A splinter is a sharp, slender piece of wood, bone, glass, or metal that has split or broken off from a main piece of material. Small splinters in the skin can be painful, but they may usually be removed at home. Large or deep splinters, or splinters in the eye or mouth, are best removed by a medical professional. In the rare event of profuse bleeding with a splinter, contact your healthcare provider for assistance.

To remove a small splinter with tweezers, clean the tweezers with an alcohol wipe, and wash your hands and the affected area thoroughly. If the end of the splinter is visible, grasp it with the tweezers. It should come out easily.

If the splinter is entirely under the skin, use a sterilized needle to open the skin. Heat a sharp needle in an open flame to sterilize it. Wait a minute for it to cool. Then make a slit in the top layer of the skin, over the splinter. You may be able to lift the splinter out with the needle. You may have to use the tweezers to pull it out.

Some plants have spines or thorns, which may become embedded in the skin. Use the very same method to remove these as you would a splinter. Very small spines may be difficult to see. You might get them out by applying tape over the area and then pulling it off. The tape will pull out many of the very small needles with it. You might also use rubber cement or white glue. Apply it to the skin and allow it to dry. Peel the dried glue off the skin. It will take away many the small spines with it.

You should call your healthcare provider if any one of the following is true:
* You can't get the splinter out after trying these techniques.
* The area becomes reddened, swollen, and hot, or pus develops.
* The splinter is in, or close to, the eye.
* You are diabetic or immunocompromised, and you have removed a deep splinter.

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