SI Question - Purple wound

-Shae-Lynn* · 08-01-2010, 04:18 AM

I did a search and could not find anything about this, so hopefully I'm not asking a question that's been asked a million times. If so, I'm very sorry!!

The last 4 or 5 days I've been cutting in the same spot. It's an area that I've cut on before, let scar and then cut again. I haven't really been cutting deep, but it's an excessive amount of shallower cuts. I've been losing a fair amount of blood each time I cut to the extent that I get cold and if I haven't eaten kind of shaky. Anyways, I noticed today that underneath the cuts my skin is purple. Is this normal? The area has been through a lot of trauma recently and I wasn't sure. I'm thinking it's just like a bruise since it's been bleeding so much, but I wanted to check as I've never gotten a bruise from cutting before.

Thank you!!

Aidee · 08-01-2010, 06:53 AM

It is most likely bruising from blood becoming trapped in the skin.

You also need to see a doctor if you are getting cold and shaky. It would also be a good idea to look into some alternative coping mechanisms to help you stop cutting in that area.

SkiesBlue · 08-01-2010, 08:11 AM

Being cold and shaky can be a sign that your body is going into shock or that there is too much blood loss, either of these is not good, and can cause serious damage. If at all possible,, and I know its difficult, you need to try and refrain from cutting for a while to give your body a chance to recover.

Animad · 08-01-2010, 06:12 PM

Also, the signs of shock, if you are showing these are signs that you need to get checked out even if the cuts aren't deep as that can potentially cause damage. But I agree with aidey on what it is likely to be as well as maybe you need to consider getting more support and you need to give the area a chance to fully heal, cutting over scars increases healing time and makes the tissue weaker and so the cuts can be more prone to infection as they are open longer.

However, shakiness can be normal after cutting because of the adrenaline release. If you're generally pale and tired then go and see your doctor as it may be you're anaemic and so may need treatment for that which has multiple causes.