Errr

[abedwell]

Basically, I bite my knuckle on my left index finger, and I have been doing for about 4 years. It heals very quickly, but everytime it heals I just bite it again; and it looks really bad and there is a lot of scare tissue there. I am fed up with strangers and people asking why it is there and I have to make up a story because I hate talking about it. Some people say 'well just dont do it then' but those are the people that dont understand, and usually if you talk to someone who has or does selfharm, they usually are much more understanding.

I dont know if you can call this self harm, but it is something I have been doing for a long time and it is causing issues; especially with other people and I dont really know what to do.
Will it ever heal?
Is there any way I can cover it up?

I would be very grateful of any help or anything

[xXl0sth0peXx]

I'm not exactly sure what the 'definition' of self harm actually is, (although according to wikipedia, it says "defined as the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue most often done without suicidal intentions."

So I guess it really depends. You are directly injuring the body tissue, so I suppose that would make it self harm, because you're deliberately doing it. That's just my opinion.

What you do sounds very similar to cutting, as it's like an addiction. Once you start, you can't stop, and then you have to lie about it.

To answer your questions, It may heal someday, I don't know. If normal scars heal, then this should, I would guess. As for covering it up, I don't really know if you can wear a band aid on your knuckle, so unless you want to wear gloves, I don't know if there is a way.

Skipping back up to your first post, I know how hard it is. I've been using self harm for almost a year, and it is so much harder to stop than just saying stop. It's so hard for people to understand unless they do it.

Good Luck! :x

[senior.2013]

Ive never done any form of self harm, but from what I have seen and heard, I try my best to help. Biting your knuckle is your release like the blood is for most cutters. Something usually triggers it, but I am sure youve heard it.

To answer your questions, some scar tissue will look normal eventuallybut some will remain looking smooth and like it is a scar. I don't know how you would cover it up, sorry.

I put this on all my posts because I mean it with my heart: You have plenty of people on here who are more than happy to help you. If all you need is someone to listen, I'm here. My email is under my contact info and feel free to click it any time.

[bobby1273]

When i was a little kid i bit my knuckles and did stop because they were starting to look a bit nasty (though it took a lot of will power). Theres no marks now but i probably didn't bite them as bad as you, the scars will fade over time and since they will always be in sun light that should help. My dad has messed up his knuckles because he's always doing DIY stuff etc, so you could use that reason, his scars and marks fade especially if he spends awhile gardening in the summer etc; but they are fairly hard and can crack easily. I don't know how you could cover it up but they should fade over time and hopefully by a lot, also as you get older i reckon people would be more accepting of them because every person at some point does DIY etc and so has some marks.

Though it would be really useful if you can stop so they can heal and fade etc, but i know how hard that is. Have you tried distracting yourself, find a hobby you really like (it doesn't have to include keeping your fingers busy, just your mind) though make sure you find it relaxing as well as keeping your mind busy, have you tried a musical instrument, sport, or drawing, or even just messing with computers (that has been a big distraction for of lol)?

I hope this has been some kind of help.

[abedwell]

Thanks very much for all your responses, it really means a lot to think that people care, I'm really grateful (:

best wishes