Q: Can a person who is cutting themselves get any illnesses or complications?
A: Yes, cutting yourself on purpose (self-harm)—especially with unclean objects—can potentially lead to serious medical complications, including:
⚠️ 1. Lockjaw (Tetanus)
Possible? Yes, though rare.
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Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani, a bacterium found in dirt, rust, dust, and animal waste.
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If you cut yourself with something dirty or rusty, or the wound is deep and not cleaned properly, the bacteria can enter the body.
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One of the first signs of tetanus is lockjaw, followed by muscle stiffness, spasms, and even death if untreated.
🔹 Important: Tetanus can still occur even if the object isn’t rusty — the key risk is bacterial contamination.
✅ Prevention:
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Stay up to date on your tetanus vaccine (every 10 years).
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Clean all wounds immediately with soap and water.
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Seek medical attention for deep or dirty wounds, especially if your last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago.
⚠️ 2. Blood Poisoning (Sepsis)
Yes — absolutely possible.
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Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to infection in the bloodstream.
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A cut that gets infected (redness, pus, warmth, swelling) can spread bacteria through your body.
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Early signs of sepsis include:
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Fever or chills
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Rapid heart rate or breathing
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Confusion or extreme tiredness
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Nausea or vomiting
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If not treated quickly, sepsis can cause organ failure or death.
⚠️ Additional Risks of Cutting:
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Infection (including MRSA or cellulitis)
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Nerve or tendon damage
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Permanent scarring
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Mental health struggles like depression or anxiety worsening
🛑 If You or Someone You Know is Self-Harming…
Please know you are not alone, and help is available. Cutting often signals emotional pain, and there are better, safer ways to cope.
💬 Consider:
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Talking to a trusted friend, family member, or teacher
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Reaching out to a therapist or counsellor
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Contacting a mental health crisis line
Canadian Help Lines
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Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
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Kids Help Phone (for all ages): Call/text 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
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211 Canada: For local mental health support and resources
Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model
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