Help SH safety tips?

[Yume Nikki]

I'm planning to cut later today with a razor blade but I struggle with contamination OCD. My razor blades are newly bought but haven't been used in a year and are still in their original packaging. I still am anxious about getting an infection despite them being clean... Also, how will I be able to hide my SH scars from my family? I don't want to be sent to another hospital so I'll need to be careful. Also are some sh scars going to be permanent?

 

[rottenandabused]

First of all, I obviously recommend looking for an alternative coping mechanism.

Do you know how you usually scar? Mine is keloids, which happens from overproduction of collagen. But I noticed that if I keep bandages tight around the wound then the scarring process doesn't end up in keloids, also if I don't pick at the scabs.
Maybe you know that alcohol is too aggressive on skin, but saline solution does the trick in case you want to clean the surface before going all surgical. The easiest place to hide, but also the bloodiest are thighs. Be careful with going on the inner zone because there are a lot of blood vessels there.

Here's the list of infection risks that I know of:
- Rubbing excessively the wound against fabric.
- Touching it with unclean hands.
- Going to pools, jacuzzis, or any other body of water.

Remember doing aftercare, either to soothe your anxiety or to lower the risks of infection. Please, PLEASE don't use TP as a bandaid. It'll end up sticking to your skin and won't protect the wound from outer germs.
That's all I know. I don't know much because I like risking myself.

 

[derekWest]

i'm very sorry, but it is the purpose of doing this ?

I'm planning to cut later today with a razor blade but I struggle with contamination OCD. My razor blades are newly bought but haven't been used in a year and are still in their original packaging. I still am anxious about getting an infection despite them being clean... Also, how will I be able to hide my SH scars from my family? I don't want to be sent to another hospital so I'll need to be careful. Also are some sh scars going to be permanent?

 

[Yume Nikki]

First of all, I obviously recommend looking for an alternative coping mechanism.

Do you know how you usually scar? Mine is keloids, which happens from overproduction of collagen. But I noticed that if I keep bandages tight around the wound then the scarring process doesn't end up in keloids, also if I don't pick at the scabs.
Maybe you know that alcohol is too aggressive on skin, but saline solution does the trick in case you want to clean the surface before going all surgical. The easiest place to hide, but also the bloodiest are thighs. Be careful with going on the inner zone because there are a lot of blood vessels there.

Here's the list of infection risks that I know of:
- Rubbing excessively the wound against fabric.
- Touching it with unclean hands.
- Going to pools, jacuzzis, or any other body of water.

Remember doing aftercare, either to soothe your anxiety or to lower the risks of infection. Please, PLEASE don't use TP as a bandaid. It'll end up sticking to your skin and won't protect the wound from outer germs.
That's all I know. I don't know much because I like risking myself.

I don't know how much I scar unfortunately, a year and a half ago I was only able to do minor cuts because my contamination OCD wouldn't let me go any deeper. It didn't leave any permanent effects though, my only issue with scarring is that once it gradually heals, my family will see it and start to ask questions.

Should I wash my hands or take a bath before cutting just to be extra cautious of touching the wounds with dirty hands?

I have a first aid kit in case of infection thankfully, and I bought myself a few bandages that should be enough to hide them.

i'm very sorry, but it is the purpose of doing this ?

i'm in alot of mental pain, I lost 3-4 close friends. I keep getting ghosted by trying to make friends, and then there's the breakup I went through. My family does not care anymore and are exhausted from trying to get me help. I have no other way other then doing this.

 

[Someonewhotypes]

it sounds like it would bring more distress to you afterwards imo, maybe something else that doesn't break the skin

 

[Yume Nikki]

it sounds like it would bring more distress to you afterwards imo, maybe something else that doesn't break the skin

i've tried other methods such as the rubber band trick, but it doesn't help as much and i find it more painful than cutting. ive been to therapy and gotten hospitalized but nothing has helped.

 

[derekWest]

I don't know how much I scar unfortunately, a year and a half ago I was only able to do minor cuts because my contamination OCD wouldn't let me go any deeper. It didn't leave any permanent effects though, my only issue with scarring is that once it gradually heals, my family will see it and start to ask questions.

Should I wash my hands or take a bath before cutting just to be extra cautious of touching the wounds with dirty hands?

I have a first aid kit in case of infection thankfully, and I bought myself a few bandages that should be enough to hide them.

i'm in alot of mental pain, I lost 3-4 close friends. I keep getting ghosted by trying to make friends, and then there's the breakup I went through. My family does not care anymore and are exhausted from trying to get me help. I have no other way other then doing this.

why not try to reach hypocapnia state ? you will feel dizziness ! it is a little less dangerous, i think.

Breathing Exercises | Wim Hof Method

Learn how practicing breathing exercises helps keep down stress, improve sleep, and do many other things for your health & wellbeing.

www.wimhofmethod.com

 

[Yume Nikki]

why not try to reach hypocapnia state ? you will feel dizziness ! it is a little less dangerous, i think.

Breathing Exercises | Wim Hof Method

Learn how practicing breathing exercises helps keep down stress, improve sleep, and do many other things for your health & wellbeing.

www.wimhofmethod.com

how does it work? i've never heard of it until now. i don't think breathing exercise will help much since i suffer from panic attacks.

 

[2messdup]

i've tried other methods such as the rubber band trick, but it doesn't help as much and i find it more painful than cutting. ive been to therapy and gotten hospitalized but nothing has helped.

Ice on your skin instead of cutting?

 

[derekWest]

how does it work? i've never heard of it until now. i don't think breathing exercise will help much since i suffer from panic attacks.

you decrease your level of co2 by inpire/exhale quickly during a few minutes (sit down), then you stand up and hold your expiration. do it in a secure environment (no hard shape) bc when you fall, you can hurt yourself

 

[Yume Nikki]

Ice on your skin instead of cutting?

i dont feel much pain from ice, maybe a slight chilly sensation but im not sure if its enough to cause an effect

 

[TransTaxEvader]

I usually wrap mine in gauze and cover it with tan athletes tape to avoid risk of infection and to give it time to heal! I'll post a picture below. Make sure you clean the wound out with hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol, and sterilize your utility first as well.

 

[Yume Nikki]

you decrease your level of co2 by inpire/exhale quickly during a few minutes (sit down), then you stand up and hold your expiration. do it in a secure environment (no hard shape) bc when you fall, you can hurt yourself

i did a few breathing techniques but it made me more anxious in the long run

I usually wrap mine in gauze and cover it with tan athletes tape to avoid risk of infection and to give it time to heal! I'll post a picture below. Make sure you clean the wound out with hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol, and sterilize your utility first as well.View attachment 160911

noted, i hope your wound is feeling better. also the razor blades im using are fresh and haven't been used yet, should i sterilize it with 70% isopropyl alcohol anyway?

 

[TransTaxEvader]

should i sterilize it with 70% isopropyl alcohol anyway?

yes absolutely.

 

[2messdup]

i did a few breathing techniques but it made me more anxious in the long run

noted, i hope your wound is feeling better. also the razor blades im using are fresh and haven't been used yet, should i sterilize it with 70% isopropyl alcohol anyway?

No don't use that, or peroxide. Both are old fashioned and slow healing. Sterile saline is the best.

 

[rottenandabused]

Should I wash my hands or take a bath before cutting just to be extra cautious of touching the wounds with dirty hands?

Washing your hands properly will be fine. Reading your other comments, you should develop on therapy why exactly are you attracted to pain-inducing coping mechanisms. Have you tried journaling/diary before cutting? Or distracting yourself with comforting movies, shows and activities…