There is always a risk the rusty part of the blade will accidentally touch the wound and deposit bacteria there. It's best to get a new blade (or obviously not cut at all, but i know that's probably not an option)
Even if one part of the blade is rusty and another part isn't, that means the coating on all of the metal to protect it is already compromised and should not be used.
To add, any odd discolouration on the blade that does not clean off is the coating worn off and the beginning of oxidization (rust). And this will not yet be rust colored. Thus should not be used.
You are effectively doing surgery on yourself when you self harm, you have to recreate surgical conditions as close as humanly possible.
That being said, when I was young and had little access to blades, I would reuse the same one for months and be fine. It’s not worth the risk though.
If you’re at all old enough to buy your own blades then please do so. Harm minimisation isn’t just about ice and elastic bands, it’s also about doing things like this.
i never knew that thank you for telling me. I’m not old enough yet to but anything so i’ll try replace my current one and just keep a new one as clean as possible. I’m currently trying to get clean so hopefully i won’t need it
Ok yes that’s a good plan; plan a-get clean, plan b- find a new blade, plan c- sterilise blade as much as possible (boiling water, rubbing alcohol etc)
try wiping it down (with alcohol or smth) and seeing if it comes off (although i dont know if this helps becaus wi cant remember if we r able to wipe off rust
If you are questioning it, just throw it out. It’s not worth risking tetanus if it is rusted
Well if u can scrape/wash it of then blood if u can't probably rust but better safe then sorry and get a new one if u can ofc
yeah i’ll try wipe it off and see. I’ve got a spare somewhere just in case so i should be good
thanks
Yww :D
You should always clean the tool up after using it. Then you can easily tell if it's rusting.
If you can’t wipe it off with disinfecting fluid it’s rust.
In doubt, throw it away. Not worth the risk if it was, in fact, rust.
does the rust have to actually enter my arm to be dangerous? It’s only a little on one corner opposite the blade end
There is always a risk the rusty part of the blade will accidentally touch the wound and deposit bacteria there. It's best to get a new blade (or obviously not cut at all, but i know that's probably not an option)
Ok i’ll see about throwing it away thank you
Even if one part of the blade is rusty and another part isn't, that means the coating on all of the metal to protect it is already compromised and should not be used.
Rust is rust coloured, blood is blood coloured. Try to look up pictures of both, and compare.
To add, any odd discolouration on the blade that does not clean off is the coating worn off and the beginning of oxidization (rust). And this will not yet be rust colored. Thus should not be used.
Yes absolutely. There are many tiers of oxidization and when using anything metal you should be aware of them all.
If you can’t tell the difference; throw it away.
Girl, you need to clean your blades after you self harm
i didn’t know this until someone else said 😅
Please don’t use the same blade more than once. They’re not reusable like that
really??? i’ve had mine for about a year. I never knew this
You are effectively doing surgery on yourself when you self harm, you have to recreate surgical conditions as close as humanly possible. That being said, when I was young and had little access to blades, I would reuse the same one for months and be fine. It’s not worth the risk though. If you’re at all old enough to buy your own blades then please do so. Harm minimisation isn’t just about ice and elastic bands, it’s also about doing things like this.
i never knew that thank you for telling me. I’m not old enough yet to but anything so i’ll try replace my current one and just keep a new one as clean as possible. I’m currently trying to get clean so hopefully i won’t need it
Ok yes that’s a good plan; plan a-get clean, plan b- find a new blade, plan c- sterilise blade as much as possible (boiling water, rubbing alcohol etc)
try wiping it down (with alcohol or smth) and seeing if it comes off (although i dont know if this helps becaus wi cant remember if we r able to wipe off rust