Trichotillomania - Medtick
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Trichotillomania

What is it?

Compulsive hair pulling and twisting can cause bald spots.

  • This can occur on head, eye lashes,moustache,beards,body,pubic hair, arms and/or legs.

Cause

Symptoms

  • Bald patches left on parts of body where hair is pulled out?
  • Have an unusual  hair shape pattern?
  • May affect one side more than the other?
  • Habit of eating hair?
  • Severe stomach pain?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can lead to:

  • Rapunzel syndrome – rare condition in which a large hair ball (trichobezoar) gets lodged in your stomach and extends into your small intestine), it is caused by Trichophagia  (a condition in which you repeatedly eat hair, It’s often associated with trichotillomania)

Common symptoms and signs are:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Obstruction
  • Peritonitis

General tips

To help to stop one pulling their hair:

  • Squeeze a stress ball or something similar
  • Form a ball with your fist and tighten the muscles in that arm
  • Use a fidget toy
  • Wear a bandana or a tight-fitting hat, such as a beanie
  • Come up with a saying that you repeat out loud until the urge to pull passes
  • Take a soothing bath to ease any stress or anxiety
  • Practise deep breathing until the urge to pull goes away
  • Exercise
  • Put plasters on your fingertips
  • Cut your hair short

NHS Choices

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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