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Post by xkxlovex3x on Feb 18, 2010 19:29:17 GMT -5
i'm 12years old, and i have a BIGGG problem with scalp picking, i used to think i was the only one in the universe who did it and i JUST got my hair done, it burend soo baddly when they dyed it and i knew it would! BUT I COULDNT HELP PICKING AT THE SCABS BEFORE I GOT IT DONE!!! I HAD GONE 3 WEEKS WITHOUT DOING IT THEN I WENT TO ITCH MY HEAD I HAD A BIIGGG ITCH, i itched it and started feeling my head, then i found it...the bump where the scab was almost heeled....i picked it off and started to feel mad becausse i was soo close. :-X but it's something i cant help. but now i realise its completely normal and common, i started last year in the 6th grade, (age 11) and it was becasue i had a itch on the back of my neck where my hair started and i felt a bump? so i picked it, and i felt an urge to pick again, and that was that. i've been reading articles for the past 30 minutes on how to stop and wanna know what i did the entire time? i picked my scalp ... :l but i'm going to stop and check back in here to tell you all how it's going, because just because it's normal to do it, and just because it's very common doesn't mean i don't wanna stop really bad, it's a horrid habbet and it's embarressing, no one know's about it though, thank god :D but, i do it in public since i put my hands on my head alot because every one know's i get very bored easily so i just lay my head on my hand, and what i do is i sit there and act like i'm scratching my head, but im atchully picking :[ so i guess there might be know hope for me since im sooo secritive ;P ...i hope there is. wish me luck, as of NOW i'm going to stop i'll check in everyday to let you all know how im doing. :] 8-)
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Post by bootboots on Mar 3, 2010 1:53:58 GMT -5
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Post by Justarandomperson on Mar 3, 2010 11:32:08 GMT -5
Well, I started picking at my scalp in a while, maybe a couple times throughout a year from 13 years old to fifteen. Then, I stopped completely until I turned 17 and fell ill. Once I was sick, I think it was a way to control what was out of my control, or at least an attempt to, since that doesn't change what's going on in a person's life, obviously. But, I was in control of THAT pain, so I just kept doing it, and now I'm trying to stop before it gets more out of control than it already is. I probably pick about once a week or two or less, now. I try to distract myself or think about what other people who don't do it may think (about how gross it is). That only helps so much, though. Really what helps me the most has been to figure out what is missing in my life and why I believe that picking my scalp will replace what is missing when IT WON'T. For me, it's my body image. I know I don't have OCD or anything like that. It's basically my mind trying to tell me to stop having a WEAK will to change. In church, for example, the preacher was telling us how he was a cocaine addict for a while (which you would never guess if you saw him today) and he was talking about dead weight and how you're carrying your old you around on your back when you should have just buried him a long time ago, and moved on to being your new self. Well, I'm scared to change, so I keep the problem going. The old problems go along with your old self. The only way to get rid of those issues is to bury the you who is picking. That might sound stupid to some people, but that has helped me. Basically, you have to work up YOUR WILL to change. You have to really feel that you want to in order to do it, right? So, just work up your will to change it.
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Post by justarandomperson on Mar 3, 2010 12:00:31 GMT -5
Also, I was thinking another way to help yourself move on from that and strengthen your will to change is to get a good idea of and feel of what you WANT to be and feel like. And want you want to be rid of; tell yourself in your mind "bad, bad, bad" and let yourself know you're doing something bad and you're not disciplining yourself in controlling your emotions. Train yourself like you would your child or dog. You wouldn't want them to do that, so why would you want to keep it up yourself? You, for some reason or another, feel that picking is RELIEVING. That's the main reason why you do it, which is probably from stress or missing something in life. So, replace the word relieving (when you think about picking) with BAD. That's how it makes you feel afterward, because you wish you wouldn't do that. You know it's gross, it makes you feel gross. There's really nothing good about it. So, don't make excuses and look at the reasons why you do it to find a reason to stop. And, it wouldn't hurt to feel ashamed or guilty for doing that to yourself afterward. Think of yourself as two people: the child version of yourself and the grown up version. You have to order yourself to stop. I hope that helps.  |
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Post by jeanie on Mar 6, 2010 17:52:56 GMT -5
I've been Scalp picking for many years! I remember working in a hospital and getting a lump appear behind my ear. One of the Dr's checked it out and asked if I had a scalp injury. Of course I denied it and at once knew that my Scalp picking was the cause!
I can't go a day without picking my scalp and have had comments like, " You'll get splinters". Some days are better than others but I always have scabs to pick. It's worse in the evenings or when I go to bed. If I ever had to have Chemo and lost my hair, my scalp would look like the moon, all pitted! I know it's up to me to have the will power to stop but I can't!!!!!
So glad to have found this site and to know I'm not alone!!!!
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Post by Samantha on Mar 25, 2010 19:01:12 GMT -5
I cannot believe other people do the same thing I do. I feel around my scalp, looking for the same scabs I already have. As soon as the smooth runs out and I start feeling the coarse scab, it is like this helmet that I must just pick off. When it is smooth I am done. I also notice I pick at my face if I feel a bump, and I become obsessed with trying to remove all clogged pores or anything that doesn't feel smooth. I also (when I was like 3 or 4) used to pull my eyelashes out. I would feel for the one that was abnormal and pull it out. I have noticed all these traits go hand in hand and I have not told anyone in my life but my fiance. I have very small bald patches and my skin always has some blemish from me trying to get it perfect. I realized I do this anytime my hands are idle. So now that I am about to turn 25, I realized that it is enough. I am super OCD and have figured out a way to make my urges less aggressive to pick. First, for my scalp, I have resorted to washing my hair every night with a tea tree oil shampoo (someone else had suggested it) and every night when I take this shower, I go through the same steps and avoid the mirror. When I am done with the shower I basically tell myself that anytime I pick at myself I am making myself dirty so I think of that anytime I get the urge to pick. Even when I run my fingers through my hair, because of the tea tree, all the oil is gone and most of the scabs have healed overnight. For the face, I wash it 3 times a day and anytime I am idle or get the urge to pick, I put either neosporin on the scab or a mask on my face so that my fingers can not "pick". I also have begun putting Sally Hansen "Nail Growth" nailpolish on. I will put on about 2 coats every night, and if I get the urge to pick I will pick at the nailpolish and it keeps me busy all day. Because it simulates the "flake" that I am trying to remove it gets rid of the tension without me picking. I am still struggling and I keep telling myself I can do it. I don't know if these techniques will work for anyone else, but because all of you were so brave and honest I figured I could try and share my experience as well. Good luck to all of you, and best wishes! |
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Post by katie37a4ab on Apr 6, 2010 23:22:38 GMT -5
[c finally! somebody besides me has this problem!! yes; it is embarrassing & nobody gets why we dig at sores on our heads so that they won't heal. I will say that cider vinegar does help with the itching. my husband wants me to visit a dermatologist. fungal infection; I can't imagine why or how you would get that. also maybe hypnosis?? hey; it works sometimes for smokers. at this point; I am ready to try just about anything. because I don't want this cumpulsive itching/ digging problem forever!!  sorry; just abit frustrated. take care, pennsylvania. olor=Red][/color] I cant even believe that there is a site dedicated to scalp picking. I have been picking my scalp since--wow like ten years now...I can remember my mom picking at hers, and it seems that it is now my problem. Its really bad...I pick when I watch TV and constantly have dandruff on my shirt, on the couch, in my bed on my pillow. I will lie in bed as I fall asleep and pick. I will pick at work, and then worry about it. I pick and pick so there are tons of flakes in my hair and then I stand in the washroom so long getting all the chunks out that it hurts my back and my feet. I cant stop. My boyfriend is always telling me to stop, but I cant. Just sitting here thinking about it makes me want to pick. I dont have huge scabs or anything, but it is gross just the same. I used to just pick at the back, so nobody could tell, but now its all along the sides of my ears, and even in the top front of my head. its so bad. I had no idea it could be an OCD kind of thing. I need help so bad. |
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Post by childhood habit on Apr 30, 2010 8:39:58 GMT -5
ive had eczema psoriasis and atopic dermatitis since i was born.. its been a childhood habit since i can remember.. even when i was a baby i would scratch myself raw till i bled. my mother taped hotpad holders on my hands and i was on a bottle till i was 4 because i always chose the bottle over scratching.. i have scars to this day and the patterned hasnt stopped.. my legs are ATROCIOUS with little red scabs and sores.. its almost my 19th birthday on the 6th of may, and i wont even be able to wear a skirt or shorts at this rate.. and summer it approaching and i'm ashamed of my legs. i cant help picking because i some how make myself think im making them better every time i pick, even though i know im just making them worse... i just cant stop :/ any help?
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Post by madam on May 11, 2010 15:59:44 GMT -5
Seborrheic dermatitis is the medical term for dandruff. Dandruff is an incredibly common condition, but really is only a nidus for the compulsion that is picking. I agree that the things prescribed by your dermatologist may help to decrease the desire to touch your scalp, but the really difficult thing is to try to change the behavior. Has anyone tried replacing the picking behavior with an alternative one when the urge arises. I've heard this recommended, but haven't found a suitable alternative myself. It sucks!
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Post by monkeygirl on May 19, 2010 21:24:21 GMT -5
wow. i have found my true underlying obsession and compulsion: picking! I have read through the posts and totally relate. I pick at my scalp, and have a little bald spot now :-( I am ashamed and feel gross and self-conscious. I pick at the hairs in my chin mercilessly. I want to get laser treatment for that so there will be no more hairs to pick at. I'm on prozac and have klonopin (1 per day) and it helps somewhat but geez the compulsion is so strong that I find I pick my scalp a lot. and I too want to see what comes out! like a monkey! my Mom gave this to me, she would always scratch her head and then shake her hair to see the flakes come out. well my head is so clean that i don't have flakes so i just make a scab and pick at it. i pick at my husband's head but not until it hurts. I just realized how bad this problem really is. I tried all day today not to pick, and did a good job, until tonight. :-( I have a psychiatrist too and she can help me some with treatment ideas.
wow. I thought I was kind of alone too on this skin picking thing. I pick at my thumbs too but don't do this too much when i get my nails done. thank God!
there is hope for us.....some people recover, right?
peace
monkeygirl
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Post by monkeygirl on May 19, 2010 22:14:15 GMT -5
so....how do we stop picking at our scalps? I'll try the medicated shampoo and neosporin on my scalp, and shorter nails. I'll also talk to my psychiatrist about it, she happens to specialize in the hair-pulling, which I don't do, mostly just the scalp-picking and nail-picking.
and..why? it must feel good at some level to go into that trance-state and just pick away, hoping to get some big pieces. what is that about? i feel productive if I'm getting some good flakes. but why? it's DEstructive, not pro-ductive! then my scalp hurts and especially when I take a shower. and then the guilt and shame and self-consciousness sets in. my step-daughter told me I have a bald spot now, I didn't really know it. :-( so I have to face the facts: I have this strange compulsion and it's getting WORSE, not better.
why? I wasn't abused as a child. emotionally neglected perhaps, but not abused. stable household, church every sunday, yes we were whipped and with a belt sometimes, but is this abuse?? so many questions.......
I find I pick at night, like when it's "MY" time to unwind. but it does not help me relax. it's trance-like but it's not relaxing to pick away at one's scalp until it hurts.
well I find it all interesting, and I hope I can stop. I'm 39 and just started the head-thing this year after a LOT of stress (marriage failing, etc).
Let's hope we all find some peace,
monkeygirl
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canadian scalp picker
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Post by canadian scalp picker on May 25, 2010 16:49:30 GMT -5
Hey everyone I've rread tons of the post on here and it sounds just like me!! ive been picking scabs on y scalp for about a year i am 15 years old
it started out i tryed growing my nails long but when i scratched my head once and i had accidently cut my head and then a scab formed
i kept picking it because it was in a noticably area on my part in hopes it would just disappears but it kept coming back and back and whenever i started scratching my head now i would until it scabbed now ive been doing it for a year!!! A YEAR! and people have said to me oh hey your head is bleeding but i just try to ignore them cause I KNOW i did it myself not purposly though i do it in class subconciously when im daydreaming my hands just go up to my head to pick
i have been looking for ways to clear up the TONS i know have all over my scalp and i found that tea tree antiseptic creme that has worked well for only have been using it for a couple days now
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Post by C on May 26, 2010 5:22:35 GMT -5
to gina, O.M.G. it is really scary that pretty much exactly same thing happened to me!! i also pick at my ears and scalp! i found that i normally did this while i was stressed or zoned out in class and its really embarassing as i never knew if anyone saw! i didnt want them to think i was grot or anything  i found out that the scalp condition i had actually was seborrheic dermatitis but that didnt explain my picking problem. then about 4 years ago the itching on my legs spreading all the way up my body and arms started and i have even woken up as i was scratching in my sleep! since then i have found that various things have eased the itching - it is now not as bad as it used to be but it is still embarassing to have welt like scratches up and down ur arm in public!! everyone thinks ur diseased!! anyway sorry im just really shocked that someone is going through something so similiar to me! |
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Post by Ashley on Jun 3, 2010 18:07:44 GMT -5
omg i cannot believe i found this board. i didnt know that anyone else dealt with this problem. i have psorasis, and i sit at my desk in school and pick, and not only that i eat what i pick out. people think im so gross but i can't stop cause i think it tastes good, and when i get a big chunk and put it in my mouth and enjoy the taste, then i keep digging for more because i want that same taste. i pick at bloody pimple too because i enjoy the taste. its so nice to know that other people are suffering as well i want to know why i do it, im afraid to talk to my counselor about it
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Post by Casey on Jun 9, 2010 19:14:39 GMT -5
This habit is horrid. We should all go and tell scientists to start making a cure. I am a 13 year old boy and can not stop picking! It started as a small habit like digging for dandruff and eating it. :-Xthen small scabs formed, which scared me to pick 'cause they'd BLEED! I got over that and now have 4 bumps that I pick. I found whenever I get the urge, picking at my shirt helps. I get a bi-product, which is really the purpose of skin picking. Although this bi-product is stringy, I chew it and the urge goes away. Each time you get the urge to pick, try this. E-mail me to tell me how this is working. And if you do find a definate cure, tell me. My email is superacs@me.com. I also used to pick my eyelashes, but stopped when I started this. They're on their way to being fully grown ;D. I'm afraid I might start to pull out my hair, which would disgust me. I hope we can all find a cure for this NASTY habit, and live normal lives. Thanks fir the support!
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sorry; just abit frustrated. take care, pennsylvania.
i found out that the scalp condition i had actually was seborrheic dermatitis but that didnt explain my picking problem.