First-aid: Infections & Sepsis

Infections can be dangerous, they can cause serious illness, disability, and sometimes death. Any infection can develop into sepsis. Sepsis is the bodies dangerous and extreme reaction to infection where it's immune system begins attacking it's own tissue and organs. Sepsis can become fatal or life altering very fast. People who self-harm in a way which breaks skin (such as by cutting, biting, scratching, or burning) are at higher risk of developing sepsis. Any wound can become infected and develop sepsis regardless of size or depth.

People who do survive sepsis often continue to have symptoms and may have to live with permanent changes, such as amputation, hearing/vision/sensory loss, organ damage, chronic pain, or PTSD. This is called Post Sepsis Syndrome (PSS), you can learn more about and get support for PSS here.

The best way to avoid harm is to do your best to prevent an infection from happening in the first place.

Some ways to decrease risk of infection are...

• Being up to date on your vaccinations, especially your tetanus vaccination
• Using clean tools (i.e. blades) when you self-harm and, if possible not reusing tools. Never sharing tools
• If you reuse tools, clean them in between use by:
  • Boiling them in water (~15 minutes), remember to dry well
  • Soak them in something with a high alcohol contents (i.e. isopropyl/rubbing alcohol, hard liquor, hand sanitiser), remember to dry well
• Check your tools for rust, dirt, or cracking before use. Dispose if any found
• Store tools in a clean, dry place; do not use something to self-harm if it was or could have been in an unclean place
• Clean your hands before self-harming
• If you bite yourself, use mouth wash before to kill of bacteria
• Clean the area you plan to self-harm with antiseptic before self-harming
• Keep cuts, burns, and other open wounds covered with wound dressings. Changes dressings daily
• If an open wound is high risk for infection (i.e. a bite, used a rusty/dirty tool) clean it with soap and water or antiseptic
• Having a healthy diet; malnourishment increases your risk of getting an infection and slows healing. This is especially important to remember if you have an eating disorder

Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you experience any symptoms of serious infection (see above). A serious infection can be deadly and cause permanent disability, DO NOT attempt to care for at home.
Even if you only have a mild infection, it is suggested that you see a doctor.