(HealthDay News) — When a thin piece of wood, glass or metal gets embedded within the top layers of your skin, you know how annoying and painful a splinter can be.

The U.S. Library of Medicine suggests how to remove a splinter safely:

• Sterilize a pin or needle by soaking it in rubbing alcohol or by placing the tip in a flame.
• Wash your hands with soap.
• Use the pin or needle to gently remove skin over the splinter.
• Then use the tip of the pin to lift the end of the splinter out.
• You may need to use tweezers to pull out the splinter after you lift it.

Copyright © 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.