My son, who just turned 5 last week, is constantly scratching his face. He has no rash and we have tried allergy medicine and lotion, but it hasn't helped. He is a very laid back kid, but we're wondering if it might be some kind of nervous habit. He seems to have a pattern to how he scratches his face. He starts with his forehead, then nose, then above his lip, then his chin and then he starts all over again. He can't keep his hands still and away from his face for more then a few seconds. It seems to itch more when he's relaxing like before bed or while reading books, T.V. etc. Any ideas? It's driving us both a little bonkers!
p.s. There have been no major changes at home that might cause him to be stressed.
Thank you all for your quick responses. It was so nice to read such great pieces of advice! I just got back from my son's 5 year check up and fortunately he did it almost the entire time we were there. The doctor watched him and was sure it was a tic that will go away with time. I am suppose to call him in a month to update him. He said do everything possible to ignore it. Asking him to stop, pulling his hands away etc. all draws more attention to it. So, for now, we'll keep an eye on it and in time, hopefully it will go away! Thanks again, I really appreciate all of you taking time out of your busy day to respond to my question. Enjoy the rest of your day!
P.,
My son's pre-school teacher was telling me about the "Allergy Salute" with her daughter. You know, You run the palm of the hand under the nose, up & then OUT in front of the face--is is possibly like that? From an itchy (Not SCRATHCHY! LOL) nose?
Have him tested for allergies and for Tourette's, especially if Tourette's Syndrome runs in your families. There's always the chance he'll grow out of it, but it wouldn't hurt to check these things out.
My daughter has numerous allergies to foods, and environmental factors. Some of them result in such subtle cases of hives that you really cannot see them, however she certainly feels them! I would really recommend you see an allergist who can do a RAST blood test to either find or rule out the allergies. If that is not possible, trying an antihistamine like zyrtec which is supposed to help hives may help you by the process of elimination (if the itch stops while on an antihistamine, there is probably an allergen). My daughter has learned that she can have some of the foods that she is allergic to in small quantities, but when she has too much, the watch out. Unfortunately, she is allergic to a chemical put in lotions and colorings too which show up in surprising places. Good luck and be persistent. It took us a long time to find out the source of our problem but life improved so much once we did.
It's so funny that your son is doing that,too. My son turned 5 on SUnday and he has been doing thatam thing for a couple of months now. It could be a couple of things. Alergies is one possibility. My son told me it itches and he does it a lot right before he sneezes. Another thing it could be is just a little tick. That is not to scare you, but it is common in that age group. Some kids have little OCD habits at this age, but grow out of it. It is a stage in their development. Connor was using his whole hand to itch so we taught him to use smaller motions. However, they say you are supposed to ignore it so it goes away but I know how hard that is. My mother-in-law thinks that something is wrong with him; we even got into an argument over it. If you are concernedir if it starts getting worse or leads to other things, check with your doctor. Kids have quirks. Fun, huh?!
Could be excema. My husband and I have it. His is visible and mine is not. Mine itches no less, though. No matter how much I scratch, it never shows up. Try using different washing detergent and bath soaps. I love aveeno lotions and bath soaps (target brand is just as good) for mine when it 'breaks out'. I itch the same time as your son. As soon as my mind is not distracted with daily routine and I can relax, I am able to notice I itch. I also get it when I perspire slightly, so after being outdoors. Aveeno makes an anti-itch cream, but a&d type ointments work well too. Try applying them when he is relaxing. Good luck. I know how miserable you both are!
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I agree with Candice F, it could be a mild tic. Nothing to worry about, but if it comes your concerns call the doc. It is very common in young boys to have a mild tic during development. Hope this helps.
C.
Well this might not help too much, but all my life my back is always been itchy. Its not all the time, its usually at night when I'm lying in bed watching T.V., but its really itchy and no rash dry skin, nothing. 90% of the time it doesn't bother me at all, but when its itchy its really itchy and I've even taken my hair brush too it! HaHa. anway, I've heard everything from when your skin is growing or stretching to its nothing. Do you remember how itchy your belly was when you were pregnant, mine was crazy itchy! It could just be a small phase and he's growing, it is the age when they often have another growth spurt! i wouldn't be worried about it unless he is dong it 24/7 and he's scrathing off the skin. If he is mostly doing it at home when he's relaxing it could be anything comforting to him to actually itchy. I'll tell you with my back, its not like the regular itch where you itch it and its gone, I would have my husband scratch my back for as long as possible. Try giving him a cool (cold as he can stand) wash cloth to rub on his face and see if that relieves the itching if it does then he really is itchy, if it doesn't do anything then it may be more of a comfort or little quirk! Good luck Jennifer
My son is 2 and he's been rubbing his face for about a year now. Not scratching, more like rubbing and picking. He has scars from it. He only does this when he's tired. We've tried everything from mits to bandaids to bribery. Right now he's picking at his nose! The doc says that it is common in toddlers and that it should pass. Can't hurt to ask your doc's opinion though.
May be good to have him seen by his Dr. I once had an itch and no rash and my Dr. did bloodwork and it showed that my thyriod is slightly over active. I agree with the other Mom's, could just be something he does like some kids biting their nails.
P.,
My son used to scratch his skin in his sleep until it bled. He had no bug bites or rash of any kind. His skin wasn't overly dry either. When he was little he was always scratching his face. I brought it up with his pediatrician when he was about 3 or 4. She said this was brought on by some type of allergy. She started him on allergy medicine (which he also needed for hay fever, pollen, etc.). He didn't have a problem after that! She said it would be particularly bad at night around bed time (which is why he would do it unknowingly in his sleep.)
