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little-elliot , 26 Apr 2010

Head Picking?

Hi, I am 15 years old and I have problems with picking my head. I'll make sores and pick them open everyday. I'll even eat the sores that I pick off. D: It's very noticeable if someone looks at my head, there are sores all over the top of my head. It's like I'm addicted to the pain and the feeling of picking the sores from my head. It's a compulsive habit, and I was wondering if anyone had the same problem?!
7 Answers
CattiBre
April 26, 2010
I have a similar issue, however, its not so much on my scalp as it is, everywhere. I will pick at almost every sore on my body without realizing it. You definitely arent alone in your struggle to stop.
stephanie.harm…
April 26, 2010
I also pick my scalp daily, I have several open sores on my scalp I'm always embarrassed when I get a haircut. I also pick my face and body I have scars everywhere, I'm tired of people assuming I'm a drug addict because of my skin, people can be so mean, so you are definately not alone...
jacquie
April 30, 2010

In reply to by stephanie.harm…

me too! no one has ever said anything but i feel like they must think im on meth or something. ive been picking at my head(and elsewhere) since i was a kid, but last year my boss confronted me about doing it at work so i had to try to control it. dandruff shampoo helps minimize the stuff there is to pick at initially, but its a struggle.
wildflower
April 27, 2010
i have gone through a phase where i've had a number of sores on my scalp that i kept opening and some never healed over in almost a year. i got them to heal finally but my picking kept up on other parts of my body up until a while ago. i'm on the 40 day challenge now. i managed 48 days the first time, 7 days the second time, and now i'm on day 5 with plans on making it to 40 and beyond. hope hope :) . i hope you find some tips and tactics that will help you do similarly. there's lots of info here to help you out !
b123
May 28, 2010
Hi! I am 17 and I do exactly the same. I'd say i've done this for at least four years now :/ But I go through times when its worse than others. This last month I havn't been able to stop myself and have picked my scalp everyday :( Its really sore and looks awful and I know I'd be so embarassed if someone noticed. I definitely wouldn't consider going to a hairdresser. I've actually been doing it so bad lately that I'm scared I might start losing hair:( ( I think its noticibly finer :/ ) But even knowing that I CANNOT stop myself! I don't understand why I do it, or what started me off :( I also pick and bite the skin around my fingers, in one case on my thumb i almost bit my complete thumb print off :| :( My fingers always look awful and I hate it :( I would like help to stop but I just don't know where to start :( I know I could never tell anyone. I hope that this helps in some way :) I feel slightly better knowing that theres people out there who do the same and that I'm not ENTIRELY crazy :)
archergal918
May 30, 2010
Hello, I am 62 years old. I never knew there was a "syndrome" associated with the picking of my scalp until this year. I have been picking my scalp since I was about 12 or 13. The only time I've been able to have a scalp free of scabs was the seven years I wore acrylic nails. When I retired and could no longer afford the upkeep of the artificial nails, it was right back to square one. I am determined to overcome this. Any strategies that others have found successful would be welcome. I've tried various treatments for "dry scalp" in the hopes that if my scalp didn't itch I would stop. Now I know it is probably more of a mental than physical manifestation. Thank you.
renafie
November 28, 2011
i'm 21.I also pick my head compulsively ,im doing it now :( I also pick my legs,i have some scars but luckily they heal after i stop for awhile. i do use drugs so that is a big reason why i do it because thats the only time i pick but it's so embarrassing when my friends see the scars.i have some tricks to help prevent me from doing it,I put on a hat/beanie.I always have my finger nails short but even that doesnt stop me sometimes,it just makes me nails sore.

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