Sterilize the tweezers with rubbing alcohol to ensure they are clean. Put rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and rub it over the tweezers or soak the tweezers in rubbing alcohol before you use them. If you do not have rubbing alcohol, then you can also immerse the tweezers in boiling water for a few minutes. Carefully retrieve the tweezers from the boiling water with a pair of metal tongs and allow them to cool before touching them with your bare hands. If you do not have access to rubbing alcohol or boiling water, you can use some antibacterial soap and water to clean the tweezers.
You can also use soap and water if you do not have access to rubbing alcohol. Make sure you clean the area well. You do not need to soak the area with water. Simply clean it well.
Look at how deep the pin or tack is in your skin. If you can see the large end of the pin or tack just under the surface of your skin, you should be able to remove it with the tweezers. If the pin or tack appears to be deeply embedded in your skin, you may need to go to your doctor for medical care. Visit your local physician or walk in clinic. If you cannot see the end of the pin or tack under your skin, it may be too deep for you to remove on your own and the medical professionals who treat you may even need to use an imaging device to find it.
Look at the angle of the pin or tack in your skin. It may be at a straight angle or angled to one side. You should grasp and pull the pin or tack out as the same angle as it went in.
If there is a lot of blood coming out of the wound, you may want to consider seeking medical treatment. The pin or tack may have been deeper in your skin than it appeared. Certain conditions may also put you at a higher risk for bleeding and infection. For example, if you are taking an anticoagulation medication, then you may need to see a doctor right away if the bleeding does not stop. You may also need to see a doctor right away if you have a condition that causes low platelets, also known as thrombocytopenia, or if you are immune compromised due to chemotherapy.
The doctor may then examine and assess the wound. They may remove the pin or tack themselves and then do an x-ray to make sure no part of the pin or tack is still stuck under your skin. [3] X Research source The doctor may also ask you if you have had a tetanus shot in the last several years as well as where you were when you were injured and how the injury occurred.
Depending on the severity of the infection, your doctor may recommend antibiotics or a medicated cream you can apply on the wound. Keep in mind that once an injury occurs the tissue is damaged and it will take time for it to heal. Generally, you should see some considerable improvement within two days to one week.
