Compulsive Scalp Picking

[Christi797]

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.

[Anonymous_Support]

I have been reading these comments for a while now and am 1. relieved I am not alone and 2. am so impressed with the amount of support this blog/community has given to one other and 3. wanted to share some information that I found.

Research Dermatillomani (aka Excoriation Disorder). This may be the closest thing to an answer as to why we do what we do: pick our skin/scalp. Also know that you are not alone and that many (more than you think) are suffering from the same bad habit.

"More people than you might think have a disturbing habit of picking scabs, including face picking or scalp picking. Those that do this to the extreme may suffer from dermatillomania, also known as excoriation disorder. If scab picking, face picking or scalp picking are so bad that they make a person feel embarrassed, ashamed or alone; if any of these habits feel more like an obsession or hold a person back from social interaction; if doing these things causes scars or disfigurement, then dermatillomania is the most probable cause."

Doctors have classified dermatillomania as a mental illness that often accompanies obsessive compulsive disorder.

Sources for more information:
1. http://www.healthyplace.com/ocd-related-disorders/excoriation-skin-picking-disorder/picking-scabs-face-picking-scalp-picking-dermatillomania/
2. http://www.healthyplace.com/ocd-related-disorders/excoriation-skin-picking-disorder/picking-scabs-face-picking-scalp-picking-dermatillomania/
3. http://ocdla.com/compulsiveskinpicking


After deep consideration of my own habits I think my personal case stems from being a perfectionist (OCD), then evolved into a nasty habit that I've yet to shake. It may be noted that I used to have eczema and dry environments tend to cause flareups on my scalp, leading me to scratch then feel those unwanted (yet unseen) scabs on my scalp. I begin to pick and although I want to stop, I cannot.

As someone before me mentioned, mediation or just simply being aware of this is the first step. A reward system helped me as well as adding a humidifier to the room I was in. Try to stay away from shampoos that contain alcohol as this will dry out your scalp and make it itch. Tea tree and jojoba oil are excellent natural ointments for treating skin and I recommend applying and massaging a small amount into your scalp, then waiting 15-30 mins, then rinsing in the shower.

As previously mentioned by others, keeping your hands busy helps a lot! I tend to pick at my scalp when I'm bored and nervous, picking unconsciously. I also used to bite my nails and skin around the cuticles but broke that habit by getting fake nails to get the feel for what it felt like to have nails. Once I got used to the feeling of having nails (functioning with them on) and the visual of actually having nails, I stopped!  Perhaps a similar method may work for the scalp...

Remember mind over matter! The mind is the most powerful tool in our bodies, and anything is possible if you truly believe you can overcome this struggle. I know I can as I previously thought I would never be able to break my habit of biting my nails.

I'm soo proud of everyone on this thread who has come forth and shared their "embarrassing" habit and are willing to find a "cure"! There is hope as more doctors are becoming aware of this "disorder" and more resources are being contributed in finding treatments.

Stay strong!!

[Zinuticz]

Im not alone. I have 3 spots that I just cant leave alone. The crunchier the scar, the more I need to rip it off my scalp. I never heal. I can exhale once it's picked. What is this???

[ButterflysA]

I'be been picking since I can remember! Im 35 and still picking. I do not have dandruff. I believe it started from brushing my mothers hair as a child to relieve her sinus headaches. She had dandruff from coloring her hair and Id pick it out so her hair would be perfect ( I was a child so in a childs mind). Well needless to say, I still pick. Never on my own head but I do pick my husbands. As a teenager  I use to take elmers glue and cover my hand and let it dry  to pick it off. I have been embarrassed of this my entire life and only my mother and husband know about this so it is awesome to know that Im not the only one out there!!! My husband has sever dandruff and he actually enjoys me picking his head as I enjoy doing it, it calms me down for some reason. It took me a 6 months after we got married to admit to him that I had been dying to pick his head. He didnt freak out and wanted me to, so a win win. Its not compulsive or like I have to do it nor a habit but I do enjoy picking. Its about twice a week I will pick my husbands head and only when he asks me to. He says its calming to him also. Took me a long time to admit to him that I enjoyed picking dandruff. I dont know what you would call it? A disorder of some sort, Anxiety or OCD. But thank you for sharing your stories! Ive read where its self picking so I thought Id share my story to where I dont pick on myself but on someone else!  So thank you and also please wash you hands before you start picking and I find you use tweezers clean them so you dont get any kind of infection where you are picking!!  

[livhhhh]

I've been taking lexapro for about a year now and have found that i didn't start having this problem until i started taking it, i believe that it is because anymore serious ticks and anxiety was controlled a lot more with the lexapro however i have found that i have began picking so much more and am now starting to create scabs and have even, at the worst of times purposely spilt rock salt onto my scalp, just so i have an excuse to pick the bits out.

[Abigail555]

I just googled this subject to see if i could find anything out, and i have done. I have read through many of these comments and i'm actually genuinely relieved that i'm not the only one who does this. It's only my scalp that i pick and i've been doing it ever since i was twelve years of age. I would just be in a lesson and would search through my hair with my hand for any little bumps or scabs and i would pick them, or try anyway. This became a terrible habit of mine and i would pick whenever i had the opportunity. My family noticed and my brother actually started to tease me and was saying my head was invested in lice. Many people are saying it is due to anxiety, and actually i do have anxiety myself but i'm not sure. I'm scared. I feel like i'm losing my hair and it scares me.. Someone help me?

[SoeyNYC]

I've been reading all the comments and testimonials here for hours, I feel somewhat relieve that I am not the only one with this problem, but unsure about what direction to take in order to stop this horrible habit.  I started picking on my scalp just a few months ago when I lost my job (I used to pull on my eyelashes when I was a teenager).  I know that what triggers my anxiety is  the stress about my financial situation.  I suffered from panic attacks about 3 years ago and was on Lexapro for a while, it definitely helped with the panic attacks.  When I lost my job I lost my medical coverage, so I cannot afford to go to the doctor or buy the antidepressants.  If anyone here can help by sharing their experiences on how they were able to improve or control this problem it would be greatly appreciate it.

[Tkk05]

Hi I am 32 and struggle with OCD,anxiety issues. I had a few questions and wanted to offer a possible solution that has helped me. Acrylic nails. It is not at all a total solution,  but because the tips are thicker than natural nails I can't do as much damage.  I still compulsively touch my scalp and eventually it becomes less and less, however the compulsion never goes 100% away. I usually begin to focus my picking to removing the acrylic nails. One bad habit for another. ;-)
Unfortunately, I can not afford to pay for acrylic nails all the time. Over the past 6 months I have created bald spots and actual divots in my scalp. I am waking up picking with blood under my nails. My head hurts so bad without anyone even touching it. I have chronically swollen lymph nodes so I'm worried about an infection.  Has anyone tried liquid bandaid on their scalp???
I used it on my hand for a scrape and it made it rather difficult to pick at. I can't feel where the liquid bandaid is do it would be even more difficult to pick off my scalp. I have taken Lexapro in the past, recently switched to Luvox. I think the Lexapro works better for me. Has anyone else had success with  medicine? Thanks for any advice!!!

[Cheddar1]

i wanted to thank everyone that has said something because i am having a hard time quitting. it feels like such a relief to read others comments because i feel like not one person understands how embarrassing it is to be picking my head and i cant do anything over it. I feel like people dont understand that i dont want to pick. I understand that it sounds so strange but it feels like i need to pick. If anyone has anything that will help, anything would be appreciated.
thankyou

[looneyliz]

im trying dabbing the sores with apple cider vinegar now as recommended by someone in a previous post.  il let you all know how it goes. I too, really value this support site, as have never met anyone in "real life" with this same problem and my family always been quite unkind to me about it.  I felt a freak for years.