How to Extract a Splinter

Video Transcript

"At some point in life most of us will encounter what's know as the common ordinary splinter. Hi, I am Captain Joe Bruni and what we're going to talk about and discuss is how to remove a splinter. Splinters come in all forms, sizes and shapes. Commonly caused by wood, plant material and what not. The very first thing we would do is person rendering or delivering the first aid is to wash our hands and clean them with soap and water. We may also want to clean the affected area where the splinter has occurred. Evaluate the situation to determine if the splinter can be removed. With something as simple as a pair of tweezers. We would obtain a pair of tweezers. Possibly a small set of first aid or bandage shears and or possible even a nail clipper of some type. We would sterilize these implements by boiling them in water for a significant amount of time or placing the tips of these instruments in a hot flame. Until they turn red hot and then letting them cool. Which would insure sterilization it could also include something like a small pin or needle that also needs to be sterilized. We would determine if the head of the splinter can be accessed with tweezers and if it can gently pull and remove. If it can not we may need to take the scissors, nail clippers or needle and cut away a small portion of the skin area around that splinter area. We would then expose the end of the splinter and reach in. Grab with a pair of tweezers. Gently pull and remove ensuring we get all of the splinter material out of the wound. Leaving any material in the wound opens up the body for secondary infection. After splinter material been removed we would treat the area with soap and water or some type of antiseptic solution. Like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol or some other type of antiseptic. We would then bandage the area after we encourage a little bit of bleeding. To get germs and bacteria out of the wound site. Where the splinter had been laying. Removal of a splinter can be a scary painful process for small children but with some encouragement and with some gentile prodding. The job can get done at a much easier pace. I am Captain Joe Bruni. Stay safe and I'll see you next time."