It’s so embarrasing and I’m glad to have a semi-anonymous way to ask this.
I need something that is clear, odorless and tastes like hell to put on my arms to keep me from biting the hair off. It looks like I briefly put my arms in a fire everyday. As the summer kicks off and I wear short sleeve shirts everyday, it’s only going to get worse.
Also, is it 21 days to change a habit?
And I know it’s gross, ok!
shave them… that will stop you…
and if anyone asks why you shaved your arms… all you have to say is that you were doing a photo shoot for a watch company… and they needed you to shave one of your arms…but obviously you couldn’t just shave one of them…
Try using Nair or a similar depilatory cream on them. That usually lasts a bit longer than shaving, doesn’t leave stubble and is not incredibly noticable.
Or, if you don’t want to go the hair removal route you can try pure vanilla extract. I’m not sure how odorless it would be, but you probably wouldn’t need a large quantity of the stuff to do the trick. That is, unless you actually like the taste of vanilla.
Be careful to look for things that are non-toxic (obviously). I believe you can find something at most drug stores to prevent nail-biting, that may work for you as well.
Actually, as far as nervous habits and the like go, it’s not that gross. Sounds like it could be related to trichotillomania (if I spelled that right) or some subtle form of OCD. I have similar nervous habits myself.
“Bittrex” ? I don’t remember if its odourless, but that stuff tastes HORRIBLE! They put it in things like floor cleaners to prevent children from ingesting it, because believe me, the tiniest taste of it will send you gaging! They used it on us for a test to see if dustmasks fit properly at work, and they give you the “pleasure” of tasting the stuff beforehand so that you’d know what it was if you tasted it when they sprayed it at you with a mask. I am so glad the first mask fit me perfectly, so I didn’t have to re-do the test! If that stuff won’t discourage you, I don’t know what will!
http://www.tds-saddlers.com/ProductDetails.asp?PCLinkID=3476
This is a product used to prevent horses from “cribbing”, a bad stall habit. I don’t know what it smells like, but you could give something like this a shot. I’ve seen similar products on Google as deer repellants.
Bittrex, the most bitter substance “known”…bleh
I have trich and I have to say that IMHO that it’s definitely related. I thought it was 23 days to make a habit, but whatever works!
I have to say that I don’t think that shaving is the best route - because then you get hair bumps and pick at those - which looks even worse. Just personal experience. :eek:
I would try that no biting stuff that’s in the nail care section of any drug store.
Bruce (and anyone else), if you’d like to talk about trich further, feel free to email me.
Amazing. After I read the first person that mentioned trich, I looked it up (trich.org, etc) and got informed. Since I’ve had it in the back of my mind all day I’ve noticed how many times I twist my arm hair (the ones I can’t reach with my mouth), play with my eyebrows and the edges of my head hair that are a bit to scruffy. Also I’m remembering how conscious I am if I “missed a spot” when buzzing my own hair with electric clippers, I mess with it all day.
Conclusion, I have a moderate case(?) of trich! Who knew?! trich.org mentioned that extreme focusing is one way to try and overcome it. Well, I’m sure that won’t work since most of the time I’m deep in thought or driving when I bite my arm hair. I’m going to try that nail biting stuff today though.
Shaving? negative.
Thank god my mouth can’t reach my eyebrows.
(as I was proofreading this I automatically reached up and started twisting the hair at my temples. Fascinating.)
Try “Bitter Apple” spray, available at pet stores, or probably in the pet dept. of your favorite discount store. My dog has a chronic licking syndrome and it works on him.
The collective wisdom around here is amazing. I read the title, thought, “oh, no one will know about trich, so I will post that” and found several people have beaten me to it.
Bruce_daddy, I have read some positive stuff about using SSRIs (a particular type of anti-depressant) with good benefit. If you aren’t averse to talking with an MD, that might be a useful route for you.