People have told us about many different things which affect their urges to hair pull. As far as we know, the effects of these products have not been tested for treatment of trichotillomania but they are commonly used for other conditions.
Keep your hair and hands clean and eyes free from make-up as much as you can
Coconut oil
Coconut oil has anti-bacterial and anti itch properties and soothes away urges. This amazing stuff can even be used on eyelashes and brows, very sparingly – we suggest applying it to eyelashes with a clean, dry mascara brush.
Please do not use the rest of these products on your eye area.
Aloe Vera
(a) direct from plant – cut off a leaf, slice it down the middle and apply sap to affected areas. Some find it soothing to leave a leaf in the fridge and use it from there.
(b) Aloe Vera gel. May also be left in fridge.
Tea tree oil to soothe itchy scalps and help after an attack of hair pulling
Witch Hazel
Cuticura
Infra-red light stimulates hair growth and heals sores
Insecticidal shampoos – There is absolutely no evidence that trich is mite or insect related, but nevertheless some people have reported that insecticidal shampoos have helped them. It’s worth a try!
Numbing creams – N.B. There has been research on one patient who found a numbing cream effective for treating eyebrow urges. Canesten cream can be soothing.
Avoid hair products completely, and washing hair with only warm water or salt water
Anti fungal shampoo without the ingredients listed below:
PRODUCTS THAT SOME FIND INCREASE THEIR URGES
- PH Balance Shampoos like Neutrogena
- Shampoos/deodorants or hand creams containing alcohols, cetearyl, cetostearyl, cetyl
