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Compulsive Scalp Picking

I am 28 years old and have picked scabs on my scalp since I was about 12 years old.  Normally I find little imperfections, possibly dandruff or dry scalp, and I pick at it until it becomes a scab.  Once a scab develops, I find myself uncontrollably picking at it, so it usually never heals or takes an extremely long time or another scab to develop to stop.  Right now, I have a total of six scabs that I have created on my scalp.  When I am picking I can't necessarily say that it relieves stress like I have found on some of the other web sites, but more of an obsession that I can't control.  I have been treated for depression and PTSD, but have never mentioned my compulsive picking.  I have been prescribed both Zoloft and Prozac with Klonopin for the symptoms of anxiety and depression, but I still seem to pick at me head.  The kicker is that I also do this in my sleep.  I will literally wake up with blood under my nails.  What treatment options are there other than medication?  Should I tell my primary care physician or should I talk to a psychiatrist?  What are some of the causes of this, could it be OCD?  I don't really have any sort of rituals like you see or read about or extreme fears, but I can not seem to stop picking at my scalp, and although I am not pulling at my hair, I am noticing hair loss.  Any feedback would be appreciated.
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Avatar universal
You will LOVE this! Use extra virgin coconut oil on your scalp or any dry problem area. You can find it in the cooking/baking isle in most stores and it's not expensive... You'll find it a little greasy, but It works my sweets... I apply it 2 times a week...  I use a shower cap and lay a towel over my pillow... Its so nice to not have itchy dry skin and will make your hair super soft. Best wishes your worth it! :)
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
I cant tell you I'm at my wits end with this. For me, this is severely debilitating as I'm mostly bald so it's extremely noticeable on my head. It's effected my life so bad because I'm to embarrassed to apply for jobs in customer service sectors where you deal with the public. Problem is, that is my best skill so it's killing me that I'm so insecure about this. I can also tell you, for me this is not stress related. While I do suffer from depression and anxiety, this 100% is not the cause.

For me, I guess more of an OCD thing. What happens is I run my had over my head, and once I feel a dry patch or bump that's not smooth like the rest of my scalp, I try to pick it off thinking that part of my scalp with now be smooth like the rest of my head. Then I go through the same cycles as you all do. The problem I have is, sometimes these patches of dry skin tend do go away after a few cycles of picking. I've gone months were my scalp was totally clear. For example, when I go to a hot place, the sun seems to totally clear my skin and I'll be good for a while. So for me this is some kind of dermatology issue combined with OCD to get rid of any non smooth parts of my scalp. I should also note that it's not itchy or sore for me. Just a bad patch of skin I can feel that I must get rid of.

I'm going to try this coconut oil because as I've said, I'm at my wits end with this, and it's causing me serious depression and anxiety, not the other way around like I've reading. (anxiety and depression causing people to pick)
Avatar universal
Lately I have been using pure peppermint from the health food store. I put some on my fingertips and rub into my scalp after washing and conditioning. It relieves the itching, tingles and soothes. I, too, am a nervous Nelly and OD.
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Avatar universal
Oh my lord. Y'all, I feel like I've come home. Lol. I was just sitting here staring off into space picking away. And the thought came to me...hey, google it and see if you're the only scalp picker out there. And lo and behold here popped this thread. I read a good 30 comments or so and am in shock. We are all the same! I too suffer from panic disorder, major depressive disorder and agoraphobia. I have picked my head for as long as I can remember. I am now 29. My mother always used to freak out and yell at me to stop, but I never could. It isn't something I consciously do, my hand just goes to my head without thinking about it. I get the same satisfaction some of you were talking about when picking off the scabs. I try to peel them as big as possible, and will even look at them to see how big they are at times. The bigger the better I feel. If I make one bleed it takes about a whole day before it will dry up to be picked again, so in the meantime, I move to a different spot. There are times I will search my head with my fingers and be so bummed because I don't feel a spot where I can pick, so I dig my nail into my scalp to peel something up. Man, I have never actually talked about this, and as I am writing I just feel like such a weirdo! At least I have solace in knowing there are SO many of you who are the same as me. So here's to us pickers lol, Cheers!
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Guess us weirdos are in good company! Everybody has something, right Jules?
1699033 tn?1514113133
Hi there.  This is a very old thread.  Could you start a new one with the problems you are having?  Thank you.  JGF
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I've been reading through these comments & wanting to respond for a few hours, but couldn't stop picking long enough to type a sentence.  I particularly radiated toward your comment "scratching our heads...cope with life."  That's really what this OCD is - a coping mechanism.  So much of what is written here is familiar to me -- what a startling wake up call!  I didn't realize how much of my behavior is connected to this.  I have twice stopped picking...1st time for 3 years, 2nd time for 5 years, but it never occurred to me that there were stressors that caused it.  Duh - LIGHTBULB.  Then, you feel overwhelmed & try to soothe yourself in lieu of managing the stressor.  I feel really dense for not seeing the pattern through 3 decades of picking.  Currently, I've quit my job, am starting a business, have 1 parent that needs full time care & the other giving care while going blind (oh & he lost their life savings @ the casino).  There's the anxiety - and as I type, I realize I've not really put it out there to friends/family so I've removed the external support.  Maybe there's a shame element as well - not being able to pull it together seems embarrassing.  I feel fortified with all that has been shared & am ready to release this behavior again [hopefully 3x the charm].  For those asking for solutions, here are some things that have worked for me before:  1) remove the zone-outs.  The cable got canceled, tv unplugged & put in guest room, replaced with audio books 2) interrupt the sensation. I put a tiny clip around the area so my fingers hit plastic/metal instead of scab.  The initial contact alerts me to the desire to pick instead of digging for 10 minutes before I realize I'm doing it. And not touching the scabby place removes that sensory gratification which over time lessens the desire 3) graduated positive reinforcement.  I decide on a reward program to get me motivated - replaces the negative guilt feelings & something to look forward to @ 24 hrs/72 hrs/ 1 week/ 2 week/ 3 week/30 days.  Once I get to the month point, the momentum is real & the new habits are getting grounded. 4) negative reinforcement. I remove something & only get it back when I hit a big goal.  Gave my tax return to friend & couldn't get it back until I reached 90 days.  I used to volunteer, but wouldn't return until I reached 6 months. At 1 year, I had friends over for a dinner to celebrate "reaching a personal goal". They each brought a gift.. 1st time it was kooky socks/2nd time stock the tool box.  It helps to have reminders around that you can do it.  5) Exercise & fresh air.  I'm going to start again tomorrow (as in RIGHT NOW).  Should be interesting now that I have all of you to be accountable to.  
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1 Comments
I am going to go put plastic clips in my hair so that I notice when I am doing it.  It feels so good to know that I am not the only one who has this nasty habit.  I sure do appreciate everyone's open, honest communication.  I believe just being honest and talking about things regardless of how uncomfortable they are, is the key to living a more authentic and happy life!!!  Thanks again.
Avatar universal
Oh my freakin' God!  Other people do this?  I always thought I was the only one.  I suffered so much grief from my mom since I was a kid about my picking (I'm 56 now) which I think only served to make me want to pick more.  It didn't stop me from going to the hair stylist, but I always made up some lame excuse, and then finally came clean that I was a "picker."  But it's not just my head.  I pick my arms, legs, back, but for some reason I stay away from my face.  Which makes me think I could really stop doing this, if I wanted.  I don't know if it's a self punishment thing, or a stress release, or from boredom, or a coping mechanism to deal with anger that I don't know how to release, or possibly all of the above or even something else.  I literally have scarred myself, and my skin has become discolored in places where I just couldn't allow myself to let the sores heal.  And it makes me soooo embarrassed when someone points it out and asks me what happens.   I don't want to take pharmaceuticals.  Anyway, thank you all for sharing your stories.  This all just makes me want to cry. . .   But I'm practising yoga, going for acupuncture, spending as much time as possible in Nature and sadly though my Mom recently passed away, I think that might help me chill out and not be self-conscious because I won't be worrying that she's going to continue to make (unhelpful)_comments about my picking and how ugly it is and how no man will want to hold my hand when it looks like that.  Give me strength to beat this nasty habit, once and for all.  :)
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20841278 tn?1532904380
Wow..I do this to! I have a lot of stuff on my arm from picking, there is also a place on the back of my head i pick a lot and sometimes it bleeds. I didn't know picking could be a form of compulsions.
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Avatar universal
I have the same problem and i've had it for years and i have been having severe headache constanstly for the past few days day and night. and i'm frightened to go see a doctor and ashamed to te him about my habit. i've been imagining the worst scenarios and i'm so worried. i can't conventrate on anything.
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1436913 tn?1527806895
I have recently been able to stop scalp picking, I believe what's been helpful is taking Lexapro for depression & anxiety. Aside from the Lexapro (10 mg once a day in the morning),  I also keep a large hair clip close by me when I am in my room & I play with it if I feel the urge to pick. The hair clip is symbolic as well as it has to do with hair and hair breakage can happen as a result of extreme scalp picking.
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Avatar universal
I have had a similar problem picking, pulling, biting nails for a few years now, and would describe it as both a symptom of distress and a distressing action. I also used to pick acne a lot honestly I think all 4 are related in nature. It is at it’s worst when it becomes so unconscious to me/when thinking/etc.

Non-medical prescription/suggested courses of action that may work for you:

What to work on long term :
CAUSES : Mental; a mixture of -  
(i) stress;
(iii) mental noise (started as negative self talk, descended into worse things, making thoughts unintelligible and highly disconnected at times);
(ii) feelings of lack of control.

TO COUNTERACT :
(i) stress :
You need to find ways of dealing with stress in your life that are constructive and not destructive.
You might well have done these in the past and lost your way or just adopted different habits. In any case it is always good to try something new and see what fit you best.
Good stress relief - stretching/yoga; a good run; anything that raises up that heart rate and uses excess nervous energy you don’t need addling you. Baths. A nice walk in the park. Listen to calming music. A companion. Make yourself an extra nice lunch. Read favourite book. Find other things unique to You and that You know that relax You.
Stress isn’t going to go away, and will inherently be a part of your life. It can be good and motivating, but you need to stop an overload before it happens, lest it lead to a loss in your constructive behaviour capital.

(ii) mental noise :
I am unsure if any of you deal with this thing, but you may be familiar with the niggling critical voices in your head that never shut up or leave you alone. You need to talk to yourself in a constructive manner. You need to help yourself grow, and provide yourself with a nurturing environment in which to grow. You cannot escape your own head. You are going to need to make friends with it. And when I say that, I mean really, talk to yourself like a friend. Never say anything mean, petty, untrue or unnecessarily scathing that you wouldn’t say to a bosom friend who you truly respect. Be honest with yourself, but kind and gentle. Nobody is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Flaws are lovable.Talk to yourself gently. You need a constructive, not destructive, mental environment. Be kind. Be supportive.

(iii)Make a list of things you are in control of in your existence , and things you are not in control of. Keep it to remind yourself. I know I tend to do these things when I feel/think things are way way out of control or whack. When things f up.
Make another list of your acheivements. These can be anything that mean a single dram to you. No-one can live your life like you can. You need to believe in yourself. You need to trust yourself. You need to see how this is a behaviour and habit, that with time, you can change.

In the meantime :
Now, another thing. It is of course very hard to stop cold turkey, as with any habit, let alone a nigh-reflexive one. You need to SUBSTITUTE! It is time for you to employ yourself as your very own personal masseuse. Try
rubbing the back of your neck, right into your spine sides
rubbing your temples.
Massage your hands.
Placing cool hands on your face.
Putting hands in cool water.
The peppermint oil one I saw here somewhere sounds really great.

Make/buy something to fidget with. It’s ok to fidget. It can even be healthy for you if you sit down for long periods of time according to some recent studies. You might as well do it constructively.

For your hair, if anyone feels very self-conscious about any hair loss, have you considered wearing a wig (possibly with something else beneath it to reduce itching) ? They are very available these days and you can buy some for dirt cheap enough if you are just looking to try a style. I shaved my head being so sick of what I was doing to what hair I had and am thinking of wigs. I think there’s nothing to be ashamed of with wearing them, there is such rich broad variety and they seem like a great thing to play with/ not to mention timesaving if you don’t want to waste time doing hair.

There were lots of great suggestions here in this page.
Bandages, headscarves, moisturising head, dabbing sores with AppleCiderV, keeping hands busy.

Try to constructively work toward blocks of time where you consistently don't do it by whatever method you can think of. Miles are made of inches. It is OK if/when you relapse. You can do the same over, and any break in the habit is a little success for you.

Best of luck everyone and I think it will be alright!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also have the same issues and I have OCD (scalp picking and Gereralized anxiety disorder as well as ADHD) my disorders are a result of childhood and ongoing trauma (loss abandonment addiction in family and self rejection etc. trauma is different and personal per person) but left undealt with and unprocessed my brain mind and body were effected and it became a defense mechanism way of disassociating or anxiety relieving compulsion. God and a program called celebrate Recovery have helped me find the healing process to freedom and peace learning self control and trusting God having faith in him not myself to fix myself because I am powerless to stop on my own. These along with psychotherapy and medication have helped immensely. Washing or styling hair and using lotion are definitely helpful as well as prayer and meditation and keeping hands busy.. praying asking for God to help me control my hands and surrendering my body to him letting the Holy Spirit guide me to self control self compassion and taking care of the body I've been blessed with. Learning mindfulness is very helpful as well and finding the root of your pain and trauma ex abandonment rejection fear unforgivness codependency whatever cause the behavior or looking for relief from your psychological emotional or pysical trauma or pain and learning the tools to deal with your own personal issues is extrmemwly helpful and enlightening! They have many pyschiatry medications and trials they are doing with all natural or pyschadelic or medical CBD oil there are many treatments but most important is therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR or accelerated resolution therapy, exposure response therapy or exposure prevent therapy and habit reversal therapy have shown very successful! Go to the IOCDF.com international OCD FOUNDATION for more info treatments and specialists in your area. Also trichotellimania foundation has a website too if you google it with much helpful info and treatment options!
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Avatar universal
I have always been "a picker". Pimples, small scabs....even pimples or blackheads on my husband. Which he HATES. I have picked or scratched my head since I was in my early 20's. I will be 37 soon. The longer it has gone on, the more severe it has become. I have experienced a lot emotional and physical distress over the past decade, specifically the past 4-5 years. Over the past few months it has become very disturbing, as I have created small bald spots and start to panic when it's time to go to the salon because I have to stop. Or else my stylist cannot do her job or my hair with open wounds or scabs present. I have made up lies, such as burning myself with my flatiron, etc. I also have become unaware of when I am picking and when my husband points it out to me, I feel humiliated and embarrassed. I worry people will see my sores or scabs or scars through my hair(which is fairly thin & blonde), especially when it is pulled back. I know that it should hurt when I'm digging at my spots, but it just doesn't. It's actually quite relaxing. Washing my hair or brushing my hair when it's wet does hurt, but I just deal with it. I used to only do it when I was sleepy or falling asleep. Now it's ALL. THE. TIME. Especially when I'm driving. I can't control it. It's very satisfying and stress relieving. It's become very concerning and I just don't know what to do. Today was the first time I googled it. I was actually relieved to find that it was actually "a thing". I just don't know how to stop. I'm anxious and curious to read the rest of the stories and worries and possible answers or solutions. At least suggestions. In a non-judgmental environment. I never realized how truly embarrassed I am by this habit and how weird or gross other people find it. Thank you if you took the time to read this.
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1436913 tn?1527806895
I have picked my scalp to the point of it bleeding and scabbing it up for a few years now. I don't mention it to the hairdresser who does my hair color touchups but I am pretty sure he must see some of the scabs. He is aware that I have MS. I was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis in late July of 2017 after a brain MRI came back showing lots of MS lesions and a spinal tap came back positive for high amounts of elevated protein 'o' bands. I do have depression and anxiety as well as carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spinal stenosis. I don't know if my MS has anything to do with my scalp picking (otherwise known as a form of 'Excoriation Disorder'). See this URL: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1122042-overview
Excoriation disorder in my case is mainly my scalp, however I also pick behind my ears regularly. I also eat anything I pick off my scalp or from behind my ears and I am happy if what I pick off is bloody. It's like a sense of relief and accomplishment for me.
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Avatar universal
hi everyone, i have a similar issue. i can’t remember when i started picking my scalp but i’m 17 now and it’s becoming a real issue. i don’t have a particular reason for doing it, i just do it?? i always run my fingers over my scalp and if there’s a bump or an imperfection i pick at it until it’s out then pull it out. this usually results in me pulling out hairs as well and it really isn’t pleasant as it can make my head hurt/bleed sometimes. like others who have commented i have depression and anxiety which stemmed from severe ocd that i am still sort of dealing with. i don’t know if this is something due to stress or depression/anxiety as everyone has that in common?
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1 Comments
I’m also 17 and I do The same exact thing. Like I purposely run my hands through my hair to find a scab or imperfection just so I can Pick at it. I also Pull it out and it usually does pull some of my hairs out. I dont know how to treat it but i know it’s starting to be a bad habit because now I’m picking to the point where my scalp is starting to bleed because I’ve picked the same spot too deep. I havent been Treated for depression or anxiety but i know there has to be a reason why I’m doing this too.
Avatar universal
I have the same thing but i never told a doctor because its inbarrasing. Also i have bleeds and scabes thats old i have it since i was 11years old and i am 12years old now i cant stop scratching and pilling my scalp.Another thing i been going through alot and the more i go through it becomes worse and worse i been wanting to tell a doctor or go get checked in but i dont know if i should or should i just take care of myself have a depression problem and going through alot right now and stressing.......
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Avatar universal
I am so glad that I finally googled why do I pick my scalp. I have been doing this ever since I was a child on and off until now and I will be 36 in a few days. I pick so much there are scabs that never heal. When I feel a scab and pick it I have no idea why I am doing it. My head hurts and stings when I wash my hair. When I see the scab it's almost like it brings me happiness or fulfilment, I know  that sounds weird. Also take blood thinner medication so my head will bleed more than someone that is not taking them. I have anxiety and depression. Also definitely have ocd of some sort. I do have a lot going on in my life and I'm sure a lot of you do as well. Any suggestions to help are greatly appreciated. Its comforting to know I'm not alone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have picked my scalp for the past 13 years.  I had a break of 2 years in there where i didnt do anything..   But as a woman i am horrified to go to a salon and get my hair cut and the hair person see my scabs.. so i have not gotten a hair cut in YEARS.   split ends like crazy.. Party of me wanted to just shave my head.  

My head doesnt itch.. But i will run my fingers thru my scalp and if i find a bump/scab i start to pick at it and wont stop till the scab comes out with hair /skin.   Its very disgusting.. when i visit my mom she will watch me and says stop but i cant.   DNA all over the floors.  

I have been diagnosed with OCD/Anxiety.. when i was taking Zoloft it didnt help my picking.. And frankly im not a good drug taker so i stopped taking them after awhile.  Right now i would say i have 6-7 spots that i pick at regularly.  
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2 Comments
Hi its Looney Liz again.  i bought a head massaging machine off internet but not much help so far, less sores but deeper and bigger.  am finding carrying a tube of handcream in my bag and massaging it into my hands when tempted to scratch in public does help
The same thing happens to me too. Like my head doesn’t itch or anything but I purposely run my fingers through my hair to find a bump or scar just so I can pick at it. I’ve been doing this for years. I’m 17 and I’ve been doing it since middle school.
Avatar universal
When I was 11, I started picking my scalp. I found it satisfying to have some build up under my fingernails, and I would eat it. Have any of you eaten the scabs too? Not because you like the taste but just because it's habit.
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1 Comments
I’m 17 and I do The same thing too. I dont know how a gained the habit of also eating my scabs but I’ve been doing it for a long time.
Avatar universal
I have a similar problem... I'm 13 and have been picking at my scalp for a while now. My mother told me I'd lose my hair but I brushed it off as I couldn't stop and now approximately 10 or more hairs are falling out everyday. I don't know what to do... I'm really self-conscious and don't want to go bald at the age of 13 but I can't stop
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Avatar universal
Sorry for my typos.
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Avatar universal
I do it too. My head hurts but I've been doing it off and on during stressful times in my life for 28 years now. I've never googled it before or told a doctor or therapist. I kind of like it when a new scab forms and cannot help but pick it off.
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Avatar universal
I'm 16 and I've been picking my scalp for about 12 and I never thought that it was a problem until recently when I realized that my scalp was becoming extremely irritated and dry. I take great pride in my hair so when this started to happen I freaked out and decided I needed to stop but shortly realized I couldn't. So now I'm wearing gloves so it can make it harder for me to pick my scalp and hopefully I'll see improvements.
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2 Comments
i have been getting ib=ncreasingly distressed by this problem lately so am purchasing a head massage helmet from China.  its a bit expensive but cheaper than thersapy and il let you all know if it helps
meanwhile , while waiting for the helmet to arrive ive decided im so desparate to be cured of this im bandaging up my head, putting on gloves and doing virtually nothing for one week except rest and focus my mind on not scratching  (i dont have to go out to work at present as im off with other health problems). I hope if i can clear the sores completely and break the habit for a week i wont do it anymore (though the other two times in my life i managed to clear them they came back again but I live in hope).
Avatar universal
Welp, I'm glad I'm not alone with this habit. I have been picking scabs on my scalp ever since I was about 10 years old and I'm still picking them to this day, I'll sometimes even pick a lot of scabs whenever I go to sleep, I usually do it for half hour and then go to sleep. I don't pull hairs because it's more unappealing than picking scabs. My boyfriend and my parents (maybe some other people too that I don't know of) notices that I pick them a lot, my boyfriend gets a little frustrated but not so much for my parents surprisingly.
It's really hard for me to get rid of this bad habit because it's so addicting and comfortable, and it sometimes relieves my stress. Once in a while I'll think that I should stop, but I'm so obsessed with the habit that it's super hard to quit, I can't live without it sadly.
Recently I've been thinking about going to therapy and talk to someone that I have a problem with my obsession, and I would love to stop this before I make anything worse in the future. I'll probably end up doing that in a month because I'm broke at the moment.
So I guess in my opinion, I think you should go to a therapist (or whatever people prefer you to go to) and talk to someone about it and see what he/she can do for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i am 26 years old and I am just a picker. I used to only my pick head and it started in high school. Back then I was anorexic and my home life was very difficult , I developed super control problems. I would pick my head constantly, to the point where it would be so time consuming I could not even hold a conversation. Finally one day I got an an infection and my necked swelled up like the hunchback Norte dame. It was embarrassing and painful. I stopped picking  on my head for a while, but after a year or two I started picking my body. Legs, boobs, hands, face you name it. Honestly, I really am a very pretty girl but I can not help it. I also am taking a lot of meds for the anxiety like kkonopin and Prozac, smoking a small but effective dose of marijuana.  But I wanna know why I am obsessed? Why I can I not stop im pretty and very vain but I will pick and make myself ugly. Please someone help know why
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1 Comments
I could have wrote this myself. Desperately seeking to understand why I do this
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