Wash your hands with soap and water.
Clean the area around the thorn with soap and water.
Soak the area in warm water for 10–20 minutes if the thorn is near the surface.
Use clean tweezers to grasp the thorn close to the skin.
Pull the thorn out in the same direction it entered.
If the thorn is embedded and you can’t grab it with tweezers, stop.
If a small sliver is visible at the surface, you may use a sterilized needle to lift it slightly, then use tweezers to remove it.
Sterilize a needle with rubbing alcohol or by heating until the metal glows, then let it cool completely.
After removal, rinse the area with clean water.
Wash the area with soap and water again.
Apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly.
Cover with a clean bandage if needed.
Seek medical care if any part of the thorn remains, if it’s deeply embedded, or if you can’t remove it.
Seek medical care if the thorn is from an animal bite, rusted metal, or contaminated material.
Seek medical care if redness, swelling, warmth, worsening pain, pus, red streaks, fever, or numbness develops.
Get urgent care if the thorn is in/near the eye, or if removal is difficult or the person is unable to use the hand/foot normally.
Keep the area elevated if it’s swollen.