First Aid for Self-Injury

This information is provided as advice only. In no way does it encourage self-harm in any way. The aim of this article is to help you take care of yourself and your body after you have acted on the urge to self-harm. What follows does not replace medical attention and cannot be seen as professional medical advice.

First Aid for Self-Injury

Lots of people who self-harm are often scared to ask for help with their wounds, or maybe they may not be able to seek help without the knowledge of someone else in their household. We acknowledge that for some people, not caring for their wounds or neglecting them adds in another layer of self-injury or harm. However, maybe if it feels right, you could invest in a simple first aid kit.

We suggest this not so you can self-harm more freely or frequently, but so you can look after yourself following an episode of self-harm and hopefully avoid infection too. Nevertheless, a first aid kit does not replace the need for professional help, and you should seek that help if you think you need it.

Things that could be useful in your first aid kit:

• A clean tea towel or hand towel – this can be used to put pressure on a wound to stop bleeding. Tea towels tend not to leave ‘fluff’ behind in the wound. ‘J’ cloths can be good too.
• Sterile dressings or non-adhesive gauze pads. Again, these can be used to apply pressure on wounds. You can also use them with tape to make a wound covering or dressing.
• Plaster or medical tape on a roll (to hold bandages together and dressings in place). Some people can be allergic to tape, so if you are, buy hypoallergenic tape. Medical tape tears easily but fabric tape allows you to move more without the dressing coming adrift.
• Bandages for injuries like sprains.
• Clingfilm to cover burns.
• Butterfly or steri strips. These are little strips that can help close the skin on smaller cuts that don’t require stitches.
• Some kind of liquid cleanser (TCP, Savlon, or sterile wipes). You can also use soap and water. Use a clean towel to dry the wound.
• Antibacterial cream. This can help treat and prevent infection and it is said to help healing.
• A flexible ice pack. To reduce swelling that accompanies some wounds. You can also buy air activated cold packs if you don’t want to advertise your ice pack in the family freezer.

When to seek medical attention

• It is very important that you tell someone if you have hurt yourself severely or if you have taken an overdose / swallowed chemical substances.
• It is normal to be scared, but it is essential to get proper medical attention as quickly as possible.
• If you are ever in doubt, phone NHS Direct on 111 they will provide you with a trained nurse to talk to almost immediately.

For more information on managing wounds and burns and information about when you should see a doctor, go to www.nhs.uk or ring NHS Direct on 111.