Waking up with scratches on my upper back
December 22, 2024 2:30 PM
I was trying on some clothes a while back in front of my sister and I turned around to see my sister looking in horror at my upper back. There were lots of small scabs and scars.
I've been scratching my upper back in my sleep significantly, does anyone else experience anything like this?
I've done a bit of research on the internet and can't find much about this. I've resigned myself to wearing cotton mittens to bed, my back looks awful.
I just find it strange because I would really have to twist and reach to scratch that area but I'm doing it in my sleep?
On a secondary note, please can you give advise on the best lotions, potions and creams that help scars fade? I really want a nicer looking back for summer!
I've done a bit of research on the internet and can't find much about this. I've resigned myself to wearing cotton mittens to bed, my back looks awful.
I just find it strange because I would really have to twist and reach to scratch that area but I'm doing it in my sleep?
On a secondary note, please can you give advise on the best lotions, potions and creams that help scars fade? I really want a nicer looking back for summer!
This happens to me sometimes. Sometimes I think it’s from my bra. Sometimes I don’t know where it comes from but usually it might stay scratched/scabby for like a week, but it heals over.
posted by Night_owl at 2:56 PM on December 22
posted by Night_owl at 2:56 PM on December 22
Have you been evaluated for eczema? Eczema sometimes looks scratched and scabby even if human fingernails were not involved in the scratching.
Cerave that comes in a tub is the standard first-line lotion recommendation for eczema. Costco often has good deals on a two pack.
posted by moosetracks at 3:43 PM on December 22
Cerave that comes in a tub is the standard first-line lotion recommendation for eczema. Costco often has good deals on a two pack.
posted by moosetracks at 3:43 PM on December 22
I do this in the winter when I have to run the heater and the air gets dry. I scratch my dry skin where I don’t think I can even reach normally! CeraVe in a tub (applied with a rubber spatula for hard to reach places), or spray Vaseline before bed and taking showers in not such hot water helps.
posted by gemmy at 4:40 PM on December 22
posted by gemmy at 4:40 PM on December 22
I also wonder if this is bed bugs or some allergic reaction - new laundry detergent maybe? I'd at least look up photos of the bites online to rule that out.
posted by coffeecat at 5:06 PM on December 22
posted by coffeecat at 5:06 PM on December 22
Back acne? I have this problem off and on and I think sometimes it's just the friction of turning in bed. (I also scratch a lot in my sleep in ways that seem implausible.)
posted by edencosmic at 5:11 PM on December 22
posted by edencosmic at 5:11 PM on December 22
My upper back, shoulders, and bottom of the back of my neck are frequently like this. Have you changed your sheets and pillowcase in a while? For me, it's acne-related, caused by sweating during sleep under long hair. Those areas are the easiest to reach and scratch really hard.
Things to do: Cut your nails. Change your pillowcase and sheets more often. Wear more lightweight clothing to bed. If you have long hair and you can stand it, put your hair up. (I personally can't stand the way it pulls to sleep on hair that's tied back.) Are you sensitive to any laundry detergent or fabric softener? Try free-and-clear options. Try taking an antihistamine, in case itching as your back heals is part of what making it worse.
One other thing to look out for: Do you have any issues with skin-picking? That's another issue for me, that when my skin isn't smooth, compulsive skin-picking (a type of OCD) can come into play and make it a vicious cycle.
If you have scabs or open cuts or scratches still, put antibiotic cream (with pain relief) on them, to help reduce the possibility of infection and reduce pain or the feeling of rough skin. Once they're no longer open wounds, try cocoa butter lotion.
posted by limeonaire at 5:32 PM on December 22
Things to do: Cut your nails. Change your pillowcase and sheets more often. Wear more lightweight clothing to bed. If you have long hair and you can stand it, put your hair up. (I personally can't stand the way it pulls to sleep on hair that's tied back.) Are you sensitive to any laundry detergent or fabric softener? Try free-and-clear options. Try taking an antihistamine, in case itching as your back heals is part of what making it worse.
One other thing to look out for: Do you have any issues with skin-picking? That's another issue for me, that when my skin isn't smooth, compulsive skin-picking (a type of OCD) can come into play and make it a vicious cycle.
If you have scabs or open cuts or scratches still, put antibiotic cream (with pain relief) on them, to help reduce the possibility of infection and reduce pain or the feeling of rough skin. Once they're no longer open wounds, try cocoa butter lotion.
posted by limeonaire at 5:32 PM on December 22
Do you take hot showers? I get itchy spots on my upper back because I let hot water run on me too long and don't use lotion.
posted by Peach at 5:41 PM on December 22
posted by Peach at 5:41 PM on December 22
I do this! No idea why. It seems to correlate with stress. I’m also prone to horrifying nightmares and sometimes find I’ve scratched myself during those - maybe to wake myself? Or, ya know, I guess those are stressful too now that I think on it.
Sometimes if I’ve scratched the same place too many times I’ll bandage it so it has a chance to heal. Otherwise I just ignore it.
posted by hilaryjade at 6:00 PM on December 22
Sometimes if I’ve scratched the same place too many times I’ll bandage it so it has a chance to heal. Otherwise I just ignore it.
posted by hilaryjade at 6:00 PM on December 22
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