scratching
Posted by Chris on October 15, 2002 at 06:14:52: Previous Next
Anyone else have this habit of scratching their head? I most often do it when I'm sleeping, or half-asleep, and I wake up doing and realize I've been doing it for some time. It's like a subconscious thing. Even though I have only half-inch length hair, I fear I am damaging my hair. Should I kick this habit and then start over growing in case I've done any damage and since my hair is so short anyway? Or I should I learn to kick the habit but leave the hair and keep it growing? Also, what can you suggest to stop it? I've thought about cutting my nails, but even if I cut them to the shortest possible length before it becomes painful, there is still just barely enough nail there to scratch with. I've also thought about wearing gloves to bed, but that would be quite uncomfortable. Any suggestions?
Chris
Re: scratching
Posted by Gibson Guy on October 15, 2002 at 07:49:36: Previous Next
In Reply to: scratching posted by Chris on October 15, 2002 at 06:14:52:
I used to have the same exact problem. I would scratch my head almost constantly,and not just while sleeping or half asleep. It just became a BAD habit.I did it so much that I made sores on my head!And as my hair started getting longer I noticed when I scratched too much hair would come out,and my hair started looking pretty bad and damaged. I just had to make myself stop it. Everytime I started I'd just have to tell myself I was damaging my hair. Eventually I stopped doing it,and my hair looks much better too. Anyway just try to be concious of it and try to stop yourself as soon as you start. You don't have to stop scratching completely,but just scratch it when it itches:) Since your hair isn't very long yet you probably haven't caused too much damage. Even if you have it should fix itself. Good luck.
: Anyone else have this habit of scratching their head? I most often do it when I'm sleeping, or half-asleep, and I wake up doing and realize I've been doing it for some time. It's like a subconscious thing. Even though I have only half-inch length hair, I fear I am damaging my hair. Should I kick this habit and then start over growing in case I've done any damage and since my hair is so short anyway? Or I should I learn to kick the habit but leave the hair and keep it growing? Also, what can you suggest to stop it? I've thought about cutting my nails, but even if I cut them to the shortest possible length before it becomes painful, there is still just barely enough nail there to scratch with. I've also thought about wearing gloves to bed, but that would be quite uncomfortable. Any suggestions?
: Chris
Re: scratching
Posted by Chris on October 15, 2002 at 08:33:38: Previous Next
In Reply to: Re: scratching posted by Gibson Guy on October 15, 2002 at 07:49:36:
Hey. Thanks a lot for your reply. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one out there with this problem. I do it too when I'm awake; not only when I'm sleeping. And not only when my head itches either, although it does get quite itchy. If I really try and stay conscious of it I can usually keep myself from it. I think if I break the habit of doing it while I'm awake I'll stop doing it when I'm asleep as well. And since my hair is only about a half inch long, it's pretty strong, so I probably didn't do much damage, if any. And what damage, if any, did get done, will just be cut off with the first trim I get. I've never had a split end even when I had shoulder length hair that I was not very nice to, so I'm not too worried about that. Just a question: do you happen to have OCD, or was it simply a bad habit for you? I ask because I have OCD and I think this is a symptom of that. And the OCD causes paranoia which makes it even worse. Anyway, nice to read you reply, thanks again.
Chris
: I used to have the same exact problem. I would scratch my head almost constantly,and not just while sleeping or half asleep. It just became a BAD habit.I did it so much that I made sores on my head!And as my hair started getting longer I noticed when I scratched too much hair would come out,and my hair started looking pretty bad and damaged. I just had to make myself stop it. Everytime I started I'd just have to tell myself I was damaging my hair. Eventually I stopped doing it,and my hair looks much better too. Anyway just try to be concious of it and try to stop yourself as soon as you start. You don't have to stop scratching completely,but just scratch it when it itches:) Since your hair isn't very long yet you probably haven't caused too much damage. Even if you have it should fix itself. Good luck.
: : Anyone else have this habit of scratching their head? I most often do it when I'm sleeping, or half-asleep, and I wake up doing and realize I've been doing it for some time. It's like a subconscious thing. Even though I have only half-inch length hair, I fear I am damaging my hair. Should I kick this habit and then start over growing in case I've done any damage and since my hair is so short anyway? Or I should I learn to kick the habit but leave the hair and keep it growing? Also, what can you suggest to stop it? I've thought about cutting my nails, but even if I cut them to the shortest possible length before it becomes painful, there is still just barely enough nail there to scratch with. I've also thought about wearing gloves to bed, but that would be quite uncomfortable. Any suggestions?
: : Chris
Re: scratching
Posted by Gibson Guy on October 15, 2002 at 08:43:48: Previous Next
In Reply to: Re: scratching posted by Chris on October 15, 2002 at 08:33:38:
Actually I do have OCD. It's not too bad anymore,but it was terrible when I was a teenager. It seems to get better as I get older. Anyway,I'm not sure if the scratching was linked to that or not. I never really thought about it,I just assumed it was a bad habbit.
: Hey. Thanks a lot for your reply. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one out there with this problem. I do it too when I'm awake; not only when I'm sleeping. And not only when my head itches either, although it does get quite itchy. If I really try and stay conscious of it I can usually keep myself from it. I think if I break the habit of doing it while I'm awake I'll stop doing it when I'm asleep as well. And since my hair is only about a half inch long, it's pretty strong, so I probably didn't do much damage, if any. And what damage, if any, did get done, will just be cut off with the first trim I get. I've never had a split end even when I had shoulder length hair that I was not very nice to, so I'm not too worried about that. Just a question: do you happen to have OCD, or was it simply a bad habit for you? I ask because I have OCD and I think this is a symptom of that. And the OCD causes paranoia which makes it even worse. Anyway, nice to read you reply, thanks again.
Re: scratching
Posted by SixStringThing on October 15, 2002 at 17:25:23: Previous Next
In Reply to: scratching posted by Chris on October 15, 2002 at 06:14:52:
I used to have the same problem, I was really doing a bit of a damage to my hair. I just somehow forced myself to stop, almost overnight, but i'm not sure how i did it. Oh and don't cut your hair just keep going and try to stop scratching.
Re: scratching
Posted by Bill on October 16, 2002 at 21:24:04: Previous Next
In Reply to: scratching posted by Chris on October 15, 2002 at 06:14:52:
: Anyone else have this habit of scratching their head? I most often do it when I'm sleeping, or half-asleep, and I wake up doing and realize I've been doing it for some time. It's like a subconscious thing. Even though I have only half-inch length hair, I fear I am damaging my hair. Should I kick this habit and then start over growing in case I've done any damage and since my hair is so short anyway? Or I should I learn to kick the habit but leave the hair and keep it growing? Also, what can you suggest to stop it? I've thought about cutting my nails, but even if I cut them to the shortest possible length before it becomes painful, there is still just barely enough nail there to scratch with. I've also thought about wearing gloves to bed, but that would be quite uncomfortable. Any suggestions?
From the responses, it looks like several of us have gone through that. I did. My realization that it harmed my hair drew me into a very conscious effort to stop, as was the case with the other guys who have posted.
I presume what causes the scratching is just that something on your body has changed. When I first grew my mustache out, I couldn't quit licking it. Something "feels different", so the mind just has to keep checking it out.
Eventually I quit licking my mustache, but it did go on a LONG time - much longer than it took to grow it out to terminal length. It's best, I'd say, to put a conscious effort to stop this behavior sooner, if it is causing damage, which clawing your scalp will do to long hair.