Need a certification?
We want you to feel confident that you're receiving the best training, so Sports First Aid Level 3 (VTQ) is fully available for preview below. If you're in need of a certificate of completion for work, create your account today to track your progress.
Splinters can enter the body in many different ways and forms. Common items are wood splinters and small pieces of metal. Getting a splinter is not normally serious unless it is a sensitive part of the body like the eyes. The first thing to do is to clean the area with a mild soap and water so that the area is clean and there is less risk of dirt entering the body through the cut the splinter made. Make sure you ask the person for permission to help them. Small splinters can be very hard to see and if you cannot remove it then it will usually work its way out in a few days. If you can see it then you can remove it with tweezers or if it is not fully in the body, sticky tape or a plaster can be stuck on the splinter and then removed, which hopefully will remove it from the body. Larger splinters can be removed with tweezers. You can clean these with alcohol wipes or a liquid first aid disinfectant. Where you can see the end of the splinter, carefully grip it with the tweezers pulling it out in the direction that it entered the body to avoid breaking it in two. Once it's removed, clean the wound with a first aid wipe and apply a plaster if necessary. It can help to squeeze either side of the wound to allow it to bleed which will flush out any dirt. You may need to get medical help from a Doctor or Nurse if you cannot remove the whole splinter, the wound is bleeding heavily, the splinter is in a sensitive area or under a nail.
Handling Splinters: First Aid Guide
Understanding Splinters
Splinters can infiltrate the body in various ways and materials, with common culprits being wood splinters and small metal fragments. While splinters are usually not a cause for major concern, there are exceptions, especially when they affect sensitive areas like the eyes.
Cleaning the Affected Area
Immediate action is crucial when dealing with a splinter. Follow these steps:
- Cleanse: Use a mild soap and water to clean the affected area thoroughly. This minimizes the risk of dirt entering the body through the wound created by the splinter.
- Permission: Always ask the affected person for their permission before providing assistance.
Removing Small Splinters
Small, barely visible splinters may resolve on their own in a few days. However, if you can see the splinter, consider these removal methods:
- Tweezers: Gently remove the splinter using tweezers. Alternatively, if it's partially exposed, apply sticky tape or a plaster over it and then carefully peel it off to extract the splinter.
Dealing with Larger Splinters
For more prominent splinters, follow these steps:
- Tweezers: Utilize tweezers to remove the larger splinter. Beforehand, clean the tweezers with alcohol wipes or a first aid disinfectant.
- Proper Extraction: When the splinter's end is visible, grip it carefully with the tweezers and pull it out in the same direction it entered the body, preventing it from breaking in two.
After Removal
Post-removal, ensure the following:
- Cleanse: Use a first aid wipe to clean the wound and consider applying a plaster if necessary.
- Facilitate Bleeding: Gently squeeze the sides of the wound to encourage bleeding, which can help flush out any lingering dirt.
Seeking Medical Help
If you encounter challenges while dealing with a splinter, or if any of the following situations arise, it's advisable to seek medical assistance:
- Unable to remove the entire splinter.
- Excessive bleeding from the wound.
- The splinter is embedded in a sensitive area or beneath a nail.