How do I remove a splinter from my foot?

Splinter Removal from the Foot

Remove a superficial foot splinter by incising the skin along its long axis with a sterile blade, then lifting it out with forceps or tweezers. 1

Immediate Assessment

Before attempting removal, evaluate these key factors:

• Depth and visibility: Superficial horizontal splinters are generally visible on inspection or easily palpated, making them suitable for immediate removal 1
• Material type: Wood, thorns, spines, and vegetative material should be removed immediately before inflammation or infection occurs 1
• Location: Splinters near important structures (nerves, tendons, blood vessels) require referral to a specialist 1

Step-by-Step Removal Technique

For Superficial Horizontal Splinters

• Expose the entire splinter by incising the skin over the full length of the splinter's long axis using a sterile blade 1
• Grasp and remove the splinter by lifting it out with forceps or fine-tipped tweezers 1
• Avoid pushing deeper: Take particular care not to advance the splinter further into the tissue during extraction 1

For Subungual (Under the Nail) Splinters

• Cut a V-shaped piece of the nail with the point of the V positioned at the proximal tip of the splinter 1
• Grasp and extract the splinter carefully, ensuring not to push it further into the nail bed 1

When to Refer

Refer deeper splinters to a specialist, particularly those that are:

• Elusive or difficult to localize, potentially requiring imaging modalities for better visualization 1
• Located near critical structures such as nerves, tendons, blood vessels, or in deeper soft tissue planes 1
• Embedded in subcutaneous tissues where extraction attempts may cause significant tissue damage 1

Post-Removal Care

• Cleanse and debride the wound site after splinter removal to reduce infection risk 2
• Monitor for signs of infection: Redness, warmth, swelling, purulent drainage, or fever developing after removal warrant medical evaluation 2
• Avoid soaking the foot in footbaths, as prolonged water exposure induces skin maceration and increases infection risk 2

Common Pitfalls

• Attempting removal of deep or complex splinters at home can push the foreign body deeper or cause tissue damage—these require professional evaluation 1
• Delaying removal of reactive materials like wood or thorns allows inflammation and infection to develop, complicating subsequent treatment 1
• Using contaminated instruments increases infection risk—always use sterile or properly cleaned tools for removal 1