Safe Splinter Removal from Infant Hands: A Parent's Guide

A splinter not only causes discomfort to your infant, but it can also lead to infections, such as tetanus. When you don't remove a splinter, it can become embedded beneath the skin, trapping it. This can be potentially harmful for your infant, especially if he doesn't have up-t-date vaccinations. You can use the tape or tweezer method to extract a splinter. However, Sutter Health recommends using the tape method prior to resorting to tweezers. See your child's pediatrician, if the splinter breaks off while trying to remove it.

Things You'll Need

• Cellophane tape
• Soap
• Antibiotic ointment
• Bandage
• Tweezers
• Cotton ball
• Rubbing alcohol

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Instructions

Tape Method

• 1

  Cut enough cellophane tape to cover the splinter. Leave enough tape at the end to use as a pull tab.

• 2

  Apply the tape in the direction the splinter was embedded. Quickly pull the tape away from your infant's hand.

• 3

  Wash your infant's hand with soap and water. Spread a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the affected area and cover it with a bandage.

Tweezer Removal

• 4

  Ensure that your tweezers are clean prior to using.

  Cleanse your hands and wash your infant's hands. Sterilize your tweezers by cleaning the ends with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.

• 5

  Pinch the splinter with your tweezers. Gently pull the splinter out. Pulling too forcefully can break the splinter in half, making removal of the rest of the splinter difficult.

• 6

  Cover the wound.

  Wash your infant's hand again. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage.