Bathtub filled for a warm epsom salt bath
7. Splinter soak
A strong warm Epsom salt solution is a traditional trick many people use before tweezing a splinter. The
soak softens the surrounding skin and may help the splinter edge work closer to the surface, which can make removal easier and less of a wrestling match.
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 1 cup of warm water and soak the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. Dry it well, then try sterilized tweezers if the splinter is visible and easy to grasp. If it’s deep, very painful, or shows signs of infection, skip the home experiment and let a clinician handle it.
Small bowl of warm epsom
salt solution with tweezers nearby
Small bowl of warm epsom salt solution with tweezers nearby
8. Sunburn compress
For mild sunburn, a cool compress made with a weak Epsom salt solution may feel soothing. Here, the real relief comes mostly from the cool temperature and moisture, while the diluted salt water can be refreshing as long as the skin isn’t broken or severely irritated.
Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt into 1 cup of cool water, dip in a soft cloth, wring it out, and lay it over the area
for 10 minutes at a time. Re-wet as needed. Avoid this on blistered or broken skin, and seek medical advice promptly for severe burns, fever, or dizziness.
Bowl of cool epsom salt solution with folded cloth for a compress
Bowl of cool epsom salt solution with folded cloth for a compress
9. Gentle face exfoliant
