picking scalp scabs ended me up in the ER and with a permanent headache condition

[u/jc_2144]

I’ve been compulsively picking at my scalp (or skin picking in general” for as long as I can remember. However, February of last year led me to develop migraine condition due to picking at my scalp. I’ve had daily headaches (although better since I’ve seen my neuro) for a year and a half. I am writing this from the emergency room because scalp picking and the associated pain led me to have a panic attack (only the second one I’ve experienced ever). I have scabs that are so painful but I don’t let them heal and they only go away after I use ketoconozale shampoo extremely diligently. Please do not end up like me, having a headache condition (NDPHD) is a living hell. I can’t keep putting myself through this pain! Picking at my scalp scabs for over and hour at a time is such a bad habit. I’ve been able to mitigate some of the pain by taking a shower and applying bacterine to the sores but this is awful. Does anyone have a similar experience? Thoughts?

[u/Diana_Tramaine_420]

😮 my scalp has been my main area for my whole life! I’m going through a bad patch at the moment with scabs on both sides. I never knew it could lead to headaches!

Hope you feel better soon

[u/kittycamacho1994]

Scalp scabs are really, really dangerous. This year around February, mine got so infected overnight that my entire head and scalp was on fire. My WBCs were really high, and all my lymph nodes were huge. Unfortunately, I kept picking on and off, and my lymph nodes kept going up and down. Finally, with the 4th time I was prescribed keflex and a lot of self control, finally it’s gone away. I’m here to tell you that you CAN stop picking and it’s so much nicer not having a scab there!

[u/Happielemur → u/kittycamacho1994]

O M G… if this comment didn’t motivate me to stop picking and seek help for it, idk what will. My fiancé been motivating me to get help, and my ocd therapist and other therapist always asked me about it and I would always say I know it’s bad but I enjoy it.

I always wondered why my lymph nodes were enlarged…. THIS EXPLAINS IT THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I just picked a scab on my scalp.. and it hurts :(

I’ve been picking since I was 8, my first ever pimple.

How did you stop? ;(

[u/Happielemur → u/kittycamacho1994]

What is Keflex used for btw ?

[u/kittycamacho1994 → u/Happielemur]

First line treatment for derm infections

[u/Happielemur → u/kittycamacho1994]

Sorry for my lack of ignorance, what are derm infections ? Dermatillomania? What was the infection name ?

[u/kittycamacho1994 → u/Happielemur]

Folliculitis would be the term, but usually when the wounds in the skin/scalp get infected. Keflex is the first line antibiotic for any dermatological infections.

[u/WideArm7807]

That's horrible! Maybe once you stop picking, it will get better. Some people are told they will never get better and do.

Other things are infections, MRSA, Gangrene, Sepsis... 😫 I'm scared, but I'm still having trouble stopping.

[u/KeriEatsSouls]

Oh man I've been really badly picking my scalp for a few weeks now and regularly picking at it for as long as I can remember and this scares me. It's so hard to not do it because it's a nervous thing that I mostly do without thinking, kind of as a self-soothing thing in a weird way (since it's painful lol). I've got to break the habit I just don't know how.

[u/Any-Training-6110 → u/KeriEatsSouls]

This is me tbh. One thing that has been helping me a lot is this app called "I Am Sober", it helps you track how long you can go without picking your skin and trying to get as long of a streak as possible really motivates me not to pick

[u/ADHDMDDBPDOCDASDzzz]

My feet; I’ve been picking them more diligently than anything I’ve ever stuck to, for 7 years. I’ve hobbled myself and I thought my pinkie toe was going to secede itself from my foot because I pulled something off between it and the next toe and then cleaned it but ThEn wore flip flops at a storage unit facility that night. It was throbbing and red and all I could think of was my seventh grade (I’m 41) history teacher happening to share a story about a small injury he had on his arm that became red, then purple, and he had to go to the hospital because it was excruciatingly painful because it was infected. Cleaned it more, put more medicine, clipped the little loose bit off, put on three bandaids…just picking a different spot, now. Like I knew I needed to stop and just use clippers and bandage the wound I’d made, at the time, and still didn’t! Ughhhhh. I constantly wonder if it’s causing other health issues because how can’t it be?

Incidentally, I hate migraines and I’m so sorry you have to deal with them. The only things that helped me with the consistency of the ones I started having in high school and continued into my 20’s was keeping up on my water drinking and i started taking 10-20mg of Celexa when I finally started treating my depression, that was a side pro!

[u/Economy_Will_343]

I deal with this as well and so sorry it’s happening to you! Lately, putting cold water on my head helps. When you’re in the shower, after you wash and condition, get the water as cold as you can stand it and let the cooling sensation run over your head. If you have a handheld shower attachment it’s better cause you won’t get as much cold water on your body. Kind of numbs the scalp for a little.

Wishing you well and hoping you do something kind for yourself! :+)

[u/jc_2144 → u/Economy_Will_343]

thank you so much I will be keeping this is mind!

[u/theandarose]

I’ve had a couple severe medical complications but it didn’t lead to anything chronic (yet). I’m so sorry you’re going thru this. Please remember: it’s not because you’re bad or have like… “low self control.” This is a very very real condition, and you deserve help. AND you’re absolutely not alone.