What is the best way to remove a splinter?

Despite being a common injury, there is still little medical literature on the best way to remove splinters. In most cases, using tweezers is the best option.

Splinters are common injuries that usually involve a small fragment of wood, glass, metal, plastic or thorn that is lodged in the skin and underlying soft tissue.

The outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, has a high level of pain receptors. The layer just below, called the dermis, has even more receptors, which can make these very painful injuries.

Knowing how to remove a splinter may not be a matter of life or death. However, good technique can alleviate persistent pain or prevent subsequent complications.

There is little information in the medical literature

Although pain relief is an important topic in healthcare, splinters have received little academic attention.

In 2004, a team of doctors wrote that “no study was carried out controlled by comparing different techniques, leaving doctors dependent on individual experiences.” A search of the medical literature on splinters in 2025 reveals only a long list of case studies.

Online sites and TikTok videos are full of “tricks” and tips that suggest using vinegar, tape, glue, onion slices and banana peelsamong other methods. There is little evidence to support or refute these practices, but some of them can cause skin irritation or even allergic reactions.

At the end of the day, you don’t need any tricks to remove splinters. Here’s how to do it correctly and safely – and when you should seek medical advice.

First, where is the barb?

The location of the splinter is the first screening point. If a splinter is suspected in the eye or eyelid, it should be seek medical assistance urgently in a doctor’s office, walk-in clinic or emergency room. Do not attempt to wash or irrigate the eye; this needs to be done by a healthcare professional with sterile saline in a controlled environment.

Gaps trapped under the fingernail or toenail, known as subungual splinters, also often require surgical removal.

Second, what is the splinter made of?

The type of splinter can also determine whether you need medical help.

It is necessary to have Beware of glass splintersas they can break or shatter, leaving fragments that are difficult to remove and can cause persistent pain, inflammation or infection.

Wood flaws, thorns or rusty metal found outdoors can also transmit tetanusrequiring a booster dose of the tetanus vaccine. People who are immunocompromised or have undergone lymph node surgery should seek medical attention as they may need antibiotics.

What you will need to remove the splinter

If none of the above applies and you can see the splinter clearly, the best way to remove it is with a tweezer.

If the tip of the splinter is close to the surface, consider using a beveled needle (available at pharmacies) to gently lift the top layer of skin and expose the splinter. Be careful not to reach deeper layers of the skin as it will be painful.

Before trying to remove the splinter, if it is not made of wood, soak the affected area in warm water can help soften the skin. Epsom salts, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide are sometimes recommended, but there is no scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness.

Do not leave the wood splinters to soak as they can cause the wood to swell and make it difficult to remove.

Steps to remove a splinter:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an antiseptic hand gel.
2. Sterilize the tweezers (and the needle, if using them) by rubbing or dipping the tips in the same antiseptic gel. Let the tweezers dry and do not place them back on the table before using.
3. If necessary, use reading glasses to magnify the splinter. This will prevent you from hitting the splinter (increasing the pain) and will make it easier to get a good grip with the tweezers. For metal splinters, consider using nail clippers to pinch the splinter for a better grip.
4. Remove the splinter following the entry trajectory – gently pull it in the opposite direction to which it entered.
5. After removing the splinter, wash the area with soap and water or an antiseptic solution. Cleaning with alcohol gel can cause burning.
6. If the wound is bleeding, cover it with a bandage.

For splinters close to the surface, you will probably be able to see if the splinter has been completely removed. For splinters that penetrate at a steeper angle, it can be difficult to know whether you have removed it completely. Deep splinters may even require imaging tests to locate.

After removing the splinter, monitor the area over the next few days for persistent pain and signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pain or discharge. Infections in untreated wounds can lead to sepsis, a potentially fatal medical condition.