I cut too deep is there another besides stitches?

[againstthenorm92]

I've been a cutter since I was 14, I'm 19 now and I haven't cut daily though. I was actually "sober" from cutting for 18 months but then in December I relapsed and now I've done it 4 more times.

I cut myself last night on my thigh, that's where I usually do it. And It was really deep to where the skin just spread apart to where there's an open wood and it i feel like I should put some surgical tape to close it up..and HERES THE SCARIEST PART. There this little slit in the cut where some fat tissue is poking out....so I know I cut too deep. I can't get stitches though because then my mom will know and stuff. Could I buy some surgical tape to put over it to close it up and so it'll heal on it's own?

[EmisaurusRex]

Hey there,

You could try using butterfly stitches to hold it together. Since you did it last night, there's a good chance it's been too long for them to stitch it up at the hospital. If it's really deep though, it would prbably be a good idea to get it checked out by someone. When cuts are deeper, they're more likely to become infected and such. So, if you don't seek medical attention, please please please! keep it clean. Infections are not fun or easy to deal with.

That being said, I'm sorry you've been self-harming again recently. Is there something that triggered you back in December when you relapsed? I think it's amazing that you went 18 months without it...that's great! You can for sure get back to that.
If you haven't already, I want to encourage you to pop over to the alternatives thread and give it a peek. More than a peek, even You can find it at www.teenhelp.org/alternatives
It's a huge list of alternatives...things you can do instead of harming yourself. Since it's such a huge list, there are likely going to be things on there that don't help you all that much, so if the first few things you try aren't helpful...keep trying! You're bound to find something
Does anyone in your life know that you are struggling with this? Self-harm is a tough battle, and it is even harder when we feel we're fighting it on our own. I know you don't want your mom finding out. I'm not sure if that's because of pasts reactions she's had to your self-harm or if she's never known or what. But, if you don't want to talk to her, that's ok. Maybe you could try talking to a friend or another family member? Maybe a coworker or professor that you feel you can trust? It's not something to be ashamed of and it's not something that you have to face alone. You can get back to 18 months, and go far beyond that!

If you need anything, feel free to give me a holler. Take care

[caffeineislife]

know eney emts
emily is right butterfly stitches are good

[alex2010]

Yea, I would have to agree with the two replies above, butterfly stitches would be excellent. And last but not least sorry to hear that you caved after 18 months, but you just have to get back up and come back stronger and you'll be able to go longer than 18 months. I wish you good luck on getting back to 18 months free.

[buttercup13]

I cut myself really deep a few months ago. I couldn't go to the hospital because i was only 17 at the time and cps was involved with my family for a different reason and couldn't risk them finding out so i didnt go. My arm was gaping open and you could see fat tissue. I cleaned it put neosporin on it and covered it up. I kept it moist (neosporin 3-4 times a day) and kept it covered. It took awhile but it did eventually heal tho this scar is much thicker than the rest of mine. I'm not sure how bad yours is but my advice is to keep it clean covered and moist. Also i heard if you close a cut (stitches, butterfly tape, skin glue) after 8hrs after it happened there's a higher chance of it gettin infected. Not sure how true it is but that's why i didnt use butterfly tape on mine. Good luck