Getting splinters out can be a tough job sometimes. Not all school nurses prefer to remove splinters but in case you do here are some tips and tricks to hopefully make it a little easier.
First and foremost, if you do not prefer to remove splinters as some do, it is perfectly reasonable to clean the area, cover with a bandaid and let the parent know so they can handle it at home. Many nurses feel that it is outside of their scope of practice to “dig” for a splinter that is not easily removed as it is a more invasive procedure that could be considered “surgery”. If the splinter is sticking out or easily removed then it is ok to grab it with tweezers and remove it or soak it and give it a try but if it is too deep and requires a lot of digging then stop and inform the parent.
If you want to try and get it out here are some tips to make it easier. Before attempting to remove anything make sure that you clean the area well and use clean/sterile packaged equipment, make sure the student does not have an allergy to items used. Always stop if they can’t tolerate the removal attempt.
- Splinter-Out (or a cheaper option, a lancet): this is basically a one time use little needle that can help pull the splinter up and out.
- Epsom salt soak: mix up some epsom salt and warm water and soak the area for about 10 minutes. Once the splinter swells up enough to remove it you can grab it with tweezers or a Splinter-Out.
- Vegetable oil?? soaking the area in vegetable oil for a few minutes might soften the area enough to be able to more easily reach the splinter. have you tried this?
- White glue: Not just for ASMR peeling pleasure, if you put some white glue on a splinter and let it dry then peel it off it might pull the splinter out with it!
- Honey: put a dab of honey on the splinter and put a bandaid over it and eventually the honey will absorb the moisture bringing the splinter to the surface. Don’t let little kids under 12 months old eat the honey though!
- Duct tape: put a little piece of duct tape over the splinter and rub it on really well. When you pull it off it SHOULD pull the splinter with it since it’s super sticky.
- Baking soda soak: Mix up a paste with baking soda and water and place it over the splinter. Give it a few hours and hopefully it will cause the splinter to work its way out to where you can grab it.
- Hydrogen peroxide: soak the area in hydrogen peroxide and let the bubbles bubble the splinter out.
- A 3-5 ml syringe: either a luer lock or a medicine syringe with the tip cut off, place the hole over the splinter and try to suction gently to draw the splinter out.
When all else fails and you can’t get it out without causing excessive pain or bleeding, clean it, cover it and notify parent. They can take the child to the doctor for removal.
https://www.nursingcenter.com/static?pageid=1037067
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/8-tricks-for-removing-splinters
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/remove-splinters
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/s/splinters
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/splinters-sheet.html?ref=search
Your Favorite School Nurse 
Hi, Emme!
This is such a useful guide for removing splinters. I appreciate that you gave 9 different methods, as splinters can sometimes be difficult to remove.
I was glad to see hydrogen peroxide on the list as it seems to be the least invasive way of removing a splinter. Also, the image of Master Splinter was a nice touch.
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lol, thanks!
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