Wound Care Question - Assistance Please-- Possible Infection?
1**TRIGGER WARNING: description of self-injury and infection, description of wound/cut*** I hope that's everything, I apologize deeply if it is not.
Hi everyone.
So last Wednesday (Exactly a week now) I relapsed and cut my leg, on my upper right thigh. I did a large number of shallow cuts, and about half way down my thigh I decided that I would only do one more.. (I'm trying to reduce the frequency of my cutting and the number of cuts I do, to sort of wean myself off and onto more healthy coping mechanisms)
Well, I cut myself pretty bad. Worse than ever before. My cut is quite wide. I can see fatty tissue and blood vessels. I knew immediately that I should go to the hospital for stitches, but couldn't commit myself to going because of a sort of phobia I have. I tried to butterfly bandage it, but because of the less serious cuts above it I was hesitant. Then when I tried, the butterfly stitches didn't hold and would un-stick.
Now it's infected, I know it. I've been cleaning it out everyday and always keeping it covered with antibiotic ointment or silvadene, but the infection seems to be getting worse. I'm getting more and thicker drainage on my band-aids when I remove them at night. No solid scab has formed, just a yellow sort of gooey paste that doesn't come off with general cleaning, but isn't hard and solid like a scab.
Basically what I'm asking, is what can I do to clear up the infection at home? I have access to any first aid supplies that is over the counter, and the general know how of wound care. How long should I wait before really getting nervous about the infection? If I go to a clinic, will they try to institutionalize me?
I live on a college campus where there is a medical clinic, but I don't know if they have to report me or something. The cut is obviously self-inflicted, because of surrounding scars around it and the location of the cut.
I know I am not in danger of harming myself right now, and I have several friends who are aware of the situation. I am currently in therapy about twice a week and seeing a psychiatrist monthly to check on medications.
Any information or tips are very welcome! Thank you everyone.
Last edited by Aardbei : 04-11-2015 at 07:16 PM.
Reason: removed size of wound - please see rules of forum
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