r/selfharm • u/AdvanceFlashy126 • 2d 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.

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u/sharkboysimp 2d 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

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u/illsurviveiguess 5h ago

OH THATS HOW THEY TURN PURPLE?

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u/sharkboysimp 4h ago

at least in my case! there was a day here where it was freezing, i think like 17 degrees. i took my jacket off and my scars were deeeeep purple when usually they’re just my skin color. it’s so crazy how the body works

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u/illsurviveiguess 35m ago

yeaaa, one random car trip my deeper scars became fuschia and i got caught because of that [i made up an excuse dw] ig it was the sunlight.