Can you leave a splinter in

Then, wash the area with soap and warm water once more. You can also dab it with an alcohol pad, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide if you wish. If the opening left by the splinter is noticeable, it's a good idea to cover it with a bandage to prevent infection. See a doctor if: The splinter seems to be too deep. The wound is bleeding a lot. You can't remove the splinter. The area seems infected red, puffy, warm to the touch, not healing, or containing pus.

Can Splinters Be Prevented? Not all splinters can be prevented. But you can help protect yourself with these steps: Wear shoes. It makes sense to wear sandals or flip-flops instead of barefooting it over a rough wood boardwalk or deck. But it's also a good idea to wear water shoes to protect your feet when diving off a dock or wading in water.

Of course wood's not the only thing that splinters. If you let too much time pass, skin can grow over the splinter, also making it tougher to remove. Splinters that are not removed can start hurting more and can get infected. If possible, know your splinter. Some splinters are little pieces of wood. Others are made of metal or glass. A tiny thorn or a cactus spike also can get stuck in your skin. If you get a splinter, take note of what it came from or where it happened.

Knowing what kind of splinter it is can help the person who's trying to remove it for you. Remain calm while a grown-up removes the splinter. Splinter removal might seem a little scary because sometimes an adult will use a clean needle to help expose the splinter. A needle? Uh-oh, you say. But, the clean needle is used only to gently scratch the skin a little so the splinter is easier to grab with a pair of tweezers.

When it's out, you'll feel so much better. You can apply ice wrapped in a thin cloth to the area for 2 minutes before to attempting this. This will gently numb the area and make the removal less painful. It will also make the removal easier since your child will be more likely to remain still. If the splinter is deeply imbedded or you are unable to remove it after 1 or 2 tries, call your child's healthcare provider.

Watch the area for signs of infection.