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- “British Medical Journal”; Hair Splinter; Jack Lieber; September 1962
- “British Medical Journal”; Hair Splinter; Jack Lieber; September 1962
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Home Remedy to Draw Out a Hair Splinter
Hair splinters are annoying and painful. These splinters appear when a sliver of hair lodges itself under your skin and torments you until gone. Most splinters can be removed safely from home with the proper tools and antiseptic 1. Once removed, there is little chance for infection.
Hair Splinters
Splinters are foreign objects that snag and get caught under the skin. Hair splinters are common among hairstylist and groomers. Splinters at the top of the skin cause less pain than those embedded deeply. In order to avoid infection, withdraw the hair splinter immediately.
- Splinters are foreign objects that snag and get caught under the skin.
- Splinters at the top of the skin cause less pain than those embedded deeply.
Soak Your Skin
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Before retracting a splinter from your skin, soak it in warm water for approximately 15 minutes. Best Home Remedies says that this causes the object to soften and grow, possibly allowing it to come up naturally 1. Soaking the skin also makes the skin pliable and easily manipulated, aiding with the removal of the splinter.
First Aid Spray
Spraying the splinter with first aid spray relieves some of the pain. First aid spray numbs the area and allows you to work better with the hair splinter. It also prevents infection once the splinter is removed, cleans up the area and prohibits the growth of bacteria.
Tweezers
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Grabbing a hair splinter with tweezers can be difficult. Use those that have ridges at the end. Before you begin poking at your skin, disinfect the tweezers by applying alcohol to the tips. The ridges will gain better gripping power once rubbed with alcohol.
- Grabbing a hair splinter with tweezers can be difficult.
- Before you begin poking at your skin, disinfect the tweezers by applying alcohol to the tips.
Sewing Needle
According to Natural Remedies, if you are unable to remove the hair splinter with tweezers, you can use a sewing needle 3. First, sterilize the needle by swabbing it with alcohol or holding it in a flame for a few seconds. Once the needle has cooled or dried, gently pry the splinter out of your skin.
- According to Natural Remedies, if you are unable to remove the hair splinter with tweezers, you can use a sewing needle 3.
- First, sterilize the needle by swabbing it with alcohol or holding it in a flame for a few seconds.
Related Articles
References
- Best Home Remedies: Splinters
- “British Medical Journal”; Hair Splinter; Jack Lieber; September 1962
- Splinter Removal. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002137.htm.
- Cleveland Clinic. How to remove a splinter (and when to call a doctor). Updated October 4, 2018.
- Chan C, Salam GA. Splinter removal. Am Fam Physician. 2003;67(12):2557-2562.
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to remove a splinter.
- Cleveland Clinic. Surprising ways you can get tetanus - not just from rusty nails. Updated June 18, 2015.
- Splinter Removal. MedlinePlus.
- O’Connell RL, Fageir MM, Addison A. Be aware of wood in the knee. BMJ Case Reports. 2011;2011:bcr0720114551. doi:10.1136/bcr.07.2011.4551.
Writer Bio
Based in Boulder City, Nev., Tara Thackeray began writing in 2008 for a national law review website. Her work has been published on the BARBRI website and she also contributes humorous articles on her blog. Thackeray holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Arizona State University.