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Old 07-02-2010, 12:09 AM   #7
Animad
 
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK

The Intrasite gel is something you said that took my notice. It was something I thought about mentioning, or it's form that you can now buy in pharmacies as "Savlon Advanced Healing Gel" (or something to that effect). That will stop the dressing from sticking. However, the wound does have to be thouoghly cleaned before it's useage and really it depends how deep you're cutting. If it's to the fat then though it's best to get it checked out and I will stick by that (the fact that you're cutting into this and damaging the tissue as well as potentially going deeper is likely to be why you're getting so much fluid out), you could use that, if it's any deeper then you can't and really then it is imperative you do get it checked; the reason doctors wouldn't give you skin grafts in the past is that they are SO easily damaged that even a small movement of the area or a dressing not applied in the totally right way causing your skin to be put under a different kind of strain is likely to make the graft lose it's blood supply and therefore fail which opens you more likely to become infected as you basically then have dying tissue there, it also means further surgery is likely to be needed and as well as that, the surgery to perform these is long-winded, can be quite difficult and the area they take your skin from (usually the top of your thigh) will be REALLY painful after. There worry would be that if you're still self harming a lot that it is more likely the wound will not be given the chance to heal properly and then will break down. The fact that you've said you don't like healing to be fast sort of brings that to mind as though healing won't be fast with a graft, it may mean that if it worked and you saw it starting to take then you may damage it in an attempt to slow it. The also mean long hospital stays in a lot of cases. Really, if you're cutting to that depth or through the fat layer (really into it though) it DOES need to get checked out, whether your parents find out or not as one day the area will become infected and it could mean you end up losing your leg or it could be really deep and you loose feeling in your foot. And of course there's always the risk of damaging an artery or a vein. This needs to be taken into account so I think it really would be worthwhile you getting help for the emotions behind why you cut and if you are doing then be truthful to them, if it's not working then tell them that but if SH is that severe then it is a strong sign that it isn't working for you anymore to properly improve your emotions and one of these days you are going to cause yourself severe harm.

The reason I say Intrasite is that this is a gel that will stop dressings from slipping. However, like I say, it can't be used on everything. Before you use it you do have to ensure that the wound is REALLY clean and then cover the underside of a dressing with it and apply the dressing to it. This, not only helps it not stick but it does help the wound to heal really well with less scarring and quicker. The dressings should be changed daily with more intrasite used each time; if it starts looking infected STOP using the intrasite, clean the wound up and then use antiseptic cream. If using intrasite (or even Manuka Honey) you could cover a really oozy cut with a type of dressing called Allevyn. This is probably the best in the market for absorbing liquid though it would still have to be changed every day really. You could use a non-stick dressing under that if you're not wanting to use anything else. And like I say, Intrasite gel can only be use on NON-INFECTED, clean cuts. You can by bandages known as "cohesive bandages" apply this around the dressing with a layer of cotton wool (or softban which is a cotton wool like bandage material) beneath it, between the dressing and the bandage just because it itches. That will hold it in place though make sure this isn't too tight; you've got to be able to fit two fingers under it the whole time. If that doesn't hold it completely then you could maybe buy one of the long lengths of "fabric plaster" that come in a roll. This does have a pad in the centre but is sticky on either side of it or even similar tape that will be marketed as "Sports Support" or "Fabric sports strapping" which is just like these but without the dressing pad in the centre. These will stick to your skin though you shouldn't need to use it with a couple of layers of cohesive bandage over the dressing. This sort of bandage sticks to itself, not to your skin, and is reusable but slips less often than most and as it sticks to itself well you may be able to bandage it in a way where it is less likely to slip.

Really though, I would urge you to seek hospital attention for your wounds. That can either be at A&E or a Minor Injuries Unit; some walk-in centres may also deal with it and they can assess it, suture it if necessary. If it's really deep then A&E may be your best bet as it may mean you need sutures internal and in the skin as well as the skin 'loosened' from it's attachments underneath and maybe special suture patterns to enable it to close properly. If you can get to A&E/ an MIU without your parents taking you then it would be a good idea going whatever if your wound is deep (which refers to it going into fat/ deeper), you don't necessarily have to tell them where you're going but even if they were to know I'm sure they'd prefer that than you having further problems in the future like you are now, which would have damaged the healing of the wound, or worse than you not, however angry or whatever they may seem at the time.

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