Splinters

[Pesky Wabbit]

Any tips on removing splinters.

I've got a deep one in the thumb and have been trying to remove it all last night and this morning.

It just wont shift.

I might have to resort to open thumb surgery.  :( :(

[Pesky Wabbit]

[goodlife]

I've got one of those too >:(..and on thumb..and it broke off before fully coming out... >:(...well there is 2 things that may help..
1.you let it sit in...untill it can be squeezed out ::)...you know..puss and all that...
2. take well sharpened axe and have a test run how sharp it really is.. ::)

..personally I have decided to take option 1... ;D

[Mortality]

needle and a pair of tweezers  :P

[ACE]

I usually nick them out with the tip of a stanley knife. Be careful though and don't shut your eyes in a grimace when you are doing it. Use a fresh blade dipped in boiling water. Quick and clean.

[debster]

be careful you dont want to end up with sepicaemia

[manicscousers]

Ray always uses a sharp knife tip  ;D

[:(]

I use the poultice method, put a fabric elastoplast on and keep the plaster wet. It draws the splinter and softens the area so it can be popped out after a couple of days.

[small]

Get some magnesium sulphate paste from the chemist, slosh it on and cover it overnight. It draws the splinter out.

[Pesky Wabbit]

Thanks everyone.

I did wonder if soaking in something would help. If not, soak me innards with cider and use a sharp blade.

[coznbob]

Do you know what, was deliberating asking the same question, sharp knife hasn't worked (am too much of a scaredy cat) so am sitting here with my finger in a bowl of hot water. Thought I'd come on here to catch up whilst I did it.

Am going to see if soaking it will have any affect....

Will let you know if it works ::)

Yup, that got it with the help of a sharp knife, tweezers and a quickly downed glass of wine... :'(

[reddyreddy]

Get some magnesium sulphate paste from the chemist, slosh it on and cover it overnight. It draws the splinter out.

another vote for magnesium sulphate, don't cover too tightly.

[Squash64]

We always used Ichthammol ointment.
This has reminded me that I must get some more, just in case.

http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Ichthammol_Ointment

[Jeannine]

Soak in warm soapy water as hot as you can stand and keep adding water to keep it hot, See the angle in went in, and try and grab the end with a very tiny pair ir fine tweezers. I find the soaking methid open the pores and they pop out easily

XX Jeannine

[saddad]

We use Sudacrem (?sp) the Nappy rash cream...
if the tweezers and needle method has failed..

[tomatoada]

I use the poultice method, put a fabric elastoplast on and keep the plaster wet. It draws the splinter and softens the area so it can be popped out after a couple of days.

I use the above but pad with cotton wool which I keep wet.  The skin round the splinter can be gently peeled back.  Keep clean afterwards but dry.

[antipodes]

To top it off, they always seem to get into that fleshy part where it really hurts to dig them out with a needle.
Here in France to draw things out they use an antiseptic that is chlorine based, so you can do the same thing soaking in really hot water with some bleach (mind your clothes). That seems to draw things to the surface, probably some kind of chemical reaction. Do try to get it out though, I got an infection in my finger last year from probably a raspberry thorn. Swelled up twice the size .

[Ninnyscrops.]

Butter and sugar on a big plaster (no peeking for 2 days), that usually works them out for me  ;)

Ninny

[Spookyville]

a needle or pin, good light and a patient partner with a steady hand :)