Aftercare for self harm tips
I hope I'm posting this in the right place, and I also hope it'll help someone.
I've recently had another relapse, it was pretty bad this time and I've been self harming frequently. However I'm now trying to look after myself again and thought I might share some ways to look after your scars, for those looking to heal rather than hurt again. (I'm in no way a medical professional and this post is mostly aimed at those who cut, so take my advice with a pinch of salt)
First off- if you think your cuts are very deep and that they need stitches, please please please call your emergency services!
Second, if you really find yourself needing to do this, please use a clean blade. It's easier to give advice than take it because I suck at using clean ones, and it's a miracle I've not got any horrible infections because of it. If it's rusty or dirty, don't use it! Another important thing: make sure you've had a tetanus shot! I believe you're meant to have them every 10 years?
For when they're healing- give them plenty of air. They'll heal a lot faster if they're not wrapped in a bandage 24/7; obviously if you need a bandage because you've done some severe damage this probably won't help. But when you're alone, wear a t-shirt/shorts if you can.
Use an antiseptic cream. Not only does this reduce the chance of cuts getting infected, it speeds up the healing process. It will sting more the fresher they are, so you may want to wait a bit until they hurt less. I find sometimes rubbing the cream in the same direction as the cuts hurts a bit less?
Bio oil and other scar stuff like that is good for reducing the appearance of scars. Start using this when the cuts have mostly healed; don't use it on fresh wounds.
Unrelated to healing slightly, but if you're planning to kick your habits like I am- throwing away your tools can really help. You may not feel like your ready, but it can actually be a relief and reduces the temptation. If you can't bring yourself to do it, ask someone you trust to throw them away. Once you throw them away, you have a bit more time to stop yourself from doing it.
If you have any other tips feel free to leave them below, and please correct me if I've got anything wrong.
@SuperCreativeUsername Thanks. Thighs hurt like hell from the cream. also, applying aloe vera can lighten the scaring.
@SpyderPig legs always end up hurting more for me too, especially because I wear jeans during the day and they rub on the cuts. Unfortunately can't give you a solution to the pain as I still haven't found that myself.
Thanks for the aloe vera tip! Hope the pain isn't too bad and that your legs heal well.
Hi! I'm not a cutter but have slit my wrists a few times and let Mother Nature heal them. I have used Neosporin in the past for other cuts and scrapes. It heals pretty quick. :-)
If you have any doubt at all or if you are even wondering about it - go see a doctor, go to an emergency room or call emergency services! Even if you don't do it immediately and wonder about it afterwards - go to a doctor or at least a pharmacist.
Make sure you know how to stop bleeding. Accidents can happen.
A pharmacist told me to not use antiseptic liquid to clean the wound, because it kills the open cells and means it will take longer to heal. Instead use lukewarm saltwater.
Ointments that have an antibiotic in them are better than just antiseptic creams.
There is a kind of gauze available or special plasters that won't stick to open wounds (including wounds other than cuts).
If a plaster or something does stick to the wound, don't rip it off. Soak it in lukewarm saltwater until it becomes loose.
It does help to not keep your tools handy. It just gives you that extra time to change your mind and make it more difficult for you to immediately do it.
Calm Harm is a pretty good app to help with recovery from self harm.
There is also a self harm recovery subforum/subcommunity here on 7 Cups.
