i cut myself and i don't know why i did it and i'm afraid it might get infected?

Question

well you always hear about people "cutting" themselves and "emo" kids and i didn't want to, i always thought it was silly... but just went through i don't know what, and usually when i'm down i binge, or well there was a phase with alcohol, but i was in the shower, and i just felt so hopeless and i was shaving and i don't know why, but i cut myself. on purpose, and i saw the blood coming out, and it i don't know, i did it again because it was interesting, and i don't know what came over me... anyways i'm sorry this is really stupid. i used a razor that had been sitting outside. and well now the cuts are stinging and they're a bit swollen. i don't want it to get infected... what do i do? please don't judge i have no idea why this happened... and any suggestion on how to cover this up for school? i really don't want anybody to worry...

Answer 1

Cutting yourself is not good, no matter how much better it makes you feel. There is help.

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/cutting.html

Self Harm Hotline

1-800-DONTCUT

Help for "cutters"

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Here is a list of alternative things to do whenever you get the urge to cut:

*Massaging, rubbing or slapping the area where you want to cut
*using a marker or face paints to draw the marks on their body where they would have hurt themselves
*holding an ice cube against their skin or putting their hand/arm under very cold water
*wearing a rubberband around their wrist and snapping their skin with it
*brushing your skin with a toothbrush
*using boxing gloves and punching a punching bag
*having a special something (a stuffed animal, a stone, a photograph of someone they love) to hold or look at for comfort
*wrapping up tightly in a blanket and sitting in a comfy chair.
*taking a warm bath or shower, especially after hard exercise.
*rocking yourself, either in a rocking chair or just with your body.
*listening to audiotapes that are soothing, such as nature sounds, someone's voice who comforts you (perhaps reading stories), or music you really like
*going to a safe place, either to a physical place or a place in your imagination you have created for this purpose.
*hammering
*running or swimming
*stomping on soda cans
*doing yard work
*throwing objects
*pounding pillows or a mattress
*walking or other forms of exercise
* shredding tissues or paper, especially in situations where more expansive physical activity isn't possible
*breathing; take deep breaths and exhale all the way; repeat for 5 minutes
*stroking your arm or leg or stomach or other hand with your hand, focusing on the sensation when your skin touches your skin.
*stomping your feet until you feel them
*drinking a cup of hot tea or ice water, and focusing on how the temperature changes in your mouth and stomach
*call a friend, a help line or call your therapist
*read a book
*take a hot shower
*watch a movie or better yet go to the movies
*write in your journal
*knit or crochet

*write a letter to the person you're angry with (you don't have to send it)
*write to mailing lists
*play computer games
*read emotional stories, they help you to get out your own emotions.
*watch a comedy
*make a list of all that you care about and everything you love
*carry safe stuff in your pockets,these can include stones, crystals, small books, stress relieving squishy things, anything that feels right to you.
*find something to do to keep both your hands and your brain
occupied. puzzles where you have to re-arrange tiles into a whole picture, a game where you have to press buttons to turn off a pattern of lights. The idea of restoring order, of being in control of something can help some people get through the unsafe, unbalanced, scary times.

*learn the Diablo... being able to keep it spinning on its string, balanced, correcting it as it tilts one way or the other is also a great way for me to focus on getting that same sort of balance internally. Plus the physical motion required to keep it spinning keeps my arms and my brain busy.. not to mention that learning new tricks is great fun.
*collage work ... tearing bits from magazines, newspapers, and sticking them onto paper..
*make a reality check list, write down or make a mental list of all the things you can list about where you are now.. (my feet are feeling carpet, the walls are yellow, there is a table in front of me, this is 2:35am on Sunday September 2, I am 35 years old.. and so on.)
*get sensory input, aromatherapy oils are great for this, or even imagining a strong smell, like new mown grass, or coffee.
*getting a haircut, the combination of the snipping sensation and the slight pampering was a good 'halfway' measure
*dyeing my hair red sometimes helps - the wonderful sight when you rinse of all this red liquid flowing down the plug hole is very cathartic.
*get a red crayon or piece of chalk and scribble on a large piece of paper or the sidewalk. Make it as red and as dark as you can covering the entire piece of paper or section of sidewalk.
*to try and think (out loud or in your head) in another language to the one you usually speak
*painting fingernails (especially dark red)
*saying the alphabet backwards (although sometime can be dangerously frustrating)
*combing my hair
* ripping up paper or fabric or whatever I can get my hands on



Here are a couple of books you may be interested in:

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A Bright Red Scream: Self-Mutilation and the Language of Pain by Marilee Strong

In addition to a psychological focus, also investigates possible neurological and chemical changes that both abuse and cutting can cause. Potentially **Major Trigger**

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Bodily Harm by Jennifer Kingsonbloom, Karen Conterio, Wendy Lader

The Breakthrough Healing Program for Self-Injurers

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Understanding Self-Injury: A Workbook for Adults Robin Connors, Kristy Trautmann

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Women Who Hurt Themselves: A Book of Hope and Understanding by Dusty Miller

Reviews indicate there may be major triggers in the book

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I hope you find at least some of this helpful

Answer 2

For the cuts... You need to apply some peroxide, may sting a little, but not like the cut. Then apply neosporin, and a simple bandaid. That is if it has quit bleeding and has clotted. If it is very deep, you may need stitches. Also, it would be good to make sure you've had a tetanus shot within the last 5 yrs. If you go to the hospital though, you need to know that they will do a mental evaluation, and will probably keep you there for a period of time. Long sleeves is the best suggestion as far as 'cover up'.
This is something that is common nowdays. It is called self mutalation, and yes, alot of people do it. This is a way of releasing pain that you feel on the inside, but it is not a healthy habit to start and you will have scars to deal with and explain the rest of your life.
You need to go to a doctor and seek some type of counseling. If you don't feel like you can talk to your parents about this, or if that's not an option, go to a counselor at your school. They can assist and direct you to someone that you can talk to, that's what they are there for. Please do not continue to do this, there are always people to talk to, it may just not be the people of your choice. Feel free to email me anytime.

Answer 3

First, I really suggest you see a mental health professional. This will slowly spiral out of control if you don't get a handle on it.

For the cuts, it's hard to go wrong with something like Neosporin and a sterile covering (like a bandage, or some gauze) in the short run. If the cut area gets big and red and nasty, it is infected, and you should see a doctor.

You didn't say where you cut yourself, so I'm not sure I can advise you on how to cover up.

Answer 4

those cut/bruises/skin torn really have that burning effect for a few days. you're just panicking because of the the burning sensation that the wound is giving you, you're not infected don't worry. you just need to dry those wounds and everything will be fine. avoid frequently washing your wound with water so that it can dry fast.

Answer 5

i think you need to seriously see a theripist. its not that you dont know why you did it. you do know or obviously you wouldnt have done it, you said you felt hopeless and you did it on purpose. so you need some help. and sense you are on here telling us about it. you are asking for help. and that is what we are here for. you also need to maybe go and get a tatinus shot. because of the razor beind old and rusty you can never be too safe. depends on how bad the cut is. if its small enough you could put a bandade on it. but back to the most important part. GO SEE A THERIPIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOU REALLY NEED TOO> TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF PLEASE

Answer 6

That is the greater worry. Not the infection, but the 'why'.
If it bled alot, that is a good sign(as the possible germs get washed out with the blood that is leaving) A simple band aid should do the trick. As your system will clot up the hole as it makes repairs to itself.

Answer 7

just keep it clean and it should not get infected, for trying to cover it up if it is the arm keep ur book their it mit annoy u a little bit but people wont be able to see them when ur up and when ur down in a desk keep the side on a desk if on legs were long pants or jeans watch everything u do b/c will be able to see them if u don't I know for a fact they will my friends hated that i cut myself on purpose

Answer 8

hi hon... i'm sorry you're going through this.

self-injury is not uncommon, and i sure hope you are ok..

try using peroxide on the cuts, and antibiotic ointment as well.

I have posted a few websites here for you, and hoping that if you feel like taking the time to look, they might help you in some way. hugs

Answer 9

is it deep?

get some saline solution.... and rinse it..and then put a sterial dressing on it.

if its really deep.... got to the ER... may need stitches....

covering it up at school...long sleevs? those cool wrist bands that sports people wear... but there are cool ones.... maybe sharing with yer friends wont hurt... get some support?

and dont do it again... such a bad habit to get into and can be hard to break

Answer 10

We know that when you cut you get a rush like an orgasm. Your lower brain rerouted the signal to the pleasure section to make endorphins to help you feel better. You were very depressed when this was established as a logic patch. All female cutters do this and they get over it by having a real love when they are older and they see love is a better type of orgasm.