[SheHulk07]

What do you do after SHing if you cut? Do you leave it be, bandage it up or do you go in somewhere? I usually try to take care of them on my own but when I do feel ones, I try to go to the Dr so they can determine if it needs stitches or glue. However I feel like they think I'm wasting their time or worried that they'll put me on a M1 hold...and yes, that's happened before to me just for how severe the SH is. I feel like I'm out of options of who to turn to if I need someone just for the SH.

[LabRat27]

If you need stitches/glue you need to go iin within 12 hours usually.
If it's within my skillset to handle it myself then I do. I'm usually pretty careful about my first aid. Steri strips if necessary, Neosporin, nonstick gauze pad, medical tape.
TW for more specific descriptions of severe SH

Possible trigger:

I use steri strips myself if it's pretty far into the dermis. I try to strategically plan the locations of deeper cuts so I'll be able to steri strip them without pulling other ones open.
I get stitches if I cut into the fat, especially if it's more than just barely nicking that layer. I used to do them myself as long as it wasn't deep enough to require thicker thread or internal sutures, but I don't recommend that, especially if you don't have training/experience, and I got rid of the tools a while back so now I'd have to go to the ER for any sutures.
It'll depend on the state, the hospital, and the doc, but I only got put on the psych ward once for non suicidal self injury, and it was the first time I went in and they were pretty freaked out by the severity. After that I usually got a psych eval and was then let go because they could see that putting me on the psych ward hasn't helped. There were a few times they insisted on keeping me in the ER for a while longer when things were really bad, but didn't admit me to the psych ward.
The most important thing is keeping them clean. Disinfect your skin beforehand, put a bandage on immediately after. As long as you're not cutting near joints and you're staying away from hands, feet, and areas with tendons/ligaments close to the surface, stitches or glue are usually used so that it will heal more quickly and so that you'll have a smaller scar. I'd never discourage anyone from seeking medical attention, and if it does go into the fat then it does become more important to get medical attention.

Lastly I just wanted to pass along something they said to me one of the times I was in the ER. They always asked me to come in before I hurt myself rather than after and I brushed them off because that seemed like I'd be wasting their time. One time someone, I think it might have been the psychiatrist but I don't remember, said that they'd rather I came in before instead of after, that way they could feel like they were actually able to do something and help me rather than just repair the damage after.

[Marilyn2016]

By Mayo Clinic Staff

These guidelines can help you care for minor cuts and scrapes:

Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection.

Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If needed, apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth and elevate the wound until bleeding stops.

Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with water. Keeping the wound under running tap water will reduce the risk of infection. Wash around the wound with soap. But don't get soap in the wound. And don't use hydrogen peroxide or iodine, which can be irritating.

Remove any dirt or debris with a tweezers cleaned with alcohol. See a doctor if you can't remove all debris.

Apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to keep the surface moist and help prevent scarring. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.

Cover the wound. Apply a bandage, rolled gauze or gauze held in place with paper tape.
Covering the wound keeps it clean. If the injury is just a minor scrape or scratch, leave it uncovered.

Change the dressing. Do this at least once a day or whenever the bandage becomes wet or dirty.

Get a tetanus shot. Get a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the past five years and the wound is deep or dirty.

Watch for signs of infection. See a doctor if you see signs of infection on the skin or near the wound, such as redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.

Cuts and scrapes: First aid - Mayo Clinic

I hope this helps.
I know in the USA, they often send you straight to treatment if you self harm. I don't always believe this is necessary if the lacerations are superficial. Treatment is a good option, but only if you are ready, otherwise it won't work. So, I hope some basic first aid tips help.

Love,

Marilyn

[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by Marilyn2016

By Mayo Clinic Staff

These guidelines can help you care for minor cuts and scrapes:

Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection.

Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If needed, apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth and elevate the wound until bleeding stops.

Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with water. Keeping the wound under running tap water will reduce the risk of infection. Wash around the wound with soap. But don't get soap in the wound. And don't use hydrogen peroxide or iodine, which can be irritating.

Remove any dirt or debris with a tweezers cleaned with alcohol. See a doctor if you can't remove all debris.

Apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to keep the surface moist and help prevent scarring. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.

Cover the wound. Apply a bandage, rolled gauze or gauze held in place with paper tape.
Covering the wound keeps it clean. If the injury is just a minor scrape or scratch, leave it uncovered.

Change the dressing. Do this at least once a day or whenever the bandage becomes wet or dirty.

Get a tetanus shot. Get a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the past five years and the wound is deep or dirty.

Watch for signs of infection. See a doctor if you see signs of infection on the skin or near the wound, such as redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.

Cuts and scrapes: First aid - Mayo Clinic

I hope this helps.
I know in the USA, they often send you straight to treatment if you self harm. I don't always believe this is necessary if the lacerations are superficial. Treatment is a good option, but only if you are ready, otherwise it won't work. So, I hope some basic first aid tips help.

Love,

Marilyn

Thank you. I know the basics of first aid and do all that. My concern is when it's too deep for first aid and I have no choice but to get medical attention. I should have been more clear.

[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by LabRat27

If you need stitches/glue you need to go iin within 12 hours usually.
If it's within my skillset to handle it myself then I do. I'm usually pretty careful about my first aid. Steri strips if necessary, Neosporin, nonstick gauze pad, medical tape.
TW for more specific descriptions of severe SH

Possible trigger:

I use steri strips myself if it's pretty far into the dermis. I try to strategically plan the locations of deeper cuts so I'll be able to steri strip them without pulling other ones open.
I get stitches if I cut into the fat, especially if it's more than just barely nicking that layer. I used to do them myself as long as it wasn't deep enough to require thicker thread or internal sutures, but I don't recommend that, especially if you don't have training/experience, and I got rid of the tools a while back so now I'd have to go to the ER for any sutures.
It'll depend on the state, the hospital, and the doc, but I only got put on the psych ward once for non suicidal self injury, and it was the first time I went in and they were pretty freaked out by the severity. After that I usually got a psych eval and was then let go because they could see that putting me on the psych ward hasn't helped. There were a few times they insisted on keeping me in the ER for a while longer when things were really bad, but didn't admit me to the psych ward.
The most important thing is keeping them clean. Disinfect your skin beforehand, put a bandage on immediately after. As long as you're not cutting near joints and you're staying away from hands, feet, and areas with tendons/ligaments close to the surface, stitches or glue are usually used so that it will heal more quickly and so that you'll have a smaller scar. I'd never discourage anyone from seeking medical attention, and if it does go into the fat then it does become more important to get medical attention.

Lastly I just wanted to pass along something they said to me one of the times I was in the ER. They always asked me to come in before I hurt myself rather than after and I brushed them off because that seemed like I'd be wasting their time. One time someone, I think it might have been the psychiatrist but I don't remember, said that they'd rather I came in before instead of after, that way they could feel like they were actually able to do something and help me rather than just repair the damage after.

Thank you for replying.

Possible trigger:

My concern is definitely for the deeper ones that bandaging them up won't do anything or the ones that won't stop bleeding.

I went in on Friday for SH and the doctor's bedside manner left me feeling like I was wasting their time. I've had a few good experiences with doctor's but more often it's been negative.

[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by SheHulk07

What do you do after SHing if you cut? Do you leave it be, bandage it up or do you go in somewhere? I usually try to take care of them on my own but when I do feel ones, I try to go to the Dr so they can determine if it needs stitches or glue. However I feel like they think I'm wasting their time or worried that they'll put me on a M1 hold...and yes, that's happened before to me just for how severe the SH is. I feel like I'm out of options of who to turn to if I need someone just for the SH.

I can't seem to edit this but I meant Deep ones not feel ones.

[Marilyn2016]

Originally Posted by SheHulk07

Thank you. I know the basics of first aid and do all that. My concern is when it's too deep for first aid and I have no choice but to get medical attention. I should have been more clear.

Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't know you knew first aid. If that's the case, you should already know when a wound is deep enough to seek medical attention. Also, you know the risks that involves, and that they can section/force you to get help often times. I hate to say it bluntly, but if you're going to risk your life with cutting deeply, which is what is at stake (even though we all think we have it completely under control), then people are going to keep passing judgement on you. I wouldn't give a crap about bedside manners, I would just be concerned with whether they save my life or not. Cutting isn't a hobby, and it can be deadly, so if you're going to play with your mortality, be prepared for some very harsh responses. People don't have to be nice to you, simply because you tear up your own flesh. People don't have to feel bad for your either, because to most people cutting looks like the embodiment of pure insanity. If you're cool with all of this, and continue to cut deeply, then may the force be with you. If not, please try to get some professional help soon...and take advantage of it, because your efforts to care for yourself will be the only thing that saves you, nobody else will do it. Emergency Care, or stitches, or glue, or bandages are only temporary, and we all have to go deeper on a mental level to slay the cutting beast...again only if you want to.

Love,

Marilyn