I'm worried that my cuts are infected!?

Question

Please don't preach about the whole "Dont cut yourself you could bleed to death" as right now I'm gonna get help for it. I've been cutting myself with an x-acto knife below my left thumb, there's about 5 cuts horizontaly, which I cut 3 days ago. Right now it hurts when I touch it, and I can see a red background over it. Please keep in mind that I always use perfume on my cuts and over the x-acto knife to dissenfect it, and I put a bandage on it. Is it infected? How bad is it to be infected? It is severe?

Answer 1

Well, as you have discovered, infection is one reason not to cut yourself. There is no "clean" or "sterile" way to cut yourself and not risks infection. Even in hospitals, where all the equipment is sterilized, there is a risk of infection - that's why there are all those release forms to sign.

It does sound like you could have an infection. You could also have some nerve damage if you cut deeply enough.

What now? Wash the cuts thoroughly and keep them uncovered at night so they can scab over and heal. If you have tingling or sharp pains, you will need to see an orthopaedic doctor with a specialty in hands because you may have to have the nerve(s) repaired. Otherwise, they should heal fine. You can also apply some neosporin or aloe to the cuts. Stop putting perfume on them because that is just an irritant.

Now, here's the preaching (you knew it was coming). Cutting is only a temporary fix or feel-good, as you know. It carries a lot of risks, including infection, nerve damage, tendon or ligament damage, and the emotional scars never heal. It's also very hard to stop, as you know. Please talk to someone you trust and tell them what you are doing. Don't make them promise not to tell anyone because that puts them in a bad situation and the issue here is helping you out of a bad situation, not putting someone else in it. You can work through this, but probably not alone - and do you really want to do it alone? Let your friends and family help you through this. They all love you and can help you find another way to get the same feeling you get from cutting. Jogging, exercise, dancing, reading, writing, sewing, knitting, tile mosaic - there are so many different ways to be creative and carve your signature in something other than your own skin.

You were very brave to post this question.

Answer 2

1] perfume is not a disinfectant [ bet it hurts, though ] Perfume is only 30% alcohol max, and rubbing alcohol is 70%.
2] you must BOIL or autoclave a cutting instrument ot sterilize it before surgery. Those movies where they pour whiskey or whatever over things are emergency procedures, and the person would croak without the surgery.
3] you are infected - soak in warm soapy water, put a bandage with antibiotic ointment on, and if it isn't better by tomorrow, see a doctor.

Answer 3

Can't say if its infected without seeing it, but definately could be....should see a doctor. Warm salt water soaks will help followed by peroxide and antibiotic ointment...there are some really nasty bacteria out there, if it doesnt look a whole lot better QUICK dont waste time, go see a doc. Definately need to make sure your tetanus is up to date.

Answer 4

I would clean it with hydrogen peroxide... I would then treat it with a antibiotic gel (Neosporin). It would also be a good idea to go see a md if you have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years.