Source
r/NoStupidQuestions•
MathieuFunction

What are some convenient or creative stories for 'covering' self-inflicted wounds?

Unanswered

I'm not sure where else to ask this and I couldn't fit it properly into the title, but I recently did something stupid and now my arms visibly covered in deep cuts. I rarely do this and when I do I keep it to some place out of sight, but now I'm afraid to go out like this because there's no way the wounds will heal properly, they'll scar. I guess they're typical self-harm cuts, they're just straight cuts across my forearm, but there are more than 20 of them and some are really deep, and I can't think of a solid explanation as to why they would be there (barring the truth, obviously).

If anyone has some ideas or even just a better sub for me to pose this question please let me know. Also feel free to take the question however you like, I mean troll answers or jokes and whatever, but any serious answers will be much appreciated. I really don't want to wear long sleeves for the rest of my life....

Posted May 23, 2015, 4:58 PM UTC

36
[deleted]•

Please take a look at some of the following resources for help.

  • 1-800-DON'T-CUT – More info on self-injury

  • http://www.selfinjury.com and https://self-injury.net/resources/hotlines – Referrals for therapists and tips for how to stop.

  • 1-800-273-TALK – A 24-hour crisis hotline if you're about to self-harm or are in an emergency situation.

  • To Write Love On Her Arms (http://www.TWLOHA.com) - A non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

  • 1-800-SUICIDE – Hotline for people contemplating suicide.

  • 1-800-334-HELP – Self Injury Foundation's 24-hour national crisis line.

  • 1-877-332-7333 – Real Help For Teens' help line.

  • http://www.nshn.co.uk/- Forum for group help in the uk

Please see a doctor if the cuts are deep or are becoming infected. You shouldn't lose your arm over fear of what a doctor might think of this, infections are very dangerous. Here is a way to tell if you have an infection: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/symptoms-of-infection-after-a-skin-injury.

Finally, see your friends and family about this, they want to help you. If you really won't do anything but hide it then cover your whole arm with a cloth bandage. Say you fell and scraped your arm. This works for both arms as if you tried to catch yourself when you feel and badly scraped it on concrete. Say its a burn from hot water if its just one arm. Buy scar cream and it'll help the skin to not scar while it heals.

2
fadedponds•

I don't know how deep they are, but for any wounds that are gaping, pick up some butterfly bandages to hold them closed so they'll hopefully scar less.

As for excuses for them... Short term, while they heal, covering your arm(s) completely and saying you fell and scraped them or something is probably your best bet. Long term, I really can't think of any excuse that would make people think it wasn't self harm. Granted, I haven't actually seen your scars so I can't say that for sure. As someone who's had self-inflicted cuts on their arms, the only thing I did was just cover them while they healed and wait for the colour to fade a little before I showed them in public.

If you ever need to talk, I definitely would encourage you to contact some of the resources given in the top comment. You can also message me if you'd like. I may not be able to offer great advice, but I do have experience with self harm and I can offer a listening ear.

2
d0ntbl1nkk•

You could say you fell into a thorn bush or something

0
Steelsoldier77Hey Hi Hello•

You could tattoo over it

-1
MathieuFunctionOP•

I was thinking of that too, but I don't like the idea of getting tattoos just for the sake of having them or getting them frivolously with no thought behind them. It's an okay option in the long term, I think, but I need something I can do/afford right now.

-1
_autotrophic_•

I have a tattoo on my forearm that not only covered some scars like these, but stopped me from being tempted to create new ones and ruin the tattoo. I had a few non-visible tattoos before this one, and for a long time i didn't like the idea of having permanent artwork that i wouldn't be able to hide if it was ever necessary for work or whatever. Then I realized that I was very self conscious about the scars, and going to great lengths to hide my arms all the time anyway, regardless of the social situation, and it was embarrassing when people saw why. Getting the tattoo instead was extremely empowering, and is a constant reminder of the strength it took to get this far. People look at scars and are afraid to talk about them, but they may ask about the tattoo and at that point you can choose to tell your story, or not. Maybe not a solution for right now, but definitely something to think about it the future. It felt like having control over my body again.

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

-3