How to Remove a Splinter with Baking Soda

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: July 11, 2024 Approved

Splinters can sometimes be removed with baking soda and a bandaid. You will have to clean and dry the area and then apply baking soda to the splinter. Place a bandaid over the splinter and then remove it after a few hours. The splinter should come out. Make sure to use antibiotic ointment to prevent an infection and see a doctor if a splinter becomes infected. A splinter may put you at risk of a tetanus infection. Make sure your Tdap immunization is up to date.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Immunization Action Coalition
Nonprofit organization focused on promoting the use of vaccines by distributing information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.

Go to source}

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning and Inspecting the Area

Download Article

When cleaning or examining the area surrounding the splinter, you may be tempted to squeeze the surrounding skin to get a better look. This can cause the splinter to break into smaller fragments or become stuck deeper in the skin. Never squeeze the splinter or surrounding skin while removing the splinter.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}
Use a magnifying glass if need be. See how big the splinter is and see the angle it's going into the skin. This can help you avoid pressing the splinter deeper into the skin when applying your paste and bandaid. Make sure not to press on the splinter in the direction it's angled into your skin.

Advertisement
3
Clean and dry the area. You want to make sure to avoid an infection when dealing with a splinter. Before you attempt to remove the splinter, clean the skin around the where the splinter is stuck. Wash your skin with soap and water and then gently pat the area dry with a paper towel.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}
- Make sure to wash your hands before washing the skin around your splinter.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Removing the Splinter

Download Article

In a small cup or other container, add a generous amount of baking soda. Then, add in water in small increments and mix until you form a thick paste. There is no precise ratio of baking soda to water. You just need to add enough that you end up with a spreadable paste.^{[4]
X
Research source}
2
Apply your paste to the splinter. Use your fingers or a paper towel to gently dab the paste over your splinter. Add a light layer of paste to the splinter and the surrounding skin.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Be careful not to push the splinter in deeper when applying the paste. Remember the angle in which it's driven into the skin and be gentle when applying baking soda at this angle.
Place a Band-Aid over the paste. Make sure to cover the splinter completely with the cotton portion of the Band-Aid. The type of Band-Aid does not matter as long as it fits over the splinter.^{[6]
X
Research source}
4
Remove the Band-Aid after a few hours. Wait anywhere from an hour to a day to remove the Band-Aid. Splinters that are stuck in deep will generally require more time. When you remove the bandaid, the splinter should come out easily.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If the splinter does not come out by itself as you pull off the band aid, try gently squeezing it with tweezers (sterilize tweezers with alcohol before using).
- If the splinter does not come out the first time, or is still very deep, try repeating the process and leaving the bandaid on longer, up to 24 hours.
- Rinse the area with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment after the splinter comes out.
- You may also cover the area with a bandaid after the splinter has been removed to help with the healing process.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking Safety Precautions

Download Article

1
Apply an antibiotic ointment to the area. It is a good idea to apply antibiotic ointment after removing the splinter. This will help prevent an infection. You can get an antibacterial ointment at any drug store. Apply the ointment as directed.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- For example, use a cream from a drug store like Neosporin to cover the wound.^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- If you're on existing medication, check with a pharmacist before selecting your ointment. You want to make sure the ointment you choose will not interfere with your current medication.
Sometimes, your skin will bleed after you remove a splinter. Press firmly around the area where the splinter was. This will bring the skin together to patch up the wound and stop bleeding. You may also need to apply a bandaid.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
If a splinter will not come out and is causing heavy bleeding, you may need medical attention. You also may need medical attention for a splinter that's underneath a fingernail or toenail. If you are not up to date on your vaccinations, you should see a doctor if you get a splinter to make sure you don't need something like a tetanus shot to prevent infection.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Will it work with a thorn?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

A thorn is like a splinter but perhaps bigger, so it should work for extracting a thorn.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 44
Question

Can I remove a splinter with baking soda if I'm diabetic?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

You should be fine using baking soda for splinter removal. Make sure to clean the skin and apply antibiotic ointment and a bandaid after removing the splinter. Since you are diabetic, you might be more at risk for delayed healing and therefore infection. Monitor the area for signs of infections such as increased redness, swelling and tenderness.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 36

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

For a very deep splinter, you may have to use this method twice.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If the baking soda paste sneaks out from under the bandaid, use a medical sticky wrap to stop it from coming out any further.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Have the person with the splinter lay down in a comfortable position and relax as much as possible. You may want to bring in family members so the person doesn't feel alone during the process. Distracting them can help minimize discomfort.
Keep the area very clean while attempting splinter removal. Gently wash with soap and water. You can also try gently digging under the splinter with a cleaned fingernail to help dislodge and bring it closer to the surface.
Before attempting to remove a splinter from someone else, especially a child, try the baking soda method on your own splinter first. This allows you to perfect your technique and cause less pain to the other person.
If the splinter is in your foot or somewhere that will be irritated by walking or movement, try to rest that area as much as possible. You can soak the foot in warm water, which may help draw out the splinter.
Be patient in removing splinters. If the baking soda method doesn't work the first time, try repeating it and leaving the bandaid on for a full 24 hours. Getting splinters out can take persistence.
If the baking soda paste burns or stings, place an ice pack on the area for 5-10 minutes before applying the paste. The cold numbs the skin a bit and prevents irritation from the baking soda.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!