Worsens eczema.

Adds chronic eczema to acute eczema: the skin gets thicker and more inflamed –  the face, neck and hands are the easiest to scratch - so have the highest chance of getting chronic eczema.

What does scratching do?

Prevents healing.

Can introduce infection.

chronic

Itch and scratching do not always go together!

A vicious cycle is formed. For your skin to heal we need to treat all parts of the cycle.

Scratching is a natural response that has evolved over many thousands of years to rid us of things like biting insects that we detect through an itch.

Scratching is a normal response to the sensation of feeling itchy.

Scratching an itch can be pleasurable as it can relieve that itch.

Scratching causes a new sensation, which releases chemicals in our brain that make us feel good.

People with eczema feel itchy a lot of the time, so it is not surprising that people with eczema scratch a lot of the time.

Scratching can become a habit so we need to work on learning new ways to manage the itch instead of scratching.

This will help break the cycle of itching and scratching.

habit

The first step to stop scratching is to start noticing when we scratch.

Learn why, when and where you scratch.

Interrupt your scratching.

Refocus.

This helps us to:

Noticing when we scratch may take a bit of time to get used to but it is an important first step. 

If you think you might not be able to notice, you might need someone else, to help you know when you have scratched. Over time, this can help you notice too.

You may be scratching now as you read this, just notice how many times you do it!

Follow our step by step guide to record your scratching...

Before you start recording, you will need to have either:

A handheld clicker counter. (Can be purchased online at a low cost).

A clicker counter app on your phone. (Free apps are available if you type ‘clicker counter’ into the search bar on your app store).

Twice a week and for one hour at the weekend.

A fixed time in the evening (for example, from 6pm to 8pm).

Twice a week for an hour at school or work.

Are there any other times or places you scratch more? Keep a record of your scratching there.

Step 1: Decide a time you will record your scratching and how long you will record for.  It helps you stick to it if you pick regular times and days to record.

Here are some ideas of times and places where you can notice and record your scratching:

Make sure during the times you choose to record scratching that you have your clicker counter (or clicker counter app) to hand. As soon as you notice you feel itchy and start scratching you should record it as a scratch.

A scratch can involve actually scratching with your nails, rubbing against something else or using something against your skin to scratch it (e.g. a hairbrush or comb).

Step 2: Use a clicker counter or a clicker counter app to record each scratch during the time you have chosen to notice scratching.

If you scratch one part of your body once, this is one scratch.

If you scratch another part of your body this is a second scratch.

Whilst your fingers remain on your skin, you can count this as one scratch.

Don’t worry too much about what you count as a ‘scratch’. As long as you count your scratching the same way each time.

You can fill in your scratching diary online, or download it to print off or use on your phone.

This helps you understand about why you might scratch. For example...

Step 3: At the end of your time recording, use your scratching diary to record how many times you scratched and the situation you were in.

Some people scratch more when they feel stressed and are studying or working.

Some people scratch more when they watch television because they may be bored.

Some people scratch more when in bed because they are tired or are worrying about things.

When we figure out why you scratch we can help you to reduce the scratching in these times.​

Everyone scratches in different places, for different reasons. Can you think of other times you may scratch in?