burns

burning can occur in multiple ways, such as cigarettes, flames, ice/cold, friction, and more.

the first step to take is to remove anything that may constrict the area of injury, such as clothes or jewelry, as burns cause quick swelling.

first degree: top layer of skin
cool the burn with cool, not cold or icy, water. do not apply ice. pat dry with a clean towel or gauze, and then cover with a nonadhesive bandage. do not apply anything scented or oily. use only ointments specifically for burns. change bandage regularly and watch for infection.

second degree: second layer of skin
immerse burn in cool water. do not use ice or cold packs as it can damage the skin even further. be wary of shock - if you feel lightheaded or dizzy, lay flat with feet elevated and cover with a thin blanket. apply loosely a nonstick bandage. this degree of burn will blister. avoid popping or picking at them, as once they are open it is very easy for bacteria to enter.

third degree: past hypodermis
at this degree medical help needs to be taken. do not apply water, ice, compresses, or ointments. apply loosely a sterile nonstick bandage and watch for signs of shock. seek emergency help immediately.

epidermis cuts

this is the very top layer of the skin. these are easy to care for and heal relatively quickly, as well as least likely to become infected. wash with lukewarm water, gentle soap, and gently pat dry. apply an adhesive bandage so dirt and bacteria won't enter, as well as cushioning the wound so it won't hurt as badly when touched.

try to avoid swimming, doing outdoor work, and coming in contact with dirty surfaces while it heals.

dermis cuts - styro

these cuts get their name from the white color of the dermis. this layer contains small arteries and nerve endings, and will most likely leave a permanent scar. you must rinse it out with lukewarm water. if you have any type of antibiotic ointment or spray, be sure to apply it after washing to prevent infection. some dermis lacerations begin to gape and grow wide - using a butterfly bandage or a homemade strip to close the gap will help keep it cleaner and from scarring as badly. when it's a deeper styro cut, it may bleed for multiple days. be sure to change the bandage regularly if so, and apply pressure early on to help clotting.

cuts at this layer and deeper need to be watched closely. infection is easy and healing takes longer. repeat the cleaning every day or every other day to protect your cut and give it the best chances of healing well.

hypodermis cuts - beans

you can recognize this cut when you begin to hit deep styro - the fat bubbles look like baked beans, poking through. if you manage to cut completely through the dermis the fat may begin to squish/spill out of the cut as the dermis is no longer holding the fatty layer in. although you may try to use a butterfly strip to close these, it won't heal well, as the empty space between the epidermis and the hypodermis can fill with bacteria and infection. medical attention is highly, highly recommended, as stitches will be your best bet for proper healing. if you can't get help, then do your absolute best to close the gap, and use nonstick pads to cover. regular gauze will tear off the healing skin and scab, causing your cut to open right back up. you may bleed for a prolonged amount of time, so apply pressure early on.

nerves, arteries, and veins can be cut open, which will need stitches internally. nerves being cut feel sharp, tingling, and numbness. arteries squirt bright red blood that sync with the pulse. veins have slower bleeding that may pulsate and is much darker.

muscle - laffy taffy

this is an extremely dangerous point to reach. damaging muscle fibers can cause permanent damage and even paralyze the limb. the only thing protecting your muscle is a very thin white layer called the epimysium. after muscle is straight up bone. these require medical attention immediately.

do not try to take care of these yourself as infection is extremely likely. these gape too widely for an average butterfly bandage and must be stitched. if infection becomes too severe, you may have to amputate the limb.

substance abuse

if you are having negative reactions or psychological symptoms, you may be having a bad trip or possibly overdosing.

for a bad trip, move yourself to a safe and comfortable environment that you can sit or lay down. if you have a friend or someone you trust, contact them and ask them to accompany you. remember: this feeling will end eventually. avoid driving, going out, or acting impulsively; this is not easy when high, so having a buddy that is sober to help control behavior is a good idea.

overdosing is when drug substances are taken in a dosage or quantity too high for the body to process. symptoms include severe chest pain, seizure, unusual body temperature changes, irregular pulse, abnormal and difficulty breathing, vomiting, and more depending on the drug. your best chance of survival is to get medical help. if you pass out, you could possibly choke on vomit, hit your head, or suffocate to death.

be wary in how much you ingest of any substance to prevent toxicity and have a sober friend available if you need help.

blunt force trauma

blunt force trauma is the fancy term of all injuries relating to being struck by objects that do not cause laceration. hitting yourself with your hands, objects, and purposefully throwing your body at hard surfaces are common forms. bruising happens when the blood vessels within your skin break, like they would if you were to be cut, and the blood has nowhere to exit the injury. the area may swell for the first day.

not much can be done once a bruise forms other than waiting for it to heal. cold compresses or ice packs can soothe the ache of a bruise, but do not allow ice to directly come in contact with the skin or it may cause skin damage. you can do this multiple times a day, but only for around 10 minutes maximum at a time. compression can also help move the blood away to help it dissipate from the area.

skin excoriation and hair pulling

although every person picks their scabs and plucks hair from time to time, for some it is compulsive - this is what skin excoriation and trichotillomania disorders are. removing scabs, scratching at skin bumps or irregular textures, picking off cuticles, pulling clumps of hair, excessive plucking, and tugging eyelashes out are all forms of these.

for skin excoriation, wash your hands with soothing water and gentle soap to remove any bacteria and dirt from your nails. file nails short to avoid damaging yourself futher. good alternatives for picking include peeling fruits by hand, tearing apart paper or foam, and finding activities busy with hands such as gardening. in severe cases, soft gloves and pimple patches can provide a barrier from picking.

for hair pulling, find ways to make it difficult to continue. wetting your hair will make it slippery and hard to grasp. find things that stimulate similarly, such as playing with dental floss, massaging your scalp, or pulling the fibers out of carpet samples.

therapy can alleviate compulsive behaviors and provide alternate coping strategies to lessen the frequency.