First Aid for Self-Harm | Safety and Care

Get Emergency Help Now If

The bleeding will not stop, is spurting, or the wound is very large or deep.
The injury is life-threatening, you have taken an overdose, or you may have been poisoned.
You have difficulty breathing, lose consciousness, have a seizure, or cannot stay safe from further harm.

Call 999 or go to A&E now. Do not drive yourself. Ask someone to take you or call an ambulance.

If it is not an immediate emergency but you are unsure how serious the injury is, call NHS 111.

First Aid for an Injury

Start with the section that matches what has happened. These steps are for immediate first aid and do not replace advice from a healthcare professional.

Cuts and Bleeding

Apply firm pressure with a clean folded cloth or bandage. If the bleeding will not stop, call 999 or go to A&E.

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Wash and dry your hands. Put on disposable gloves if you have them.
If nothing is stuck in the wound, press firmly on it with a clean folded cloth or bandage.
If something is stuck in the wound, do not remove it or press on it. Press firmly on either side.
If blood comes through the cloth or bandage, leave it in place and put another one on top.
When the bleeding has stopped, rinse a small wound with tap or bottled water, pat it dry and cover it with a sterile dressing or plaster.

Call 999 or go to A&E if the bleeding will not stop, blood is spurting, the wound is very large or deep, you lose feeling or movement near it, or something is stuck in it.

Call NHS 111 if the wound is still dirty, is larger than about 5cm, or becomes red, swollen, increasingly painful or produces pus.

Burns and Scalds

Hold the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. Do not use ice, creams, oils or butter.

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Hold the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible.
Remove clothing or jewellery near the burn, but do not remove anything stuck to it.
After cooling it, lay cling film over the burn if available. Do not wrap it tightly around the area.

Do not use ice, creams, oils or butter, and do not burst any blisters.

Call 999 or go to A&E if the burn is very large or deep, is on the face, genitals or bottom, or was caused by chemicals, acid or electricity. Call NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do.

Overdose or Poisoning

Get medical help immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear or try to make anyone vomit.

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Call 999 or go to A&E if you think you or someone else may have swallowed, touched or breathed in something harmful.
Call NHS 111 if you are unsure whether something was harmful.
Do not try to make anyone vomit and do not give them anything to eat or drink.
Keep any packaging, containers or medicines to show healthcare professionals.
If they are unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position. If they are not breathing, call 999 and begin CPR if you can.

Do not drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to take you or call an ambulance.

Another Injury or Unsure

If there is no immediate danger but you are unsure what care is needed, call NHS 111.

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Different injuries need different treatment, so it may not be safe to give general first aid instructions.

Call 999 or go to A&E if the injury may be serious or life-threatening. If there is no immediate danger but you are unsure what care is needed, call NHS 111.

If you can, move away from anything you could use to harm yourself and ask someone you trust to stay with you while you get help.

After the Immediate Injury Is Cared For

You do not have to deal with what happened on your own. If you might harm yourself again or do not feel able to stay safe, use our urgent help page now.

Medical Sources

This guidance is based on current NHS advice. For complete medical information, see the NHS guidance for cuts and grazes, burns and scalds, and poisoning.

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