Sometimes I run across things that makes me cringe inside… one of my finds is hospital-data.com, which among other things lists statistics on such things as – for instance – facial accidents involving shavers or razors.

Lets skim a few and see what lessons we can identify, shall we?

61 YO M, C/O FACIAL SWELLING AND PAIN, ABSCESS WITH DISCHARGE, STARTED 4 DAYS AGO AFTER SHAVING AND CUTTING HIMSELF, DX CELLULITIS.

Very ouch, and a reminder to use alum and patch up major cuts.

35 YOM INFECTION ON FACE FROM USING DIRTY RAZOR FACIAL CELLULITIS

Less sympathy here – clean your gear people.

40 YO FEMALE SHAVED WITH RAZOR AND HAS RASH UNDER CHIN FOLICULITIS

I’m going to guess bad prep, in my experience a good prep fixes most rashes.

FOUND RAZOR AND CUT FACE, ALSO TOUCHED HOT BURNER ON STOVE

This one… two year old child. Please don’t put your razor where children can find them and play unsupervised – and keep an eye on the stove when the burners are hot.

The database also lists injuries to other bodyparts, as well as injuries caused by other objects. Speaking of the former, it’s not too surprising to see that injuries to the fingers outnumber facial injuries about 6.4:1… but the one shaver-or-razor related injury category that really make me cringe is “Eyeball”:

PT C/O CUT TO RT EYE AREA LAST NIGHT WITH RAZOR – DX CORNEAL ABRASION.

Eeeeew.. not going there.

PS: I wanted to lighten up the post by adding a few funny pictures of razor cuts or accidents… but the majority I found was about self-injury and rather depressing. If you do suspect someone near you are suffering from this, please do whatever is in your power to get them help.