How to See and Remove Splinters Painlessly

Nothing is more aggravating than having a splinter you can't see to remove. Digging around the splinter makes it much more painful than it needs to be. To see it and remove it quickly and effectively, try these tips.

Things You'll Need

• Tweezers
• Iodine
• Food Coloring
• Betadine
• White glue
• Tweezers
• Soap and water
• Antibiotic cream
• Band Aid

Instructions

1. If you can't see a splinter that you know is there put a drop of iodine, betadine or food coloring on the area. Squeeze a little on and let it run off the area. More of the coloring will stay where the splinter is and it will color the piece of wood darker. If it's glass or something nonporous, it will only color the opening but that should be enough.

2. When the splinter is really visible, just pick it out with the tweezers. No pain is involved!

3. Let the area with the splinter soak in soapy water for several minutes. Dry it thoroughly. Then squirt some white school glue on the area. Let it dry well. When it's good and dry, peel it off. Many times the splinter will come off with the glue.

4. Try both the coloring (the iodine and betadine will color things the darkest) and the glue. If there's not much pain you can wait until the next day to see if it will work its way out more so you can try these steps again. Sometimes, despite all the painful digging you do, they are just too far in to take out yourself. To avoid infection or breaking the splinter off inside, let a doctor look at it.

Tips & Warnings

• Try food coloring first and then the betadine and lastly the iodine which may sting a little. Make sure to do this over the sink or over paper towels as these all stain badly.

• If the area becomes swollen or red and more tender, it is probably infected. Make sure a doctor sees it.