Splinters can be the tiny fragments of wood, metal, glass, plant thorns, or animal bone. You may get them on your hands and feet while handling some object or walking bare feet outdoor. [1]
A splinter penetrates your skin by ripping off your flesh. Hence you experience the acute initial pain.
If you have the fragment embedded in your skin tissue for an extended period, there might be an infection. Over time the skin area may become red, swollen and tender. [2]
Thus, it is crucial that you yank out a splinter from the skin at the earliest.
Using essential oils for splinters removal can be a safe and painless experience. You can draw out splinters without causing a wound. Moreover, essential oils are great home remedies when it comes to treating an infection caused by splinters. [1]
Why Use Essential Oils?
Essential oils are essences of various plants with therapeutic properties. These oils originate from different parts of a plant or herb. You can extract the oil through steam distillation or cold pressing process. [3]
People have been using essential oils from ancient time as home remedies. These herbal oils are a potent source of therapeutic properties. These include astringent, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant, etc. [3]
Some essential oils have high astringent values. These help the oil to dry out the sebum or oily substance from your skin and shrink the splinter affected surface. Thus the oils can pull or draw the tiny splinters to the surface and help you pop them out.
The aromatic oils are rich in analgesic or pain relieving qualities. A topical application of the oils can calm the pain, discomfort, and irritations caused by minor cuts, or splinters. [4] [5]
The anti-inflammatory properties of the oils can reduce the redness, swelling, and tenderness of skin. [4]
Essential oils are great antibacterial and antiseptic agents. The oils can disinfect and draw out the pus along with the splinters. [5]
Thus the oils aids in healing the infection at the earliest. This is the most important of all the assistance that essential oils provide you with, in managing splinters.
Top 4 Best Essential Oils
1. Lavender Essential Oil
When the archeologists opened the tomb of King Tutankhamen in 1923, a scent of lavender wafted in the air. The ancient Egyptians used the aromatic oil for mummification and fragrance.
Lavender oil is still famous all over the world because of its usefulness and heavenly aroma. The oil originates from the flower tops of lavender blossoms. [6]
Lavender oil is beneficial for drawing out splinters. It is an authoritative source of antioxidants, astringents, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties.
Moreover, lavender oil is the gentlest essential oils for topical use. [6]
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2. Thieves Essential Oil
Thieves oil is a potent blend of five essential oils. These are Cinnamon, Lemon, Clove, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary oils.
The oil blend originated in medieval Europe in the time of spice trades and black plague. [7] A recent research proves the 99% germ-killing prowess of thieves blend. [8]
Thieves oil is a popular home remedy for relieving pain and drawing out splinters from the skin bed. Moreover, the oil can treat infections, skin problems, respiratory disorders, and stress management. [9]
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3. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense is a sacred ingredient in different religious traditions and rituals. Frankincense oil or olibanum comes from the frankincense resin of Boswellia sacra tree.
Frankincense oil is prevalent in aromatherapy for a long list of therapeutic benefits.
The oil can reduce the pain, swelling, redness, and infection associated with splinters. [10]
READ MORE: 12 Health Benefits and Uses of Frankincense Oil to Know About
4. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is perhaps the most potent essential oil in the world as a remedy for a host of skin disorders.
The therapeutic oil originates from the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia plant. The oil has a long tradition of healing in among Australian Aborigines since the last 1000 years.
The oil has antibacterial effects in treating skin infections, wounds, cuts, bruises, and pains.
Tea tree oil has a high amount of astringent and antiseptic values. These properties make it a perfect solution for infection or wound caused by splinters.
A little amount of tea tree oil in undiluted form is safe to be used topically for splinters removal. [11]
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How to Use Essential Oils
A topical application of the essential oils can soften and numb the splinter affected skin area. These oils help you draw out the splinters overnight.
You will need 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil, ½ tsp of any carrier oil, 1 fresh band-aid, and 1 pair of tweezers.
Wash the splinter affected skin area with warm water and dry it off using a soft towel. Now pour your preferred essential oil onto a band-aid. Stick the oil-soaked band-aid on the splinter affected skin area.
Leave the oil to work on the inflammation and draw out the splinter to the surface of the skin. After 2-3 hours remove the band-aid.
Now, use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to pull off the splinter. You may repeat the treatment thrice daily if you find the splinter embedded in the muscle tissue.
Note: in case you are choosing tea tree or clove essential oils, then dilute it with a carrier oil.
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When to See a Doctor
It’s important to remove a splinter as soon as possible to avoid further problems. Essential oils are a better option for this. But if you fail to remove the splinters, you must seek for medical attention.
Besides, if there’s any kind of infections due to the splinters, you must see a doctor right away.
Conclusion
Splinters can be a nuisance and cause you lots of pain and discomfort.
But, using these essential oils, you can draw them out without any pain or risk of skin infections.
These medicinal oils work like a magnet in pulling out splinters from your skin tissues.
Write us your feedback, experiences, and queries about this topic in the comment section.
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