You may have gotten splinters at some point in your lives, most commonly in the hands or feet. Fortunately, splinters that are superficial and small can actually be removed at home.

See the video below by the American Academy of Dermatology on how to remove the splinter yourself at home:

If you are not confident in following the steps in the video, please see your doctor who should be able to assist you.

Here are some other scenarios where it is best to see your doctor immediately instead of attempting self-removal:

• Large and deep splinters
• Bleeding
• Splinter near your eyes or on your face

If you managed to successfully remove the splinter, you should still look out for signs of infection in the next few days. Please see a doctor if you have the following:

• Increasing redness
• Increasing swelling
• Increasing pain
• Pus discharge
• Fever

Prevention is better than cure. How to prevent getting splinters:

• Wear shoes or slippers when you are outdoors
• Wear shoes or slippers when you are clearing up broken glass or debris at home
• Refrain from rubbing hands along rough surfaces
• Wear gloves if you need to work on rough surfaces