From the Research
To treat a splinter in your foot, first clean the area with soap and water, then use sterilized tweezers to gently remove the splinter by gripping it at the exposed end and pulling in the direction it entered, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. When removing a splinter, it's essential to prioritize minimizing the risk of infection and promoting healing.
- Clean the area with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection.
- Use sterilized tweezers to gently remove the splinter, gripping it at the exposed end and pulling in the direction it entered.
- If the splinter isn't visible, soaking the foot in warm water with Epsom salt for 10-15 minutes can help draw it to the surface.
- For deeply embedded splinters, applying a drawing salve like ichthammol ointment overnight with a bandage may be helpful.
- After removal, clean the area again with normal saline or tap water, as antiseptic solutions may impair healing 1.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin and cover with a clean bandage.
- Change the bandage daily and monitor for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus.
- If unable to remove the splinter, it's very deep, or signs of infection develop, seek medical attention, as foreign objects in the skin can cause inflammation and potentially lead to infection 1. It's also crucial to consider tetanus prophylaxis, especially if the patient's immunization history is unknown or incomplete, as tetanus can be a complication of foreign body infections 2.