For God’s sake, why does a tiny or nearly invisible speck of splinter hurt like hell?
Splinters can hurt so bad that they seem to take the life out of you. The pain is even worse when you have to pull out the little bugger from your skin.
Splinters can be the tiny fragments of wood, metal, glass, plant thorns, animal bone, etc. 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 the fragment is embedded in your skin or muscle tissue for an extended period, there might be an infection on the skin area. 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. Guess what you do not need medical assistance to perform the treatment.
Using essential oils for splinters removal can be a safe and painless experience for drawing out splinters without causing a wound. Moreover, essential oils are great home remedies when it comes to treating an infection caused by splinters. [1]
In this article, you’ll learn how to use some of the best essential oils for drawing out splinters from your skin.
Related: 12 Home Remedies for Poison Ivy and Oak (Research-Backed)
Why Use Essential Oils?
Essential oils are essences of various plants with therapeutic properties. These aromatic oils originate from the leaves, bark, stem, root, flowers, seeds, and other parts of a plant or herb through steam distillation or cold pressing process. [3]
People have been using essential oils from ancient time as home remedies for various illnesses. These herbal oils are a potent source of therapeutic properties such as astringent, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant, etc. [3]
The high astringent values of some of the essential oils can 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 quickly.
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, bruises, splinters, etc. [4] [5]
The anti-inflammatory properties of the oils can reduce the redness, swelling, and tenderness of skin caused by fragments. [4]
Essential oils are great antibacterial and antiseptic agents. In the case of a developing infection on the splinter affected area, 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
It’s fascinating to hear that when the archeologists opened the tomb (some 3000 years old) of King Tutankhamen in 1923, a mild 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 high therapeutic values and heavenly aroma. The oil originates from the flower tops of lavender blossoms. [6]
Lavender oil is beneficial for drawing out splinters quickly. It is an authoritative source of antioxidants, astringents, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. Moreover, lavender oil is the gentlest essential oils to be used topically for any skin disorders. [6]
Related: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
2. Thieves Essential Oil
Thieves oil is a potent blend of five essential oils; Cinnamon, Lemon, Clove, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary oils.
The oil blend originated in medieval Europe in the time of spice trades and black plague. [7] Recent research by the Weber State University in Utah 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 has therapeutic effects in healing infections, skin problems, respiratory disorders, and stress management. [9]
Related: 15+ Fascinating Uses & Benefits of Thieves Oil + Directions
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 herbal oil can reduce the pain, swelling, redness, and infection associated with splinters. [10]
Related: 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.
Over 350 scientific researchers on tea tree oil have confirmed its potent antibacterial effects in treating skin infections, wounds, cuts, bruises, swellings, and pains, etc.
The high amount of astringent and antiseptic values of the oil makes 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]
Related: Tea Tree Oil for Skin Tags: 8 Natural Remedies to Try Now!
How to Use Essential Oils
A topical application of the essential oils discussed above can soften and numb the splinter affected skin area and help you draw out the splinters overnight.
What You’ll Need:
- 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil
- ½ teaspoon of carrier oil such as coconut, olive oil, etc.
- 1 fresh band-aid
- 1 pair of tweezers
Recommended Directions:
- Wash the splinter affected skin area with mildly 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 the splinter is deeply embedded in the muscle tissue.
Note: in case you are choosing tea tree or clove essential oils, then dilute it with a carrier oil.
Bottom Line
Splinters can be a nuisance and cause you lots of pain and discomfort. However, using these essential oils, you can quickly draw them out without any pain or risk of skin infections.
These medicinal oils work like a magnet in pulling out even the deeply embedded foreign objects or splinters inside your skin tissues.
Write us your feedback, experiences, and queries regarding this topic in the comment section.
