No feeling?

[Undefined Hero]

Okay, so... I have no feeling in my right arm up to my shoulder. I have nerve damage and It's been that way ever since I can remember. And I usually don't bother with it, and use it as a regular arm. But lately whenever I get really stressed, I stick needles in it. I do this at school with safety pins, and at home with sewing needles. It doesn't hurt, but people get freaked out about it and I sterilize the needles with alcohol and/or a lighter before I do it. Just general advice, maybe? Should I still be doing this? Even though I sterilize the needles, could I still lose my arm because of infections?

[Avalikia]

Oh, definately. Every time you break the skin, no matter how careful you are, it's possible to get infected. Sterilizing the needle and such makes it less likely, but it could still happen. And since a lot of signs of infection (heat, pain, etc.) are felt, that means you're less likely to detect it until it's really bad. So even though you can't feel it, it's still a bad idea.

[Undefined Hero]

Ah... Okay... but it's really hard not to do it. It's almost like a stress reliever for me now whereas it used to just be to show off to people...

[Sapphire]

This is self-harm so no, you shouldn't be doing this. It can really screw your life up by getting out of control. Even if you think everything is ok and that you have it under control, you never know when it will change.

You are still at risk of infection, even if you are sterlising them beforehand. Bacteria can enter the open wounds and result in infections. Infections in puncture wounds spread a lot more quickly than others do too meaning that there is a real risk of losing your arm.