Medical Questions > Mental Health > Self Injury Forum

Scratching and hair pulling

Must Read
Burns
Minor and more serious burns account for over 2 million doctor visits each year. But what is a burn? And what happens to the skin when it gets burned?...
Read more >>
Burns Causes and Risk Factors
Why are children at risk of burns? And what agents can cause the skin to burn? More on causes of skin burns and risk factors you can avoid here....
Read more >>
Burns Symptoms
When should you seek medical help for a skin burn? We review common symptoms of burned skin as well as symptoms of airway burns here....
Read more >>
Mental Health
Scratching and self-mutilation during sl...
pain after removal of stitches
I'm a cutter; nothing seems to work. Is ...
Self Injury
Scratching has become an addiction
Foot Injuries
second degree burns
Related Topics
Scratching?
Does scratching = stretch marks????
scratching myself causes tingling elsewh...
User Profile
April 29th, 2009
I scratch with pins, needles, scissors, knives. Anything sharp and pointy enough to make me bleed. I do cut sometimes but I prefere to scratch, more control. and less blood. and more pain.
I think, ever since I tried quitting, Ive been just pulling out strands of my hair, just one at a time. not much thought is put into it, its like I decide that I dont like that particular strand of hair and so I pull it out. its dumb. Ive also been hitting myself, like punching myself in the legs and stomach (my flab). I did that b4 I started scratching. I dont feel like im stopping. just changing what I do. I want to stop. completely stop. how do I do this? Does anyone else do anything similar to what I do?
Did you find this post helpful?
First Helper User Profile pine90apple
|
Madz
replied May 3rd, 2009
Scratching
I do the same, usually with safety pins. I nearly always have one on me. I can't seem to stop. My boyfriend told me he'd leave me again if he did (him leaving the first time set me off), so I have to do it in places he's less likely to notice, like ankles. I've tried to stop but nothing worse! I don't do the hair pulling, but if you find a way to stop scratchin, let me know!
|
Did you find this post helpful?
User Profile
pine90apple
replied May 3rd, 2009
thanx
thanx for the comment. Ive gone almost completely back to scratching again. If I manage to find summit that seems to help me stop I will leave a topic or a reply on here. good Luck with quitting, if u find summit that works let me know.
xx
|
Did you find this post helpful?
glamour
replied March 6th, 2011
omg i do exactly the same thing as you! I scratch myself so it nearly bleeds but not quite and if a peice of hair isnt the same as all the others, i just pull it out. It starts off as just one and then it gets to be quite a lot, one by one,in the period of about 20mins.
I scratch on my stomach because its the only place that is always hidden because im concious about my weight.

Im soooo glad i found someone who does the same as me coz i though i was weird
xxx
|
Did you find this post helpful?
madzda
replied October 9th, 2011
scratching
i scratch on my arms and i have only been doing it for 3 days, and also this mornning i unscrewed the blade of a pencil sharpener and used that to cut. i have heard that holding ice cubes in your hand works, as it is painfull but less harmfull... i hop this helps for those who want to stop.... another thing i do is pick my lip quite alot till it stings and bleeds, im not sure if that counts as self harm but its just something else i do :/ xxxxxxxxxx
|
Did you find this post helpful?
healthy199
replied January 21st, 2012
:/ wished i didnt read the above one about getting a blade from a sharpener... just makes it all that more tempting.ive never cut before though? i scratch with pins along the sides of my hips, so the marks are still covered wen i go swimming in public. i hate it though, its only temporary relief which is frustrating... glad to know im not just the only one out there xx
|
Did you find this post helpful?
User Profile
MinorHealthIssues72
replied February 10th, 2013
I always used to use pins on my hips too, one of the best cutting spots I've found. But I would not suggest getting into the habit, it's not an easy one to break and can leave you with a lot of scars that can never be erased. Try and replace this act with something else... Instead of cutting myself, nowadays, I have been working out. It gives me the pain, after a while, helps burn energy, helps to build muscle and stay fit, and is a great way to relax.
Maybe there's another method that will work well, but I haven't found one yet. I'm still looking though. Let me know if any of this works for you, or whoever else reads this post.
|
Did you find this post helpful?
User Profile
MinorHealthIssues72
replied February 10th, 2013
I always used to use pins on my hips too, one of the best cutting spots I've found. But I would not suggest getting into the habit, it's not an easy one to break and can leave you with a lot of scars that can never be erased. Try and replace this act with something else... Instead of cutting myself, nowadays, I have been working out. It gives me the pain, after a while, helps burn energy, helps to build muscle and stay fit, and is a great way to relax.
Maybe there's another method that will work well, but I haven't found one yet. I'm still looking though. Let me know if any of this works for you, or whoever else reads this post.
|
Did you find this post helpful?
Quick Reply
Sign up for FREE weekly health tips!
... Saving
Ask a doctor

Featured Experts
AjitKukreja
Ajit Kukreja
Gastroenterologist, Colorectal Surgeon, ...
drandrews
Dr. Paul A. Andrews
TMJ, Snoring and Sleep Disorders, CPAP I ...
eHealthPedia Articles
Burn Treatment
Burns
Burns Causes and Risk Factors
Burns Diagnosis
Burns Symptoms