Wound Care Question - when too far *might trigger selfharm graphic*
erm was harming about two hours ago but got a bit carriied away, have about 15 deep cuts that are open, steri stripes arent holding them closed :S dunno what to do they ant bleeding anymore yet are stll open. i didnt know whta to do so have wrapped a bandage round to stop things getting in them, dont really wana go docs any advice? bethy x
In forgiving others, we are not exonerating them. They may not deserve exoneration. Rather, in forgiving others we are giving up our anger over the fact that what happened is not what "should" have happened or that our life is not the way it "should" have been.
rinse the wounds under clean warm water and pat dry with a sterile dressing/gauze/clean towel or if not clean kitchen roll - not toilet paper as the fibres can get in the wounds and cause infection. if you have savlon or antiseptic spray use that then cover with a clean preferably sterile dressing and tape down or bandage. dont get it wet while its healing and if you get the dressing dirty change it. hope that helps
GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE
THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN
AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
An afterthought - if steri strips arent holding the wounds closed they must be quite deep and therefore at higher risk of infection so stitches is the best thing for them
GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE
THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN
AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
It is always best if cuts are deep enough to need stitches (ie gaping 1+cm or gaping at all and at a joint, down to fat (which looks yellow and bubbly) or bleeding for longer than 10mins under pressure) to get them looked at at a hospital/ walk-in centre. This is especially important in your case as steris aren't holding and you have quite a lot of deep ones.
I would really advise that you go and sooner rather than later as they can help much more and the chances of infection are more greatly lessened (though if you do go later it is still worthwhile as they can choose the right materials to dress them and do a really good job. The options, other than A&E which I know can be daunting are going to an NHS walk-in centre or a Minor injuries unit; these are quieter and usually quicker so you can be seen so are often easier mentally to cope with. These can be found here. Though, at this time, especially as it is on a Sunday, your only option really is to go to A&E as it is better them being seen before tomorrow morning so that they are more likely to stitch them and to lessen the chance of them being infected as much as possible.
ahh thanx, well they are about 2cm/4cm wide n an inch and a half long down the inner arm. theyve stopped bleeding yet you can see white bubbly stuff, not yellow :S theyve stopped hurting now. cant go hospital will just clean them alot thanx beth xx
If you can't go to a+e (which if they are gapin that much you really should) can you get to a walk-in centre (you can have it not go on your medical records then) or a Minor Injuries Unit tomorrow. I think it would be a really good idea. They may not stitch them (depending where they, who is looking at them, and their depth) but they can clean them up and dress them better than you can at home and I think that is definately a good idea as they are at a high risk of infection by the sounds of it.
hiya, went walk in centre at 8 this morning, the nurse got abit arsey with me and said i should have come last night, anyway she cleaned n stitched the ones that needed it, then gave me some dressings and a clean bandage, she said next time come as soon as possible as after 8 hours they are reluctant to stitch, feeling abit crap now want to harm but keep distracting, thanx beth
Yeah im sorry that happened and she came across as arsey.
i really struggle with my mental health and it really effects me when i find people coming across like that for whatever reason but as Rebecca said im sure she was just wanting to look out for you and didnt want anything bad to happen and was probably just more worried than anything!
i know that doesnt compensate for how it came across though and how its effected you.
im sorry your still feeling bad emotionally too and feel like harming.
im a bit worried that here might be the wrong place to ask and also please dont answer if you dont want to/feel upto it but i was wondering do you have any professional support/or have you been offered any?If not would you consider it?
Well done for being brave and getting this sorted.i know you were scared and understandably didnt want to go anywhere but i think you did really well.
Take care.
i do not always manage to be around but i wish you all the very best - love and luck to you all!
Well done for going. I'm sorry it may not have been the most positive of experiences but at least it's all sorted now. Follow the instructions they left you and I hope they heal fine.
thanx yeah ive met nurses who are either sympathetic/nice or arsey ahwel, am doing abit better now i just struggle being cared for as i dont think i deserve someone to help me/look after me, so maybe i just read into it too much. anyways i see a councillor, also see a selfharm group and have been through CMHT, i see my gp every 2 weeks to be monitored. i have had a positve experience before with a n e but i just feel stupid going back as i dont wana waste anyones time, anyways thanx bethy x
