How to Remove a Splinter with Baking Soda

Children (and many adults) often regard the removal of a splinter with terror. Here is an easy, fairly pain-free way to remove a splinter. This method will even work to remove a deeply embedded glass shard.

Steps

1. 1
   Do not apply pressure. DON'T even squeeze it to try and get it out. If it's sharp, you could be embedding it further into your skin by squeezing; if it's brittle, you might break it into smaller pieces.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Wash and dry the spot with soap and water. Be gentle. Pat dry (a paper towel is good for absorbing moisture without having to apply much pressure). You don't want the skin (or the splinter, if it's wood) to get soggy.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Inspect it with a magnifying glass. The size of the splinter and how it's angled in your skin will help you know what's the best way to take it out. See How to Remove a Splinter for a description of other methods you may want to try first. The baking soda method described here is best for tiny, invisible splinters. The baking soda paste will cause the skin to swell and push the splinter out. It's best used after other methods, since it will make the other methods (tape, tweezer ,needle) more difficult because your skin will be swollen.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Make a paste using water and about 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
   
   
5. 5
   Put this paste on a bandage and apply the bandage to the affected area.
   
   
6. 6
   After 24 hours, remove the bandage. The splinter may be sticking out of the skin. If it's visible, pick it off with tweezers. Rinse the skin gently (if the splinter is sticking out but not visible, this may wash it away). Repeat the method with new paste and another bandage every 24 hours until the splinter is gone.
   
   
   

Baby Orajel

1. 1
   If the splinter is extremely painful, rub a bit of Baby Orajel around the affected area and wait a few minutes before trying to remove the splinter. The Baby Orajel will numb the area. Once you wait a few minutes, wash the area with soap and water. Then proceed as you need to.
   
   
   

Tips

• You may have to re-bandage the area twice or even three times during the 24-hour period before the splinter becomes loose enough to remove (or falls out).
• Alternate treatment: Lightly apply white glue in a thin layer to the affected area. Allow to dry. Peel the glue off for the hopeful easy removal of the small splinters. Glue conforms and gets into nooks better than tape.

Warnings

• If there is any sign of infection, seek medical advice.
• Signs of infection around the splinter may include.
• Angry redness, red streaks, swelling, skin hot to the touch, thick liquid or pus seeping out of the area.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Water
• Soap
• Bandage
• gauze