1 Sterilize tweezers
3Clean wound
2Pull out splinter
4 Dress embedded splinter
34 FIRST AID
Splinters
It is very common to find small splinters of wood embedded in the skin of hands, knees, and feet, especially those of children. It is usually possible to remove splinters by hand or using tweezers, having made sure that the wound has first been cleaned and the tweezers sterilized. If splinters remain embedded or lie over a joint, seek medical help.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Fine piece of wood sticking out of skin
• Dark line under skin surface
• Blood oozing from puncture in skin
TREATING SPLINTERS
1 Sterilize tweezers
• Using soap and warm water, clean the affected area thoroughly.
• Sterilize a pair of tweezers by heating them in a flame.
3Clean wound
• Squeeze the area around the wound to make it bleed. This helps to flush out any remaining dirt.
• Clean the affected area and cover it with an adhesive bandage.
• Check that the victim’ s tetanus immunization is up to date.
2Pull out splinter
• Grip the splinter with the tweezers, then pull it out in a straight line in the opposite direction to which it entered.
• Try not to break the splinter.
Grasp splinter and pull it straight out
Sterilize tweezers in a flame
4 Dress embedded splinter
• If the splinter breaks, or will not come out, place pads on either side, and a bandage over it, taking care not to press down on the splinter.
• Seek medical help.
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Squeeze area to encourage a little bleeding
Important
• Do not attempt to use a needle to lever out the splinter.
• Use disposable gloves and / or wash your hands well when dealing with body fluids.