimes, trying to remove a splinter at home can do more harm than good.

Dr. Mudd recommends seeing a healthcare provider if:

• The splinter is deep or hard to reach.
• It’s under a fingernail or near your eye.
• It entered the skin vertically (straight up and down).
• It breaks during removal or you’re not sure you’ve completely removed it.
• You’ve tried for 10 to 15 minutes without success.
• You notice signs of infection (like redness, swelling or pus).
• You’re not up to date on your tetanus vaccines (especially if the splinter came from something rusty or dirty).

“Don’t keep digging if it’s not coming out,” Dr. Mudd advises. “At that point, it’s better to let a professional handle it.”

With the right technique — and a little patience — you can safely take care of most splinters at home. And when you can’t, getting medical help sooner rather than later can save you time, pain and bigger problems later.