What is the difference between scratching and cutting

You or your mom or dad can check your medical records to be sure that you had a tetanus shot recently. If you haven't, you will probably need to get one.

Sometimes, a cut, scratch, or scrape starts out as no big deal, but then gets infected. A skin infection happens when germs get into the skin. Luckily, most small cuts, scratches, and abrasions will go away on their own, thanks to your body's amazing ability to heal itself. If a cut looks serious or infected, though, call your doctor.

Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Here's what to do if the injury isn't serious: Stop bleeding by pressing a clean, soft cloth against the wound for a few minutes.

If the wound is bleeding a lot, you'll need to hold pressure for longer sometimes up to 15 minutes. As you keep the pressure on and the wound, avoid the urge to peek. Lifting the bandage may start the bleeding again. Clean the wound. Run water over the cut for 5 minutes. Then use soap to gently wash the cut or scrape thoroughly. Please don't selfharm. Message me if you need to chat xxx. Self-harm is anything that causes you harm. Most people think of making yourself bleed and don't really take you seriously when you say you hit yourself or you scratch yourself.

It doesn't have to leave a permanent mark. If you ask any psychologist, they will tell you that self-harm is exactly that; harming yourself. If you're in doubt, make sure you see a competent doctor.

I've had some that come from the older generation and aren't up to date with new methods, issues and scientific findings. If you are indeed scratching yourself on a daily basis, I would strongly urge you to see a professional for some advice.

Don't worry, they very rarely lock people away for self harming and they can't force you to take drugs either. That's your choice. I know because I've been told all this by a professional myself. Hope this helps. Anonymous December 19th, am. Self harm is just what it sounds like, and scratching purposely, even if it doesn't do much damage, is still harming yourself.

The only way I wouldn't consider what you do as self harm is it you only do it when you're scratching an itch. I started scratching when I was 11 and which led me to self-harm. I recommend you to stop before it becomes very serious.

Take care of yourself, you are beautiful. Anonymous September 5th, am. Yes, I believe it does count as self harm, as you are still hurting yourself even if you don't bleed. It can be bruising, burning, self-neglect, scratching and many other things. Yes, it diffidently counts; any intended harm to yourself is self harm. In my personal experience I think it does. Unless that scratching came about as an unexpected accident such as perhaps an accidental scratch from a sharp tool or friend or animal then it is self harm.

Many people, myself inclusive in the beginning used to think that scratches that didn't draw blood were not self harm, it was just something to do to distract myself. But then I realized that the thoughts that led me to do that were not healthy, surely one does not scratch themselves for injury as though they were scratching a mere itch. Its a way to feel a different pain from what is aching in our sub-conscious although it doesn't led to the same scars as those that bleed.

Talk to someone, maybe even on here - Let it out and free yourself from what's anchoring you towards self harm. Yes it still counts,you're causing harm to your body,whether it bleeds or not Anonymous December 20th, pm. I used to scratch all the time when I got anxious, it soon turned into cutting myself, it does count, but not to the degree that most doctors worry about.

Try and find what triggers scratching and find something else to do with your hands during the trigger. Yes, it does dear. I'm sorry, I used to scratch all the time. Try rubbing with your knuckles instead. It is counted as self harm. Any form or way that you could hurt yourself, intentionally, is self harm. It doesn't really matter whether you bleed or you don't. Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only.

You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and hospital resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Washington, Alaska, Montana or Idaho.

For more information, see Website Privacy. Skip to navigation menu Skip to content. High Priority Alert. Close alert. Informational Alert. Skin Injury. Is this your child's symptom? Injuries to the skin anywhere on the body surface Includes cuts, scratches, scrapes, bruises and swelling Types of Skin Injury Cuts, lacerations, gashes and tears.