Health Tip: Remove a Splinter

Wash your hands before and after extraction

(HealthDay News) -- Even if a splinter doesn't hurt, you should remove it properly without delay to prevent possible infection.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for removing a splinter:

Using soap and water, carefully wash your hands and the area affected by the splinter.
Sterilize a needle and a pair of tweezers by dipping the ends in boiling water, then wiping them dry with clean cotton.
If the tip of the splinter is not exposed, gently push away the skin with the needle until you can grab the splinter.
Gently and slowly pull out the splinter at the same angle in which it's embedded in the skin.
Once the splinter is entirely removed, wash the area again with soap and water, and cover with a bandage.

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