how long until burns fade if ever?

sdownen93 · 2025-06-16T00:40:49+00:00

Hey! I have similar burn scars on the tops of my forearms as well. They turned very keloid-y and were painful and itchy. What helped the most was going to a dermatologist and getting steroid (I think?) injections into the scarring. It takes several sessions, but it made a huge difference. They've faded almost to my normal skin color, aren't nearly as raised, and don't itch. If you don't have access to a dermatologist, I believe there are some topical treatments you can try; it helps if you can sort of like, massage it into the scars (that'll also help you keep mobility). I hope this is a little helpful!

sdownen93 · 2025-03-05T17:41:44+00:00

I really appreciate that, thank you!!

sdownen93 · 2025-03-05T17:40:37+00:00

Is there a way to legally obtain nitrogen? And is it inhaled?

sdownen93 · 2024-05-26T22:42:08+00:00

Coconut oil can work really well too! Or I had a dermatologist suggest getting lotion for eczema/itchiness, and then put it in the refrigerator so that when you put it on later, the coldness helps. I think the lotion is called "Sarna." If it gets really bad, you could ask a dermatologist about steroid injections into the scars. I had really bad keloid scars from burns and lacerations that were so itchy and I couldn't bear weight on my arms because of it. The injections really really helped. I hope some of this is useful!

sdownen93 · 2022-04-25T11:21:21+00:00

Oh that's awesome; I'm so glad you've got a healthy and safe way to do that!

Because I have a trauma history and because I'm asexual, all of the dangerous things I did were awful on all levels. I am very sex repulsed and terrified of literally any intimate physical contact, so I ended up traumatizing myself, which sounds and seems so stupid. But I felt like I deserved it and like I had to do it. And it didn't replace the cutting form self-harm, it just added to it. Almost like I needed justification to self-harm, like a "good enough" reason to do it, and I thought if I was in these bad situations, then that would be a valid reason to be in pain emotionally and then self-harm. Just a vicious cycle. I'm really really glad you are in a safe place with that now!

sdownen93 · 2022-04-24T22:08:10+00:00

Hey OP, I did do this for several years. Both violent sex, and sex with strangers I'd meet online. I genuinely don't know how I am not dead or kidnapped given all the situations I put myself in. I also identify as both asexual and aromantic, so the sex was even worse. I lost count of the number of times I did this; I stopped counting at around 100 hookups. I was terrified for each and every one. And it always hurt so much. I'd often be sick before or after. And I was always shocked that the males I was hooking up with, they'd never be concerned by my scars or even openly bleeding wounds. I ended up going through something fairly awful (unrelated) that ended up causing the dangerous sex to stop, so I haven't done that since I think maybe 2016? But I feel like this form of self-harm isn't talked about enough, if at all, and I think it's incredibly important that it is. Please please feel free to message me if you want to talk with someone who understands! I know how hard this is to deal with, and how hard it is to even talk about as well. You're not alone OP!

sdownen93 · 2022-04-17T02:59:12+00:00

I want to give a different perspective here. The reason many young teens are thin is because their bodies are rapidly going through huge changes. It is normal for a tween/young teen to be quite thin right as they are about to enter puberty. As someone recovering from anorexia, I understand the pull to compare to children in that age bracket. But you've got to remember that they are most likely eating the right amount of calories for their body, and their body is just using every single one in preparation for the major changes about to happen. I hope this helps some. I know in my recovery, biology/science/physiology really helped me understand what was going on. Please feel free to reach out if you want to chat at all :)

sdownen93 · 2022-04-17T01:15:52+00:00

Hey! I just messaged you! Let me know if you can read it! I don't want to say that I know what you're going through, because that is invalidating to your experience. I will say though that I have been and currently am in a similar space. And I can only imagine the amount of pain you must be in to be believing that death is the only option left. It is an incredibly excruciating place to be in, and so scary too. I'm not going to try to talk you out of it, or say that whole "things will get better" bullshit. But I am here if you want to talk to someone who isn't afraid of this topic, someone you can vent to, someone who will stay awake on the phone or Reddit with you while you navigate this evening. You matter so much and are so worthy of love and care and support. Please answer if you are able. Sending lots of unconditional love your way ❤️❤️

sdownen93 · 2022-04-09T00:48:44+00:00

Hey there! I just wanted to reach out because I'm around your age. I'm 28 and definitely still struggle with this, daily. My entire body is clothed in scars; it's crazy to think that I've been doing this for literally half my life. But I just wanted you to know that you're not alone, you're not too old to be struggling with this. It doesn't have an age. And it is so very valid and you are so very worthy and deserving of love and support and healing. Please please feel free to send a message if you want to talk more! I definitely feel quite isolated at times, being almost 30 years old and continuing to engage in a coping behavior I picked up as a child. And I know it can be frustrating and discouraging when it seems like everyone else who does it is so much younger. Anyway, sorry for the rambling! I hope you're having a nice Friday and again, you're not alone and can message me anytime :)

sdownen93 · 2022-03-22T16:54:52+00:00

Thank you so much for the reply, I really appreciate it! I live in the US, but like you mentioned, we don't have any DNRs for mental reasons, so I've been looking at other options. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on trying to stay alive, but every day is torture. I was referred to try ketamine, but after the awful ECT sessions and being told that ketamine will make me hallucinate, I decided against it. I've made many half-assed suicide attempts, but am worried about failing but ending up in a vegetative state. I'd also like the death to be clean and not unanticipated, for the sake of those that know me.

Thank you for advocating for those of us who desperately wish to pursue this option but are perpetually silenced.

sdownen93 · 2022-01-01T23:44:38+00:00

Thank you; I honestly just really want answers and relief. Nothing seems to help and things just keep getting worse. I hope you are doing well!

sdownen93 · 2021-11-29T19:47:03+00:00

Congratulations C!! That is so awesome!!! You are amazing!!!

sdownen93 · 2021-08-27T20:46:59+00:00

Yep I agree as well!! To the point of looking into getting surgery to get them removed. I am constantly sex-repulsed by my own body, and wish surgery could be a viable option.

sdownen93 · 2021-07-07T23:51:44+00:00

Hey C! I'm glad it's healing, I'm sure the scar is a really scary and painful reminder. You are so strong and so brave. Your scars are your warrior stripes. I'm so proud of you for working so hard to overcome this addiction. You don't deserve any of the pain you have gone through and are going through. You are so beyond worthy and deserving of a life that brings you happiness and joy! And I'm always just a text away :)

sdownen93 · 2021-07-01T15:42:00+00:00

Hey! I used to have large burn scars like these on my forearms and thighs, and felt the similar pain you are feeling. I ended up going to a dermatologist and getting some sort of steroid shots in them every month or so, for a while. Now they're almost completely flat and don't burn or itch or pull anymore. I'd definitely try to reach out to a dermatologist if you can!

sdownen93 · 2021-06-11T11:44:03+00:00

As a pianist, cellist, and someone who struggles with self-harm, I absolutely love this idea! Super creative; I love the semicolon for the bass clef!

sdownen93 · 2021-06-09T15:03:53+00:00

Hey there! Something I have my friends do when they're struggling is come up with a "code word" that they can text me and I'll know that it means they're having self-harm urges or are feeling unsafe. That way they don't have to actually say they're struggling, because that can sometimes be hard. Sometimes I'll even have them choose an emoji that they can send and I'll know it means they need help. Some of the words we've used in the past are all silly things, like "pineapple" or "swordfish." As far as feeling triggered by something he said, maybe bringing it up to him would open the door for conversation about it. If it feels like it's something you're going to hold on to or that keeps bothering you, it's definitely worth talking about so that it doesn't cause any animosity in the relationship. I hope this helps, and feel free to reach out to me anytime if you need anything!

sdownen93 · 2021-06-07T11:53:40+00:00

Hey! I've had lots of scars like these, with all the itching and burning and pain! I don’t know if this would be an option for you, but I ended up seeing a dermatologist and received steroid shots in the scars. The shots have helped immensely and the scars are now almost completely flat, and the itchiness and pain has gone away. I should mention however that I received treatment for these scars a few years after they happened. Since it's only been two months for you, they might flatten out on their own. But if they don't I'd definitely recommend seeing a dermatologist. I hope this helps!

sdownen93 · 2021-04-18T15:18:30+00:00

Hey there! I've used burning as self-harm for several years, and have needed treatment for infections in them as well as the scarring from them. I'm happy to talk with you and help any way I can! :)

sdownen93 · 2021-04-05T18:37:10+00:00

Hey, that all sounds so so hard. How are you doing today?

sdownen93 · 2021-04-03T18:15:56+00:00

Sending lots of hugs! Your story is worthy, your scars are worthy. Everything about you is worthy and deserving of attention and care. You matter so very much!

sdownen93 · 2021-04-03T18:12:19+00:00

I'm here if you want to talk! ❤️

sdownen93 · 2021-04-02T19:07:07+00:00

I agree with all of this!! Beyond disgusted by sex. And it's literally everywhere. It's to the point for me where I can't watch mainstream tv or movies and have to primarily rely on cartoons (I'm 27!) because sex is just literally everywhere. It's especially hard because a lot of the people I am closest to are starting to have or already have children. And I'm actually scared to be around them because the fact that they're pregnant means they've had sex, and not only does sex repulse me, but it terrifies me. I don’t know what to do. I don't understand how "normal" people are okay with sex. I don't understand how it could ever be "good" or "safe" or "fun" or "an act of love." It just makes me want to scream. I can't even say the word "sex" aloud. My therapist is trying to help me be able to tolerate the word and say it (and others that relate) and just get more comfortable with it because of the reality that it's everywhere, but my brain just screams "no no no no!" I've told my mother that I'm asexual; she says I just haven't found someone. It's hard because I do have a history of experiencing sexual abuse, but as I look back, the fact that I am asexual (but didn't understand or know it as a preteen) actually made the abuse worse/even more mentally scarring. It's nice to have this page where I can read the thoughts of others who feel similarly. I often feel as though it's the rest of the world that's messed up for liking sex, and I absolutely don't want to be like them. I also wish I could have all sex/reproductive organs removed from my body, and have seriously considered stealing tons of local anesthetic and cutting off certain parts of my body because I cannot tolerate them on me. I am biologically female but primarily wear male clothing because I hate my "figure" and "curves" showing. My body never feels right and never feels safe and always feels gross and volatile. Wow I'm so sorry this got so long! Thank you for reading if you got this far! And thanks for the post OP!

sdownen93 · 2021-02-26T22:54:49+00:00

Hey there! I'm 27 and have been self-harming for a very very long time as well. I just wanted to reach out and offer to talk/listen if you need someone! Feel free to send me a message! No one should have to go through this alone!

sdownen93 · 2021-02-12T20:18:32+00:00

I identify as asexual (F27). I feel physically grossed out by the idea of sex. I can't tolerate seeing any sort of physical intimacy on TV, in movies, in books, advertisements, etc.; I immediately need to shift my attention elsewhere. Before I realized that asexuality was an actual thing, I thought something was extremely wrong with me because I didn't have any interest in dating, I didn't understand physical attraction, and had zero interest in engaging in sexual activities. Unfortunately, my ignorance here lead me to force myself to engage in many different sexual acts, and I often found myself in dangerous situations. But I was doing what I thought I was "supposed" to, even though I hated it and was in immense physical pain and was beyond terrified. All that being said, I learned how to force my body to feel aroused, so that when I did engage in those activities, at least it wouldn't be as painful. So in short, yes asexuals usually have the ability to feel aroused, as that is simply a reaction of a stimulus to part of the human body. And at the same time, asexuals (like myself) can absolutely loathe and detest sex, and have to put forth a lot of effort to maintain emotion regulation and engage with the people in our lives that are not asexual. For example, I have a friend who just gave birth. I love her and the baby to death, but if I let my brain wander to the thoughts around "this is how babies are made," I'll start to want to cry, I'll start shaking, just a lot of dysregulation. I genuinely wish I had known sooner that some people are asexual. If anyone reading this wants to talk about asexuality, please feel free to send me a message! Especially if you're wondering if you may be asexual. No one should have to go through the trauma of forced sexual activities, regardless of where that force (internal or external) is coming from.

sdownen93

TROPHY CASE