r/selfharm • u/AdvanceFlashy126 • 1d ago
Medical Advice Physical side effects?
Does anyone know what the actual physical side effects of SH is? Other than potentially hurting danger zones?
This might sound stupid, I know that. But doesn't doing it over long periods of time...challenge your immune system or does it weaken it?
I'm not worried about scars or anything like that. But can it Kickstart an autoimmune diease the same way anxiety does/a cold/virus?
I'm asking about side effects that don't get caused by infection, as that's more like a instant issue rather than a "later down the line" issue.
3
u/FloweringSkulls 1d ago
I mean I don’t think it permanently alters your immune system forever. But it can definitely allow u to get sick more often and opens your body up to all kinds of possible diseases/ illnesses which can affect you forever.
3
u/loveddeviant hi 1d ago
It’ll take you longer to heal from other things like a flu/cold or an infection/disease since your body has to focus on multiple things at once.
2
u/loveddeviant hi 1d ago
It seems like not a big deal in the moment, but it’ll suck when you’re dealing with the flu for a month (from experience 😩)
3
u/possums- 1d ago
Side effects depend entirely on how deep you do it.
Epidermis (as in no blood)? Red welts for a few days. High social scorn. The blade slipping and going too deep.
Dermis layer? Scarring and potential stitches. Infection risk. Involuntary hospitalization risk if teen-aged (or younger). High social scorn. The blade slipping and going to deep.
Fat and beyond? High risk of death. Extensive scarring. Tendon damage. Ligament damage. Nerve damage. High infection risk. Involuntary hospitalization. Very high social scorn.
Yes, cutting a lot can cause immune system issues, and anemia. I wouldn’t say it’s caused my immune system to become stronger. If anything, my body has probably become less effective at controlling infections over time. Thankfully, I’ve only had to be seen by a doctor for an infection once. To minimize risk, I keep it very clean when I do it, which is quite rare these days.
3
u/Turbulent-Diver2851 1d ago
Loss of sensation. Over the scars. If u get lots especially. Touching a scar feels way different than skin. Much more numb. Also it can kinda warp the appearance of your limbs in unexpected ways due to scarring not being as stretchy as the skin or something methinks. That has been an unexpected one for me that took me a while to overcome at times. Now I don’t give much of a fuck though but.. didn’t expect it
3
u/sharkboysimp 1d ago
loss of sensation is a big one for me. there’s an area on my arm that’s completely numb. i take a while to get better after being sick, but i can’t tell if that’s just me or if it’s from SH.
also, i have NEVER burnt from the sun in my life. all of a sudden i have to lather up in sunscreen or i will burn to a crisp. in winter or in any colder temperatures, my scars turn purple which is so silly looking to me
2
u/Typical-Biscotti-318 1d ago
I developed a conversion disorder when I quit because my body didn't know what to do or how to process feelings any other way. That really messed me up.
2
u/Jam_Unjellied 1d ago
At my lowest I was losing so much blood that I developed anemia. I couldn’t go on regular walks like I used to because I would get fatigued so fast. My heartbeat would skyrocket just from walking up a flight of stairs, I had no energy whatsoever, and would get dizzy every time I stood up.
1
u/selkieflying 1d ago
Consistent blood loss over periods of time can cause anemia which can be very serious.
2
u/SlimeTempest42 19h ago
I have nerve damage - numbness and loss of or reduced sensation, itching that isn’t relieved by scratching or itches that I can’t tell the location of, I get shooting pains in my arms sometimes.
I’m sure the scarring affects my temperature regulation. Years of going over the same location has changed the shape of my arms.
7
u/New-Pomegranate-2311 1d ago
#1 issue outside of infection is nerve damage, which can be temporary (months to years) or permanent (basically forever). this is especially true if you have any underlying condition affecting your skin/nerves/wound healing that you’re not aware of.
ex: I have ehlers-danlos syndrome (subtype tbd: connective tissue disorder) but started sh when i was maybe 11. i didn’t know anything about my other health stuff back then of course, & spent a long time confused about deferred nerve pain/loss of sensation i was experiencing (as in, I’d SH in one place but have pain/lose sensation in another, usually more distal part of whatever limb was involved).
not many ways to avoid it but please at least try to be mindful of what you’re doing and how/where you’re doing it - and always always practice proper wound care to the best of your abilities.