Home Blogs Splinter Removal Tips And Tricks: Povidone Iodine Solution – How To Remove Splinter From Your Skin
Splinter Removal Tips And Tricks: Povidone Iodine Solution – How To Remove Splinter From Your Skin
By
Patricia | December 30, 2009
Splinter Infection
The first things to do when attempting the removal of splinters from your skin are to look for signs of infection. These may manifest themselves by way of redness, swelling in the affected area, pus draining out from the wound and severe pain in the affected area. Needless to say if you do notice any signs of infection, it is highly advisable to see a medical professional immediately. The possibilities of a splinter leading to an infection are largely dependent on the makeup of the splinter. Animal’s spines or plant thorns and other similar organic materials are more likely to cause infections or toxic reactions.
Splinter Removal Tips And Tricks - Povidone Iodine Solution and Other Home Remedies
Here are some tips on how you can easily remove a splinter from your skin.
- Firstly, you should ensure safety not only for the patient but for yourself as well. It is advisable to wear protective equipment before attempting the removal of the splinter.
- Make sure your hands are washed thoroughly with a good cleansing agent and clean running water.
- Another very useful trick is that begin by squeezing the splinter from both sides as well as the bottom of the splinter, to try and prise it out, in the same way that it entered the skin.
- Use a sterilized needle with some ideal antibacterial solution. It is preferable to avoid using isopropyl alcohol unless you have no other alternative. Iodine is believed to be far more effective in eliminating bacteria than isopropyl alcohol.
- Now wash the area around the wound with some warm water and soap.
- Take the needle and use it to open up the skin just above the splinter so as to enable you to grab the splinter with the tweezers and pull it out. If you are unable to do so with a needle, perhaps you can try to use a pair of nail clippers.
- Grab the end of the splinter and pull it out of the skin. Once again use the solution of warm water and soap with some povidone iodine solution to cleanse the wound.
A few important points to bear in mind, whilst attempting the removal of a splinter from your skin -- In most cases it is the pain of the sprinter which is more upsetting than anything else. So, if the affected area is extremely tender, you may consider using a bee sting swab to dull the pain. If you are not up to date on the tetanus vaccination you will need to ensure that you have your doctor administer one at the earliest opportunity.