“Is it normal?” The binding edition

transgenderteensurvivalguide:

Yes:

  • Getting winded after walking quickly/upstairs with binder on, but able to catch breath
  • Chafing in the underarm areas
  • Soreness (during or after) in arms, shoulders, or back
  • Increased acne on chest or back
  • Mild anxiety about tightness
  • Chest sagging

No, take it off and rest, see a doctor if problem gets worse or doesn’t go away after taking the binder off (or after one week):

  • Nausea during or after binding, including nausea caused by pain
  • Bruising
  • Out of breath/can’t catch breath when not wearing binder
  • Skin rash
  • Sharp pains in ribs
  • Not able to cough or sneeze
  • Numbness in arms
  • Feeling too tired/sore to do everyday activities
  • Suddenly having any of the above symptoms even if you’ve been binding for years 

No, see a doctor ASAP, could be a sign of serious injury:

  • Anything from the above category if you can just tell/feel something is wrong, better safe than sorry
  • Extreme claustrophobia/panic attacks 
  • Sharp pain in chest/heart skipping beats or beating very fast
  • Not able to breathe  
  • Dizziness
  • Blueness in lips or fingertips
  • Change in shape of ribcage
  • Fainting