[4428247]

Are there ways to bandage my hip so 1) it doesn't get infected and 2) so I can not self-injure in the future? I really need to stop and I'm not sure if I can resist the temptation later if I don't take action now

[Skeezyks]

Hello 4428247: I'm sorry I don't think I really have an answer for you. But I saw no one had replied to your post. So I thought I would. You know, I have permanent physical problems related to my own prior self-harm. Once I realized what I had done to myself I did finally stop. But by then it was too late.

I cannot help you with the bandage idea. But, based on my own personal experience, I would have to say that the wise course of action here would be to seek medical treatment for whatever it is you have done to yourself & mental health treatment for whatever it is that is driving you to do it. I wish you well...

[4428247]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Hello 4428247: I'm sorry I don't think I really have an answer for you. But I saw no one had replied to your post. So I thought I would. You know, I have permanent physical problems related to my own prior self-harm. Once I realized what I had done to myself I did finally stop. But by then it was too late.

I cannot help you with the bandage idea. But, based on my own personal experience, I would have to say that the wise course of action here would be to seek medical treatment for whatever it is you have done to yourself & mental health treatment for whatever it is that is driving you to do it. I wish you well...

That's okay, I'll try

[Fuzzybear]

[AmandaBroken]

Minor cuts and scrapes usually don't require a trip to the emergency room. These guidelines can help you care for such wounds:

Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection. Also, put on disposable protective gloves if they're available.

Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If not, apply gentle pressure with a sterile bandage or clean cloth and elevate the wound.

Clean the wound. Use clear water to rinse the wound. Also, clean around the wound with soap and a washcloth. Keep soap out of the wound, as it can cause irritation. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris still remains, see your doctor. Thorough cleaning reduces the risk of infection and tetanus. There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser, which can be irritating to tissue already injured.

Apply an antibiotic. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin) to help keep the surface moist. These products don't make the wound heal faster. But they can discourage infection and help the body's natural healing process. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.

Cover the wound. Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. 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. If the injured person is allergic to the adhesive in tapes and bandages, switch to adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze held in place with paper tape, rolled gauze or a loosely applied elastic bandage. These supplies generally are available at pharmacies.

Get stitches for deep wounds. A deep — all the way through the skin — gaping or jagged wound with exposed fat or muscle will need stitches. Adhesive strips or butterfly tape may hold a minor cut together, but if you can't easily close the wound, see your doctor as soon as possible. Proper closure within a few hours minimizes scarring and reduces the risk of infection.

Watch for signs of infection. See your doctor if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.

Get a tetanus shot. If the injured person hasn't had a tetanus shot in the past five years and the wound is deep or dirty, he or she may need a booster shot, as soon as possible.

Antibiotics (in either pill or topical form) aren't necessarily necessary. In my country you need a prescription for any antibiotic and doctors don't generally prescribe them unless you have an actual infection.

[AmandaBroken]

In America, Antibiotic Ointment is available without a prescription.

Antibiotic Pills need a prescription.

I got that. What I meant is that given that the policies differ from country to country, and that people with wounds (and no OTC antibiotic) aren't massively dying in my country, the antibiotics aren't necessarily necessary and thus should the OP not have access to them, she isn't necessarily "doomed".

[AmandaBroken]

Originally Posted by Breadfish

I got that. What I meant is that given that the policies differ from country to country, and that people with wounds (and no OTC antibiotic) aren't massively dying in my country, the antibiotics aren't necessarily necessary and thus should the OP not have access to them, she isn't necessarily "doomed".

I agree...