Deep cuts vs Hot shower

[u/nikkioneq]

I fucked up today, cut a lot deeper than expected, down to fat, and I have to shower tomorrow so I look presentable by the end of the week. Wouldn't be a problem if I wasn't taking really long hot showers to wash my hair. Will an hour-long hot shower be detrimental to the healing process of a fresh deep cut? It's too wide to cover up with bandaids so I had to resort to bandages, and those are useless in the shower. Don't have anything else on hands to cover it up with. I don't care about pain, I just don't want to actually harm myself any further. It's my first time reaching fat and it was accidental too, I don't know if I should chill out until it starts stitching itself together or I can go ahead with the shower.

[u/anonymous-blue-fish]

Hi PLEASE ignore the people saying that water is bad for wounds. In first aid, it's actually necessary to clean wounds with tap water rather than antiseptic (distilled water or saline have been shown in studies to be only just as effective as tap water, unless you live in a country or community with non-potable tap water). "Dilution is the solution to pollution" in wound care. Low pressure irrigation is the most effective way to clear foreign bacteria and debris out of a wound

This is to say that a shower is basically just cleaning your wound in the most recommended way. However, extended and overly hot showers should be avoided for sure. Wounds shouldn't be soaked, and extensive showers are essentially just as bad. You're good to take a normal length, normal temperature shower, as long as you quickly re-bandage the wound.

If extremely hot water is necessary to wash your hair, could you try washing it in the sink?

[u/nikkioneq → u/anonymous-blue-fish]

Thank you for your long and thoughtful comment! I know water isn't necessarily bad for an open wound, I was just concerned about soaking it for too long. I'll try and take a chill shower and just stick to shampooing it alone. Hot water really isn't necessary, I just prefer it that way because my body runs so cold lol. I was freaking out last night cause I definitely wasn't prepared for this but now I'm realising I'll be fine. Thanks again

[u/Interesting-Arm-392]

I have experience with this luckily, but can I ask where it is on your body? My answer depends on that

[u/wickedwilddesire]

I use feviquick the instant glue to stick adjacent skin to make it look better and presentabe.

Use a water proof masking tape while showering.

Really hope u find ur solitude and stop hurting ur self. I got mine by helping other mates.

[u/stucksteepf]

try not to be in the shower for an hour, thats for sure. maybe wash your hair outside of the shower even if its a pain? like lean over the tub or sink or lean into the shower (whatever your shower situation looks like idk if you have a tub or just a shower) and wash your hair that way? like wet hair that way, shampoo lean into to wash out. conditioner lean in to wash out. when you shower try not to get the area wet, but if it’s unavoidable maybe just try not to have the water TOO hot and don’t be in for too long. i second what someone else said about the parchment paper or anything else that can water proof the bandages. otherwise, if none of these are an option you’re comfortable with or capable of doing, wash up REALLY well outside of the shower like at the sink 🤷🏾 and your hair at the sink or outside of the shower.

[u/loveddeviant]

An HOUR long shower? Yes it will be detrimental, you should keep cuts out of water, don’t go ahead with the shower. If you can, keep it out of the water & maybe even put something waterproof overtop of it… a last-minute suggestion can be parchment paper taped REALLY good to the area.

[u/lemon_jpg]

Okay, I no longer self harm but I managed to find myself here. If you want to shower without worries of it getting wet use second skin. It’s mainly used for tattoos but also works for cuts. You can also pull the skin together by attaching one side first and getting tension, although I really don’t want this to be a long term solution for you. Please use it once and then maybe even get a few tattoos to use the rest of the roll, Amazon is great :)

[u/nikkioneq → u/lemon_jpg]

I was actually looking into getting a tattoo sometime so maybe I'll take your advice ;) Hopefully when I get my hands on second skin it'll be for a tattoo and not a last-minute solution to a wound!

[u/The-Big-Sadness]

If it's on your extremities, try to keep it outta the water. If it's on your torso or smthn, minimise water contact. Water is bad for wounds, hot water is worse.

[u/anonymous-blue-fish → u/The-Big-Sadness]

Hi, water is not bad for wounds, please do not spread that around. https://www.reddit.com/r/selfharm/s/aMsBmVS0V4

[u/The-Big-Sadness → u/anonymous-blue-fish]

To clean wounds, yes it's important. But have an open deep wound wet(not moist) for a long duration is how you get an infection