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If you’re a parent, you need to know how to remove a splinter. See, my daughter was only a year old when she got her first splinter. Playing barefoot on my parent’s front porch had proven to be a terrible idea. I noticed the splinter that evening while giving her a bath. I touched it to see if it was tender, and when she appeared unbothered I attempted to push it out with my fingernail. I had hoped the warm bath water would work in my favor, but it didn’t, and the splinter remained embedded in her pudgy little foot.
I knew it was unlikely my wild, wiggly toddler was going to let me dig around in her foot with a needle, so a different solution was in order. One that didn’t involve a needle, or any pain at all. After consulting Dr. Google, and a few mom-friends, I found a pain-free solution to our splinter woes — and it worked beautifully. Keep reading to learn how to remove a splinter.
Step 1: Mix baking soda and water to make a paste. You don’t need much baking soda, just a few teaspoons should do the trick.
Step 2: Apply the baking soda paste liberally over the splinter, and cover with a bandage. If you have a fun character bandage you will score extra points with your kiddo.
Step 3: Check the splinter from time to time, and apply more paste as needed. You don’t want the paste to dry out.
Step 4: The baking soda paste should bring the splinter to the surface of the skin. (Depending on the depth of the splinter, this process can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours.) When you are able, grab the splinter with a pair of tweezers and pull gently to remove the splinter. If the splinter breaks, repeat steps 2-4.
Step 5: The splinter is out—YAY! Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.
Be sure to watch for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, extreme tenderness, drainage, and fever, until the area is completely healed. If you have any concerns about infection contact your child’s doctor right away.
Photo: Getty
