Worst Materials for Splinters

This is relatively common when walking or swimming in shallow water areas where sea urchins are present. It is generally very painful and irritating if it embeds in your skin. There's a high chance of infection if not removed. Multiple stings and spines are considered very harmful, potentially leading to long-term complications and can be lethal if not properly treated. Tweezers and antibiotics are recommended to effectively treat sea urchin spines. Seek medical care if the condition worsens over time.

Glass splinters are sometimes harder to see than wood or other splinters, making them difficult to remove. If contaminated with dirt, feces, or chemicals, they can be harmful and infectious. In most cases, these splinters, along with other types, are removed with tweezers, rubbing alcohol, pressing, or other methods. In some cases, medical attention is required.

Cactus thorns are experienced in the desert or other locations where cacti are present. They can be a painful nuisance and are tricky to remove. Tweezers are usually the most effective method for cactus thorn removal, depending on the position of the thorn.

Hair slivers are uncommon types of splinters and are more common in the barber workforce. Compared to wood, hair strands are generally thinner and harder to remove with fingernails or tweezers. A single hair strand can cause significant damage, leading to infection and painful sensations as it moves through the skin. In most cases, hair is either removed naturally over a few days or weeks, or immediately through painful methods like tweezers, needles, or surgery in severe cases.

Wood splinters are the most common type of splinter. They're known to cause the most infections but can frequently be removed with tweezers and fingernails. However, they can be difficult to remove if embedded deeply in the skin. Left alone, wood splinters are usually nuisances that cause painful sensations.

Metal splinters are usually sharp and extremely painful. They can be harmful if they cause infection or contain chemicals. Some removal methods can worsen the situation. The best practice is to use tweezers or seek medical attention.

Getting a small, sharp rock embedded in your skin is rare but can be extremely painful if it's deeply embedded. This is more common if walking barefoot in rocky or gravel areas. Use tweezers or press around the area for removal.

Porcupine quills are common in dogs and can be painful and irritating to remove in large quantities. It's generally advised to see a veterinarian if your pet is covered with quills and to avoid removing them yourself. In humans, quills can be hard to remove and can cause infection if embedded for a prolonged period, especially if the quills contain bacteria.

Pencil leads are mostly harmless but can be painful in some cases. There's a minimal to significant chance of infection. Ever gotten a pencil lead stuck in your skin and thought it contained toxic lead? Despite the name, modern pencil leads contain graphite rather than lead. In comparison to lead, graphite is much less toxic and won't harm you unless high concentrations are injected into the body. Pencil leads can also remain in the body for years or even decades without removal.

Plastic splinters are generally common, though less so compared to wood. They occasionally go unnoticed but can be painful. Plastic splinters can often be removed using common removal methods.