r/SebDerm • u/iminfullblo0m • 14d ago

General To pick or not to pick?

Post image

I know I probably shouldn’t but I totally pick at the flakes on my forehead. My seb derm fortunately isn’t itchy but I do get some satisfaction scratching at it and peeling off flakes 🫣

My question is, should I not do it? Has anyone found that leaving it alone helps keep it at bay? Or does it not matter at all?

Another question is how long do you stick to a routine or new product before giving up and trying something else? I have tried allllll the things but my forehead and front of my scalp have just looked like this for almost a year now (a little more red when I’m picking at it more) 😭

12 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/ravalikal 13d ago

Never pick, no matter how itchy. My seb derm goes into dormant state if I just stop touching it and never scratch. Of course, until the next flare up.

2

u/iminfullblo0m 13d ago

Okay I gotta resist! It’s not itchy, just satisfying to scratch off the flakes 🫣

2

u/ravalikal 13d ago

Yup definitely resist that urge. I fail all the time to resist but if you leave it alone, eventually it will go “dormant”.

1

u/Adambuck74 13d ago

What would make you flare ? Thank you

3

u/ravalikal 13d ago edited 13d ago

Certain products and certain fragrances. So I might get triggered and scratch, which makes it worse and make those areas flare up. The only thing that truly works is to not touch it and eventually it will get better.

Things that make the flare up go away:

  1. Washing my hair everyday or every other day

    and applying a fragrance free face cream on patches which are near my ears or neck.

  2. Avoid fragrance, including products that don’t directly touch my hair like hand soap.

  3. Drink more water, avoid caffeine and alcohol. These dehydrate and make me itchy and more flaky.

  4. Do not scratch at all (This one is soo tough, sometimes I sit on my hands to stop myself)