DD, 10mths., got a splinter in the top of her foot today while crawling on the deck for a minute (of course!). She didn't even know it, but now that we have started trying to get it out, it's getting sore. Half broke off and came out, but the other half is left. We're going to keep an eye on it and see if it works itself out. Any ideas on how we can help it along or should we be worried??

By Colette on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 09:52 pm:

try soaking it in warm water.

By Melanie on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 09:59 pm:

Ditto Colette. It's always easier after it has soaked. Good luck!

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 10:13 pm:

Yes, definitely wait until after she has been in the tub. A lot of times just gently pushing or scraping with your fingernail will do the trick. Although I've never tried it, I've been told putting teething gel on it will lessen the pain while you try to get it out. Good luck!

By Kaye on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 11:28 pm:

next time if you have one sticking out, use packing tape, it will usually grab it and pull it right out.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 11:44 pm:

I managed to get one out of the side of my finger, scraping a credit card along it. It was in a place that was awkward for me to reach.

By Tklinreston on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 10:22 am:

I had to remove a small slinter from the bottom of my 2 year old son just recently. None of the splinter was sticking out and was completely under the skin and the skin around it was already turning red. I waited until he was asleep (very deeply) and then using a brand new sterlized needle, I gently pricked at the skin a few times to open it up alittle and didn't attempt to squeeze it out since it might wake him up. He was completely unaware and didn't even budge. After that, the next morning, he took a long warm bath and the splinter came right out. Some tiny slivers will work itself out on its own but if you see that the skin is turning slightly red, I would definitely remove it since it could become infected. Good luck and let us know what happens.

By Reds9298 on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 04:59 pm:

It came out on it's own this morning - Yay! Quick and painless. Thanks everyone!

By My2girlygirls on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:57 pm:

If it's sticking out of the skin you can put Elmer's Glue on it and let it dry and then peel the glue and usually the splinter away with it.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 03:04 pm:

I had a splinter once, that was sticking out enough to be a bother, but too little to grab. We were in the car, on the way to go somewhere, so we didn't have access to our sliver forceps that we have at home. I finally scraped a credit card along my finger and it came out! How can something so little, hurt so bad?

By Unschoolmom on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 04:52 pm:

Even if you can't get the splinter out, just watch it for infection. Don't worry too much, they usually move toward the surface and come out on their own.