recoverykitty:

First and foremost, please know I do not encourage or condone self harm. I encourage anyone struggling with SH to please seek help and move towards recovery. That said, having been disordered myself for about 12 years I know recovery takes time and it takes much more than someone telling you “just don’t” to stop. I’ve been working in the medical field as a nursing assistant for 4 years, and wanted to share what I know for when dangerous situations arise. If you are ever in doubt, do not hesitate to call 911. I will be posting an eating disorder and substance abuse version of this in the near future. 

Prevention: 

• Butterfly Project
• Self Injury Helpline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
• Alternatives to self harm
• Support Chat

First Aid:

For cuts:

1. Apply direct pressure to the area to stop the bleeding. If the cuts are on a limb, hold it above your heart.
2. If the cut is wide or deep, hold the sides of the injury together 
3. Clean the area with warm water and soap
4. Apply an antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin)
5. Apply a sterile bandage or wrap over the area

For burns:

1. Cool the area with low pressure cool running water or cool cloths for several minutes. Do not use ice, oil, or butter. Burned areas are weak and may become frostbitten easily. Oil or butter will trap the heat in. 
2. Remove all jewelry and tight fitting clothing as soon as possible – the swelling may make it hard to remove later. If clothing is stuck to your burn, do not try to pull it off.
3. If you wish, treat with a topical water soluble burn cream to reduce pain. After 2-3 days, you can use aloe.
4. Do not pop blisters
5. Wear loose fitting clothing while healing 

Call 911:

• If a cut is spurting blood in time to your heart beat, you have hit an artery. Call 911 and do not remove pressure from the area. 
• If the cut is deep or over a joint
• If you have lost sensation in the area of injury
• If you continue to bleed heavily after taking the above steps
• If you can see yellow fatty tissue or underlying muscle (will look like a slab of meat)
• If it is hard to hold the sides of the cut together
• If something is stuck in your wound/burn (in the case of something being in your cut, hold the sides together around the object and do not attempt to remove it)
• You were burned using a chemical

For #PositiveSubversion