Hey, thanks Tanager, that actually helps me quite a bit to know I'm not alone.

I've been taking some pro-active steps to stopping the scratching, and realizing what might be making me anxious is a big one.

Something that I have found to reduce the marks and stop the bleeding is actually acrylic nails. I make sure they're thick and short. This stops the actual cutting of my skin, but actually gets to the itch.

If anyone is feeling anxious, and doesn't want to take mind numbing drugs- try taking vitamin B. It's a de-stressor, and its completely natural. I got mine at GNC or any health food store really.

I have also gotten Bio Oil to get rid of the marks I've left all over my body.

I really do want to stop picking and popping, and I hope we can all help each other through this.

Hey; I Self Harm Alot :/
But I Do That To.. Chicken Scratch.
I Was In A 'Secure Unit' Not To Long Ago And we Went On A Walk And I Refused To Move And Sat Down And Found Some Glass And Did It. They Didnt Even Notice.
Your Not Alone Hun; If You Ever Find The Urge To Do It; Turn To Someone You Trust Or Even Someone On Here! We Are All Here For You x

I do it at times too. Some of the time I do I do't even realize I'm doing it until some one else yells at me over it. I usually only do it if cutting isn't an option at that moment. I did it in school once, for example, during a saturday detention cause the kids were picking on me. Still have the scars.

I used to scratch a bit. If I got annoyed or upset I used to dig my nails into my hands until it hurt too much. My pain threshold isnt high so I would never bleed but the marks would stay there for hours.
I also pick at the ingrown hairs on my legs. I thought I was the only one that did that!

Yes i scratch when i'm somewhere i can't cut. I actually scratched before i started cutting.

I wait until my skin heals from cutting them. Scratch it off,
watch it bleed,
then cut again.

i scratch myself too. Among my all my other methods of Si. ((which are a LOT))

I do and have for long time did stop for awhile but urge was to strong but way I do it is diffrent then the way you do it i dont scratch wide area of skin till its gone I take my nail and place it in small area of skin and leave it there till i feel better. Its defintly form of self injury and as much as you all don't like to hear this it is a form of cutting only diffrence is your nails are the tool.its like cutting but with out need of razor or scissors the tool is always with you to ues your nails.