Hands in hair syndrome, also known as trichotillomania or hair-pulling disorder, is an impulse control disorder characterized by the compulsive urge to pull out one’s own hair. It occurs in about 4% of the population.
It can often be mistaken for alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes patchy baldness in round patches of hair loss on any body part. This condition usually affects children and young adults between the ages of 9 and 25, but it can occur at any age and gender.
Ways to Treat hands in hair Syndrome
Here is how to stop touching your hair? Hands in hair syndrome, also known as trichotillomania, causes people to compulsively pull their hair out so that it appears as if they have little clumps of hair in their hands at all times.
It’s not known exactly what causes this disorder, but certain things can contribute to it, and there are ways to manage the condition and its symptoms if you find yourself suffering from it. Here are some ways to treat hands-in-hair syndrome and the symptoms that come with it.
1) Relax your scalp
One of the best ways to treat Hands in hair syndrome is to relax your scalp. This can be done by massaging your scalp with your fingers or using a head massager. You can also use a hot towel or heating pad on your scalp for a few minutes daily. Allow your hair to air dry after washing it so that you are not creating frizzies and tangles in wet hair.
If you have very curly hair, make sure to put some product in it before sleeping or going out into the wind to keep your curls intact. Suppose your curls get messy while out and about. Put some water in them and then curl them again. Add some gel if necessary. Lastly, don’t touch your face! It’s tempting but just resist touching those locks around your mouth because all these movements will create more frizzies than ever before!
2) Keep your hairs away from the face
When you have hands with hair syndrome, the first thing you need to do is keep your hair away from your face. This will help prevent you from picking at your scalp and will also keep your hair from getting greasy. You can do this by tying your hair or wearing a headband.
3) Use products that are less likely to cause irritation
There are lots of hair products out there on the market that claim they’re gentle enough for sensitive skin. Some of these products include oils such as olive oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil which are good for treating dry skin on your scalp.
Moisturize with coconut oil: Applying coconut oil to your dry scalp can be very soothing and more likely to cause less irritation than other oils such as olive oil. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties that can fight off any infection in the area which may be causing your discomfort. Brush frequently: Brushing regularly will help reduce dandruff which may be making you uncomfortable when it falls into your eyes or onto clothing.
4) Try protective hairstyles
One way to prevent Hands in hair syndrome is to try protective hairstyles. This can include wearing your hair in a bun, braid, or ponytail. You can tuck it into a shirt or jacket if you have long hair. This will help keep your hands away from your hair and give you a break from the urge to pull.
You can get headbands and other small accessories if you have short hair. These will keep your hands busy while also drawing attention away from your hair. This is also a good idea if you’re going through treatments for alopecia or trichotillomania since wearing these items may help reduce anxiety about how your hair looks. Wear colorful headbands and scarves around your wrist to draw attention away from how you’re pulling at it.
4) Put your hair in a bun
Wearing your hair in a bun is one of the simplest and most effective ways to treat the hands in hair syndrome. It keeps your hands away from your hair, which reduces the urge to pull. Plus, it can also help prevent new breakage. Here’s how to do it
- Twist your locks into a ponytail.
- Separate the tail into two sections and secure each with an elastic band at the end.
- Take both sections and twist them around each other to form a messy bun shape at the top of your head (think Princess Leia buns). Wrap an elastic band around both sections to hold them together. Now you’re ready for anything!
6) Make yourself busy
It can be easy to fall into idleness when you have HHS. Suddenly, all your time feels free because you’re not doing anything with your hands. But this can make your condition worse. When your brain is idle, it starts to focus on the sensation of pulling your hair, making you more aware of it and more likely to do it. So keep yourself busy! Find a hobby, read a book, or start a project to keep your hands and mind occupied.
7) Keep your hair healthy
To treat the Hands in hair syndrome, keep your hair healthy because it saves you from itchy hair which is one of the main causes of hands-in-hair syndrome. Here is how you can keep your hair healthy.
1. Get regular trims. This will eliminate split ends that can make your hair look unhealthy and feel dry and brittle.
2. Use a deep conditioner at least once a week. This will help keep your hair hydrated and prevent it from looking dull.
3. Avoid using heat styling tools. If you must use them, use a heat protectant spray beforehand.
4. Don’t wash your hair every day. Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle.
5. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Harsh chemicals can damage your hair, so it’s important to use gentle and sulfate-free products.
8) Try not to overwork
One of the best ways to prevent hands-in hair syndrome is to try not to overwork yourself. This can be not easy if you have a lot on your plate, but it’s important to take breaks and give yourself time to relax. If you’re constantly stressed, your body will start to show it differently, one of which is hair pulling. Other things that are helpful for stress relief include:
- Taking up an activity like yoga or meditation.
- Doing anything that makes you happy.
- Just spending time with people who make you feel loved.
9) Use the mirror more often
Checking your reflection in the mirror can help you become more aware of when you’re playing with your hair. Try to keep your hands busy in front of a mirror, such as styling your hair or applying makeup. Put lotion on your hands (three sentences): This will help moisturize your skin and make it less likely that you’ll want to play with your hair. You can also try using a hand cream or cuticle oil.
You can also check out our other related article Causes of hands in hair syndrome:
Causes of hands in hair syndrome
Here we are talking about the Causes of hands-in hair syndrome:
Stress
One of the most common causes of hands in hair syndrome is stress. When we’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, it’s natural to want to comfort ourselves by touching our hair or playing with it. This can become a habit over time, and before we know it, we’re constantly twirling our hair around our fingers without even realizing it.
If stress is the cause of your hands in hair syndrome, there are a few things you can do to try and reduce your stress levels. Exercise, meditation, and leisure time in nature are great ways to relax and de-stress. You might also want to consider talking to a therapist if your stress levels are high.
Overwork
It’s the middle of the workday, and you find yourself absentmindedly twirling a strand of hair around your finger. Or, you’re on a date, and you can’t help but play with your hair to calm your nerves. If these scenarios sound familiar, you may be suffering from hands in hair syndrome (HIHS).
HIHS is a condition characterized by the urge to fidget with or play with one’s hair. This urge can be triggered by stress, boredom, or even nervousness. While HIHS is not a diagnosable condition, it can be annoying and disruptive. To avoid this pesky habit, make sure to get enough sleep, take breaks during long days at work, and always keep your hands busy when in social situations.
You are getting bored.
When we get bored, our minds tend to wander. And when our minds wander, our hands often end up in our hair. This is because we’re subconsciously looking for something to do with our hands. We might be twirling our hair, playing with our split ends, or just running our fingers through our locks.
Whatever the case may be, hands in hair syndrome is often caused by boredom. If you find yourself reaching for your hair a lot, take a look at what’s going on in your life and see if there’s anything that could use a little more of your attention.
Wearing headphones too tight
Ever notice how your head feels extra itchy when you wear too tight headphones? That’s because the constant pressure can irritate the skin on your scalp, leading to inflammation and dryness. If you’re susceptible to hands in hair syndrome, this can be enough to trigger the urge to scratch. The good news is that loosening those earbuds might help prevent H.I.H!
Trauma
One possible cause of the hands in hair syndrome is trauma. This can be anything from a car accident, bad fall, or physical assault. The hair pulling may start as a way to cope with the stress of the trauma and then become a habit. If you have experienced any kind of trauma, it’s important to seek professional help to deal with it in a healthy way. If your main concern is hair pulling, keep reading for more information on this topic.
Self-Inflicted: It’s also possible that people might pull their own hair out without realizing it due to tension or stress that they experience on a daily basis. And finally, we have people who pull their own hair out for reasons like boredom or self-punishment. For this last group of people, there may be underlying mental health issues at play, so make sure to get counseling if you find yourself doing this on a regular basis.
Genetic factors
Genetic factors may cause hands in hair syndrome. If your parents or grandparents had the condition, you might be more likely to develop it. The condition may also be passed down from generation to generation in families. A family history of the disorder is often one of the first things doctors consider when diagnosing a person with the hands in hair syndrome. In addition, people who are genetically predisposed to other conditions such as alopecia and trichotillomania may be at higher risk for developing this condition.
Playing with hair psychology.
Is it bad to touch your hair a lot? If you can’t keep your hands out of your hair, you may be suffering from a condition known as a hands in hair syndrome (HIHS). While the exact cause of HIHS is unknown, there are several theories about what might trigger the condition. One theory suggests that HIHS is a form of self-soothing behavior.
That is, people with HIHS may be trying to calm themselves by touching or playing with their hair. Another theory suggests that HIHS may be a way of dealing with anxiety or stress. People who are anxious or stressed may find that playing with their hair helps to relieve some of their tension. In these cases, it’s important for the person to learn new ways of coping with stress and anxiety, so they don’t rely on this behavioral response. For many people, the hands in hair syndrome is just an innocent habit.
But if you find yourself compulsively pulling your hair out in clumps, then it’s time to seek professional help. Hair loss caused by compulsive pulling can lead to bald patches and even permanent scarring if left untreated.
The Strange Side Effects of Hands in Hair Syndrome
Do you have a friend who seems to spend excessive time stroking their hair or rubbing their hands through it? They might be suffering from hands in hair Syndrome (or HIHS for short). While this syndrome may not be immediately life-threatening, it can result in some severe side effects, which are discussed below. The good news is that there are many treatments available! Here’s everything you need to know about HIHS and its side effects.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
For people with OCD, hair-pulling provides a temporary sense of relief from anxiety. However, pulling out one’s hair can lead to more anxiety and guilt. Sometimes, people with OCD will pull out their hair in response to a stressful event or relieve boredom. Certain medications or medical conditions can also trigger the condition.
Static electricity
One of the strangest side effects of the hands in hair syndrome is the static electricity that can build up in your hair. This is because when you rub your hands through your hair, you create friction, generating static electricity. The static electricity can cause your hair to stand on end and even spark! If you have this side effect, you might want to avoid rubbing your hands through your hair too much or use a leave-in conditioner to help reduce the static.
Dandruff
One of the stranger side effects of the hands in hair syndrome is dandruff. While the cause of dandruff is usually dry skin or fungal infection, in some cases, it can be caused by excess hair touching the scalp. This can happen when people with hands in hair syndrome constantly play with their hair or twirl it around their fingers. While dandruff isn’t a serious condition, it can be embarrassing and frustrating.
Headaches, migraines, eye strain, and neck pain
If you suffer from the hands in hair syndrome, you’re not alone. This abnormal condition causes sufferers to constantly have their hands in their hair, often without realizing it. The constant touching and fidgeting can lead to headaches, migraines, eye strain, and neck pain. In severe cases, the condition can even cause baldness. Talk to your doctor about treatment options if you think you may be suffering from hands in hair syndrome.
Split ends and hair fall
One of the most common side effects of hands in hair syndrome is split ends. When you constantly have your hands in your hair, you are more likely to damage the ends of your hair, which can lead to split ends. In addition, to split ends, the hands in hair syndrome can also cause hair fall.playing with hair cause hair loss. This is because when you constantly play with your hair, you can damage the roots, leading to hair loss. It is not unusual for someone with this condition to lose an average of 10 hairs daily.
FAQs about hands in hair syndrome.
Here are the answers to your questions.
Why do you need to keep your hands out of your hair?
If you continuously tingle your hair with your hands, it can damage your hair or weaken your scalps. That is why you need to keep your hands out of your hair.
How to stop yourself from putting your hand in your hair more often?
Here are some ways: Keep yourself busy with interesting things, Make your surroundings healthy, and when free, go for a walk.
Is playing with hair a disorder?
If you play with your hair too often, it’s a disorder known as “hand in hair syndrome,” but you can manage it by following simple tricks discussed in this blog.
Conclusion
If you’re like most people, you scratch your head or grab at your hair when you’re nervous or trying to understand something difficult. But if you can’t stop touching your hair and feel compelled to even when there’s nothing to pick out, it may be a sign of something more serious than simple boredom or frustration. It could be the beginning of hands in hair syndrome, also known as trichotillomania, which is defined as compulsive pulling out of one’s own hair with subsequent loss of hair and bald spots.
hands in hair syndrome, or trichotillomania, can make it hard to do things that require using your hands. It can also be difficult to wear certain types of clothing and jewelry and participate in certain sports and hobbies because of hair loss. Thankfully, various treatments can help with this condition and improve your quality of life. Here are eight ways to treat the hands in hair syndrome.
