There's nothing more irritating (well, except for maybe your mother-in-law) than a pesky little splinter that just won't come out. No matter how much you pick, prod, or squeeze it with your fingers (not recommended), the darn thing always seems to evade capture.
But fear not my friends! In this article, we'll walk through the step-by-step process of using tweezers like a pro and getting rid of those stubborn splinters once and for all.
Gather Your Materials
First things first - before you can start extracting that pesky little speck from your finger (or any other part of your body) , you need to gather up some materials. You'll want:
- A pair of pointy tweezers
- Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
- Soap and water
- Band-aids (optional)
Choosing the Right Tweezer
Believe it or not, not all tweezers are created equal in the world of splinter extraction. To make sure you're choosing the right tool for the job, look for a pair with:
- A pointed tip (duh)
- A slanted angle at which they meet. This will give you better control when trying to grasp onto tiny objects.
You can use slanted tweeze too as long as it has a finely-pointed grip area.
Clean It Up!
Before diving straight into pulling out that sneaky intruder inside your skin(gross), take time in cleaning the affected spot's surface first. The last thing you want to do is introduce bacteria into the area and end up with an even bigger problem.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean the surface of the skin where the splinter is embedded.
- If possible, use a sterilized needle or pin to gently lift any skin around the splinter so you can get a better grip on it when pulling.
Remove That Splinter!
Now that your spot (not spot-on-stop-it) is all cleaned up, it's time for extraction.
Here are five easy steps for removing that unwanted piece of wood/piece/chip/dust from your body using only Tweezers!
- Using two fingers (haha not tweezer just yet), press down on either side of the splinter area opposite each other in order to elevate its angle.
- With either hand, grip tightly onto one end of tweezers until they’re closed whilst holding them parallel with your skin’s surface.
- Next - and this part may take some patience - try aiming/touching/grasping/reaching or dabbing at ^the pointy tip^ allowing friction between them (+your finger) in order reach (surface) said entry object by pressing/close firmly over exposed / raised section before gently start pulling it outwards; taking care as not break off pieces that could aggravate/inflame future attempts at full extractions!
- You might notice tiny fibers sticking out through surrounding flesh which need special attention too—even fine wooden slivers look less jagged after being under distressed-pulling combo pressure . Use those pointy tips again making sure there's enough ‘purchase’ behind insertion whilst grasping fibres just outside the skin & eventually freeing them also (think of it like stone from avocado).
- Once the splinter dislodges, clean up the area and cover with a band-aid or dressing if needed.
REMEMBER: If you can't get that pesky speck out after making several attempts (good luck!), or if you notice signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or discharge (yuck!) , seek medical advice ASAP.
Say Goodbye to Splinters Forever!
By following these simple steps for tweezing-out those frustrating little suckers (splinters not family-in-laws) , you'll be able to keep your fingers - and all other body parts - free and clear of foreign objects.
Just remember people: Safety (and tweezers) first!
Now go forth and live your best life...splinter-free!