Don’t let a splinter get out of hand — a California ER doctor is sharing his simple removal hack. Dr. Joe Whittington, who goes by Dr. Joe on TikTok, recommends getting a clean, unused ...

That brief tug was transformed into a surgical billing code: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 10120, “incision and removal of a foreign body, subcutaneous” — at a cost of $414.

Add water to about ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to make a thick paste. Spread the paste on a bandage, then apply the bandage to the splinter. After 24 hours, remove the bandage.

Again, these liquids help draw the splinter closer to the skin surface. 6. Similar to tape, a dab of nontoxic, water-soluble glue (like Elmer’s school glue) on the splinter can aid in removal.