MadamnX
Posts: 23
Joined: 11/7/2007
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Blood Safety Issues:
How important is blood testing? ...HIV and AIDS are rampant. Hepatitis B and C can cause serious damage and even death. HIV testing is VERY important.
... Know the risks.
Cutting Methods:
BE GENTLE.
Lancets. Lancets are a pen-like device used by diabetics to extract a small amount of blood for blood sugar testing. They are inexpensive and readily available without prescription, everywhere from Walmart to your local drug store. Lancets vary in price from 10 to 15 dollars and sharp refills are also very inexpensive. The beauty of these little babies is that they are completely sterile (if looked after) and it’s almost impossible to do any SERIOUS damage, as you can with a razor or a scalpel; though you should still avoid MAJOR arteries and veins.
Safety
Like safe sex, safe bloodletting works best if you plan ahead. Keep everything you need close at hand, clean and sterile. Lancets, blades, alcohol swabs, Neosporin/Polysporin, bandaids, and a small first aid pamphlet such as "St. John's" gives out, are all essential if you are into bloodplay. A good book or website on phlebotomy is also highly advisable.
Education and care are the keys to avoiding "accidents" that are costly and dangerous .
Cutting, if done right, should feel more like a fine point pen being drawn across the skin; it should NEVER feel like a slice!
Keep the cut small to minimize scarring. If the cut is too small, you can always make another one. But never take the chance of cutting, or to cut, too deep. I keep "butterfly" strips around in case of emergencies; fortunately, I have NEVER needed to use them for just cutting But, better safe than sorry.
You can reuse a lancet or blade two or three times during the session on the same sub as long as you set them on something sterile (a first aid kit gauze pad, for example) but after that discard them in a safe manner (both to yourselves and to the trash person) -- put them inside an old coffee can, or a soda bottle with a cap, or turn them in to a needle a program. Most drug stores will take and dispose of needles and sharps if necessary.
Clean and bandage the cut(s) as soon as possible, especially if you in an area that tends to be hot & humid. Neosporin/Polysporin and a bandaid will do a lot to minimize or eliminate scarring. A little Vitamin E also helps a lot.
Things to Remember:
Safety are your number one priorities! If anyone is ever uncomfortable, STOP immediately.
Sterile equipment, gauze, and an antibiotic gel are your BEST FRIENDS!
Shallow cuts in unobvious places are safest. Never cut "across grain" when cutting a muscle.
Exacto knives, while readily available are NOT the tool of choice! The edges are often rough and can lead to scarring, and the cut can be VERY painful and slow to heal. They are better left for their intended purpose... as a household or industrial TOOL!
Know Your Anatomy
Grab a phlebotomy book or online article. Be smart... be safe.
The following list of texts is generally available through www.amazon.com, or can be ordered through a university bookstore:
- Grey's Anatomy
- The Complete Textbook of Phlebotomy
- Handbook of Phlebotomy
- Handbook of Phlebotomy and Patient Services Techniques
- Introduction to Phlebotomy
- Multi-Skilling: Phlebotomy Collection Procedures for the Health Care Provider (1997. Beverly M. Kovanda)
- Phlebotomy (1995. Kathleen-McBride EdD,MT(ASCP) et al., ASCP Press)
- Phlebotomy Handbook (1996. Diane Garza, Kathleen Becan-McBride: 4th Edition)
- Phlebotomy for Nurses (Dennis Ernst and Catherine Ernst)
- Phlebotomy Handbook, Teachers Edition (1996. Diane Garza, Kathleen Becan-McBride, 4th Edition)
- Phlebotomy Principles and Practice: A Text and Workbook (NYA)
- Phlebotomy Techniques: A Curriculum Guide (Susan Phelan MHS, MT(ASCP); ASCP Press)
- Phlebotomy: The Clinical Laboratory Manual Services (Lynn B. Hoeltke MBA, MT(ASCP) PBT; Irvine Sci-Tech Books)
- Procedures in Phlebotomy (1994. John C., Jr. Flynn [Ed])
...and websites like:
http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/PHLEB/PHLEB.html
http://www.phlebotomy.com/
http://www.phlebotomypages.com/
Basic "First Aid"
First off: If you are going to indulge in "blood play", take a first aid course, or at LEAST read a first aid book and keep it HANDY!
St. John's Ambulance and The Red Cross offer first aid courses that are excellent. Other courses are readily available in whatever country you reside, so there is really no excuse for not having one.
http://expage.com/page/lacieking
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/firstaidandselfcare/index.cfm
http://www.healthy.net/clinic/firstaid/
http://www.firstaidsuppliesonline.com/nav.pl
Scarring
What can be done to minimize scar formation? In order for a wound to heal properly, several ingredients are needed. First of all, the body needs protein to make new tissue.
Besides protein, the body needs adequate levels of the following vitamins and minerals to repair damaged tissue: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc.
Buy some vitamin E capsules, or some of the new body lotion recommended for scar and stretch mark treatment. As the cut closes up start applying vitamin E (usually comes in ampules or gel caps that you prick with a pin and squeeze out the Vitamin E oil). It minimizes scaring in an amazing way. It also helps minimize infection.
The sub should also take vitamin supplements. Vitamin C has been shown to speed up wound healing, and the amino acids lysine and cystine also aid in wound healing and skin growth.
Alpha-hydroxy skin lotions will also reduce scaring AFTER the cut is mostly healed. Alpha-hydroxy lotions contain a weak acid that keep molecules in the skin from cross linking which is part of how scars form.
Another product which works well for minimizing scar tissue formation as well as reversing existing scar tissue is called Scar So Soft. Scar So Soft is a mixture of several different herbal oils along with agents that penetrate and soften the skin. Scar so soft is available at https://naturedoc.com/secure/secure-orders.htm.
For information on Scarfication : http://www.bmezine.com
< Message edited by MadamnX -- 1/8/2009 1:30:52 PM >
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