I cut on my thigh and I wear tight pants but I don’t want anyone to see the bandages. Please help, I can’t use bandaids because I don’t have any. I have bandages but idk how to use them.

I dont have dressings or any of that, probably shouldve bought a first aid kit, anyway, now its too late, the cut is horizontal across my nose from cheekbone to cheekbone, i assume deep enough to leave a permanent scar. What can i do? I used a razor blade btw.

It does bleed but i guess thats given

So I don’t own actual bandages but I’ve been doing my best. Whenever I try take/replace the bandages they just rip the scab off. Am I doing something wrong? If anybody knows I’d appreciate it. It is a beans cut btw and I know stitches would be ideal but it’s been a week I can’t get them and I’m kinda getting tired of this thing not healing. Tysm! <3

I self-harm as a coping mechanism. To be specific, i use a blade. The issue is, i may need to wrap this up in a bandage, is there any technique that I can use that will not have people aware that I cut myself and rather that I have an injury?

Here’s a list of first aid supplies for those who need it. Feel free to add your own in the comments! (This is not intended to replace actual medical advice, but rather to provide harm reduction and promote self care.)

BleedStop or QuikClot: Used to stop heavy bleeding fast. Can be purchased at most drugstores / in pharmaceutical sections. Not for regular use, but great for an emergency until medical help can arrive. PLEASE keep one of these on hand— it’s basically Narcan for cutters.

Non-stick Gauze: Used to keep an open wound covered and protected from debris/bacteria. Non-stick will prevent the material from sticking in the wound, but you can also add a thin layer of Vaseline or antibiotic ointment to the wound-side of regular gauze to prevent it from sticking.

Menstrual/Period Pads (a budget-friendly alternative to gauze): If you’re broke like me, period pads are super absorbent, leak-proof, and do not stick in wounds. You can cut them down to the size/shape you need and sometimes make several “bandages” out of one pad. I recommend thin ones with high absorption. Also great if you’re looking for something that won’t seem suspicious in your bathroom cabinet.

Medical Tape: Used to secure bandages/gauze in place. I’ve tried MANY brands of tape, but my hands-down favorite is Nexcare Gentle Paper Tape. Great for sensitive skin, and it actually stays on through a sweaty 8hr shift at work.

Wound Closures (Steri-Strips): Used to pull gaping wounds together for faster healing. If you’re on a budget, the paper tape I’ve recommended above can actually be used in the same way, albeit it may not stay secure for as long as Steri-Strips would.

Tegaderm/Saniderm: A bit pricey, but these are entirely waterproof and leakproof. They can also be left on for multiple days, so they’re really great for vacations or if you struggle with self care. (My only hesitation would be that if you don’t have the area thoroughly sterilized, you risk trapping the bacteria under the bandage where it will then have difficulty draining. Please, please, please read the application instructions before use.)

Saline/Wound Wash: Used to rinse debris and pathogens from wounds. I’ve read this can be very helpful for burns in particular. However, some wound washes are only meant for dermal wounds and should not be used if deeper tissue is exposed, so please read the label (or research the product online) before use.

Antibiotic Ointment: Used to prevent/reduce infection. However, you may look into the overuse of antibiotic ointment before you go slathering it on every wound. Overuse could cause you to develop antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can lead to life-threatening infections. Also, antibiotic ointment can only do so much. If the redness/irritation doesn’t clear up after a couple of days (or gets worse), you need actual antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

Hydrocortisone Cream: Used to sooth dry or itchy skin. This works great for mild irritation from medical tape or bandaids, as well as fully-healed scars when they get tight or itchy. However, hydrocortisone cream should never be used on/in wounds, on broken skin, or on infected areas.

Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol): Used to disinfect around wounds. Please do NOT put it in your wound in an attempt to disinfect it— that’s what saline/wound wash is for. Isopropyl alcohol kills germs by breaking down their cell membranes, and it can do the same to your exposed healthy cells, which will increase your risk for infection and slow the healing process. However it’s perfectly safe on unbroken skin, and I would highly recommend lightly washing around your wounds with isopropyl alcohol at least once a day to reduce risk of infection. You can do this by soaking a clean cloth or paper towel and gently wiping around the wound. For maximum effectiveness, let the area air dry so the alcohol has contact with your skin for as long as possible.

Cotton Balls/Cotton Pads/Paper Towels/Clean Cloth: You need to be cleaning around your wounds regularly to prevent infection. You can use any of the materials listed, but just make sure they’re clean and haven’t been previously used. As recommended above, isopropyl alcohol is a good choice, but you can also use a mild soap so long as you keep it out of any open wounds and thoroughly rinse the residue.

Most of these items can be purchased at drugstores (such as CVS or Walgreens) or in the wellness section of retailers like Walmart, Target, or Kroger. That being said, almost anything can be purchased online. (Tip for those in shared-living situations: you can ship packages to UPS stores for a small holding fee. Amazon also has pickup lockers in many metropolitan areas and they will typically hold packages for up to 72 hours— plus the pickup process is a breeze.)

All that said, if your wound becomes hot to the touch, develops any sort of rash or visible irritation, smells abnormal, or leaks a non-clear yellowish or greenish fluid, you’re dealing with an infection and need medical help. You cannot fix it yourself and it will not go away on its own. Please see a doctor.

Please feel free to add to this list in the comments or make brand recommendations!

I cut myself with a razor blade for the first time today (previously just scratched my skin). I stopped the bleeding with toilet paper & then disinfected with alcohol.

Any advice on whether I should disinfect in another way, and how to cover the wounds? What should I use to bandage it? I'm clueless. Thank you <3