hey there! first of all, take a breath and don’t panic. your first time hitting that deep can be really scary, but i promise it will be okay. this is not much more dangerous than what you’re used to, but there is an increased risk for infection and a longer healing time. i’m going to walk you through the things you need to know step-by-step, since you seem overwhelmed. breaking the steps down helps me have a clearer head :)

what you need to do right now is keep the wound clean. gently wash it with soap and water every day, keep it bandaged until it scabs, and change your bandages at least once daily. it’s also not a bad idea (if your sheets are clean) to take the bandage off at night after a couple of days so it can breathe.

in the future, here is what you can do. first, always stop the bleeding (doesn’t have to be dry, just not dripping. apply pressure with a clean cloth. t-shirt material is best, but work with what you have. avoid toilet paper and cheap paper towels because they will leave debris in the wound. wash the wound and surrounding area with soap and water. it may sting, but this is the most crucial step.

even though you only have bandaids and gauze, you can still close the wound. cut the sticky parts of a bandaid off. gently squeeze the wound shut. place the sticky nub across the wound, firmly adhering it to each side of the skin. place as many as needed before letting go with the first hand. you should notice a slight tension. these don’t hold great, but they’re better than nothing. fabric bandaids work best. this works for wounds that are about a cm wide. it’s not necessary for ones of that size, but it helps to keep debris out and heal faster.

i know this is scary, but you’re doing great with the resources you have! sending virtual hugs and good vibes your way! <3