What Ointment Will Draw Out a Splinter? An Expert Guide to Drawing Salves

October 11, 2025 •

5 min read

While traditional tweezer removal is common, certain medical ointments known as 'drawing salves' have been used for centuries to help ease embedded irritants from the skin. A drawing salve containing ichthammol is a common and effective ointment that will draw out a splinter by bringing it closer to the surface for removal.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the ointments and home remedies used to draw out splinters, focusing on ichthammol and magnesium sulfate paste. It covers how they work, application methods, safety precautions, and when to seek professional medical attention.

Key Points

Ichthammol Ointment: This classic "drawing salve" contains ichthammol, which softens the skin and draws embedded foreign material like splinters to the surface.
Magnesium Sulfate Paste: An alternative drawing paste, it works through osmosis to pull fluid and irritants to the skin's surface, making splinter removal easier.
Cleanliness is Crucial: Before starting, always clean the affected area and sterilize any removal tools, such as tweezers, with rubbing alcohol to prevent infection.
Application Method: For best results, apply a thick layer of the ointment to the area, cover with a non-adhesive bandage, and allow it to work for 12 to 24 hours.
Know When to See a Doctor: If a splinter is deep, near the eye, or if you see signs of infection like pus, increased redness, or swelling, seek professional medical attention.
Consider Home Remedies: For less severe cases, a paste made from baking soda and water or an Epsom salt soak can help draw out a splinter using similar osmotic principles.

Understanding the Mechanism of Drawing Salves

Drawing salves, or ointments, work primarily through a process known as osmosis. When applied to the skin, these highly concentrated pastes draw fluid and moisture from the surrounding inflamed area. This action can help soften the skin and encourage the body's natural processes to expel a foreign object, like a splinter, to the surface. By bringing the splinter closer to the skin, the ointment makes it easier to grasp and remove with tweezers, often minimizing the need for painful digging. Some drawing salves may also contain ingredients with soothing or anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce discomfort.

The Role of Ichthammol in Drawing

One of the most well-known drawing salves contains ichthammol, a naturally derived ingredient from sulfonated shale oil. Ichthammol ointment is often called 'black ointment' due to its dark, tar-like appearance and distinctive odor. It is widely available over-the-counter in various strengths, with 10% and 20% being common. The key benefits of using an ichthammol ointment include:

Drawing Action: It helps pull embedded objects and irritants to the surface.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: It can help reduce the swelling and redness associated with the skin's reaction to a foreign body.
Soothing Relief: The salve can lessen the pain and irritation while the splinter is being brought out.

The Use of Magnesium Sulfate Paste

Magnesium sulfate paste, often referred to by its Australian brand name Magnoplasm, is another effective drawing agent. It typically combines magnesium sulfate and glycerol. The process is similar to ichthammol, where the paste creates a hypertonic environment that draws moisture from the inflamed tissue, coaxing the splinter to the surface. It is a pain-free method that can be particularly useful for splinters located in awkward or sensitive areas, such as under a fingernail.

Step-by-Step Guide to Ointment Removal

For splinters that are not easily accessible, using a drawing ointment can be a gentle and effective strategy. Follow these steps for the best results:

Clean the Area: Wash your hands and the affected skin area thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Apply the Ointment: Apply a liberal amount (about 5mm thick) of your chosen drawing salve, whether it's ichthammol or magnesium sulfate paste, directly over the splinter site.
Cover with a Bandage: Place a non-adhesive dressing or bandage over the ointment to hold it in place. Ichthammol can stain, so using a protective layer is recommended.
Wait and Monitor: Leave the bandage on for 12 to 24 hours. The splinter may become more visible or even emerge completely during this time.
Remove the Splinter: Carefully remove the bandage. The splinter may have worked its way out. If not, it should be much closer to the surface, allowing you to gently pull it out with sterilized tweezers.
Clean and Protect: After removal, wash the area again with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and cover with a clean bandage.

When to Seek Professional Medical Care

While most splinters can be handled at home, certain situations require a doctor's attention. You should seek medical care if:

The splinter is deeply embedded or large.
The object is located in a delicate area, such as the eye.
You cannot remove the splinter yourself.
You notice signs of infection, including increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or pus.
You have a fever or other systemic symptoms.
You are not up-to-date on your tetanus shots.

Comparison of Splinter-Drawing Methods


Method	Effectiveness	Ease of Use	Availability	Cost	Staining Potential
Ichthammol Ointment	High, proven for centuries to help draw out embedded materials.	Moderate. Can be messy and has a strong odor.	High. Available at most pharmacies and online.	Low to Moderate. Generally inexpensive.	High. The dark color can easily stain clothing and skin.
Magnesium Sulfate Paste	High, works by drawing moisture via osmosis to loosen the splinter.	Easy. Less messy than ichthammol, available in a paste or gel.	High. Available at pharmacies and online.	Low to Moderate. Inexpensive.	Low. Generally does not stain.
Baking Soda Paste	Moderate. The osmotic effect is less potent than medical salves.	Easy. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.	High. Ingredients are common household items.	Very Low. Uses common, inexpensive ingredients.	Very Low. Washes off easily.
Epsom Salt Soak/Paste	Moderate. Soaking in warm water with Epsom salts can help draw out splinters.	Easy. Soak affected area or sprinkle salts on a bandage.	High. Available at most pharmacies and grocery stores.	Very Low. Inexpensive.	Very Low. No staining issues.

Home Remedies for Splinters

For those who prefer a non-commercial option, several home remedies utilize similar drawing principles:

Baking Soda Paste: Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a thick paste. Apply it to the splinter, cover with a bandage, and leave it for 24 hours. The splinter should surface, making it easier to remove.
Epsom Salt: Either soak the affected area in a warm bath with Epsom salts or sprinkle the salts on the pad of a bandage and apply it over the splinter site overnight.
Vinegar Soak: Soaking the skin in white or apple cider vinegar for 10-15 minutes can cause the skin to shrink slightly, which may help push the splinter out.
Banana Peel: A piece of banana peel taped over the splinter with the inside facing the skin can help draw the splinter to the surface overnight.

Conclusion

When faced with a stubborn or deep splinter, using an ointment that will draw out a splinter can be an effective and less painful alternative to traditional digging with tweezers. Ichthammol and magnesium sulfate paste are proven over-the-counter options that work through osmosis to help the body expel the foreign object. For minor irritants, home remedies like a baking soda paste or Epsom salt soak can also be effective. Always ensure proper hygiene during removal and watch for signs of infection. If the splinter is large, deep, or shows signs of complications, consulting a healthcare professional is the safest course of action.

Important Note: For more information on wound care and first aid best practices, refer to authoritative sources like the Mayo Clinic's first aid guide on foreign objects in the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

A drawing salve works by pulling moisture and fluid towards the surface of the skin through a process called osmosis. This softens the skin around the splinter and helps the body push the foreign object closer to the surface, making it easier to remove.

Ichthammol ointment has been used for splinter removal in children, but it is important to exercise caution. Consult a healthcare provider before using it on deep puncture wounds or severe burns, and consider seeking a doctor's help if a child is uncooperative.

For best results, a drawing ointment should be applied and covered with a bandage for 12 to 24 hours. The splinter may surface within this time, making removal much easier.

An infected splinter may be accompanied by increased or throbbing pain, swelling, and redness around the area. Other signs include pus or discharge, red streaks leading away from the wound, or a fever.

For deeply embedded splinters, magnesium sulfate paste can help bring the splinter closer to the surface through osmosis. However, if the splinter is too deep to reach, it may be necessary to see a doctor for removal.

A splinter under a fingernail can be difficult to remove at home and has a high risk of infection. Using a drawing salve can be helpful, but if it doesn't work, you should see a doctor for safe removal.

Ichthammol is a dark, tar-like ointment that can stain clothing and has a distinct odor, while magnesium sulfate paste is lighter in color and less messy. Both work by drawing out irritants, but ichthammol is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.