Sliver Removal After Care Instructions

A sliver—also called a splinter—is a small and thin broken piece of an object that gets stuck (embedded) under your skin. A sliver can create a deep wound that can easily become infected. It is important to care for the wound after a sliver is removed to help prevent infection and other problems from developing.

Slivers often break into smaller pieces when they are removed. If pieces of your sliver broke off and stayed in your skin, in time you will see them working themselves out. You also may feel some pain at the wound site. This is normal.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After a sliver has been removed, it is common to have:

• Some pain at the wound site. This is especially common if pieces of the sliver remained in your skin and will come out on their own.

Follow these instructions at home:

Wound care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
  • Warmth.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider says it is okay to do so.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take or apply it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• If directed, put ice on the painful area.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You think that a piece of the sliver is still in your skin.
• You have signs of infection, including:
  • New or worsening redness around the wound.
  • New or worsening tenderness around the wound.
  • Fluid, blood, or pus coming from the wound.
  • A bad smell coming from the wound or dressing.
• You received a tetanus shot and you have swelling, severe pain, redness, or bleeding at the injection site.

Get help right away if you have:

• Red streaks coming from the wound.
• An unexplained fever.

Summary

• A sliver—also called a splinter—is a small and thin broken piece of an object that gets stuck (embedded) under your skin.
• It is important to care for the wound after a sliver is removed to help prevent infection and other problems from developing.
• Be sure to contact your health care provider if fluid, blood, or pus is coming from the wound.