Waking Up With Scratches On Your Skin? What Could It Be?

Are you waking up with scratches and cuts on your skin and confused about how you got them? We have the answer – you have probably scratched yourself while asleep. If you think it is impossible, science has an explanation. This condition is diagnosed as parasomnia. It is a sleeping disorder that involves unusual physical activities (like scratching and sleepwalking) that may disrupt your sleep. Parasomnia may occur when you are in deep sleep, or your brain is about to wake up from sleep. However, there could be other possible reasons for the unexplained scratches and cuts on your skin. Read this article to learn in detail.

Types Of Scratches And Cuts

There are mainly three types of scratches based on their appearance and causes. They are (1):

• Linear: These are straight or nearly straight scratch marks on the skin, often caused by sharp objects in a line-like pattern.
• Grazed: These occur when the skin is rubbed against a rough surface, causing superficial wounds. It can cover a large area of the skin.
• Patterned:These abrasions have specific patterns and are caused by an object forcefully making direct contact with your skin, such as from blows, collisions, or accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians.

Since there are various appearances and causes of scratches and cuts, there may be several symptoms that appear when they occur. Read on to know more.

Symptoms Of Scratches And Cuts

If you are waking up with scratches on your face, neck, or any other part of your body, they might lead to the following symptoms.

• bleeding
• swelling around the scratched area
• pain
• rash on the skin
• fatigue
• disrupted sleep
• irritation on the skin

The above symptoms can cause distress and may disrupt your daily activities.

In the next section, let’s explore the possible causes for these scratch marks.

Causes For Scratches And Cuts

• Sleep Pattern – Studies suggest that when you are sleeping at night, your skin experiences more water loss. At the same time, your body also secretes fewer amounts of cortisol, a hormone that regulates the metabolic process in your body. These factors have been linked to a person having the urge to scratch more at night (2).

• Skin Diseases – Diseases such as eczemaⁱ  A chronic disease that causes inflammation, itchiness, and rashes on the skin and is common among young children. , scabiesⁱ  A contagious skin disorder characterized by itchy skin rashes caused by the tiny burrowing mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. , and psoriasis have been associated with severe itching and rashes, which may increase the probability of experiencing itchy skin at night, leading to scratching and cuts (3), (4), (5).

As per the American Academy Of Dermatology Association, psoriasis affects approximately 7.5 million people in the United States. It primarily occurs in adults, with the highest proportion seen in individuals aged 45 to 64. About 25-30% of people with psoriasis also experience joint inflammation known as psoriatic arthritis.

• Flagellate Dermatoses – A type of skin condition that is characterized by the development of marks resembling whiplashes. These scratch marks on your skin may develop as a side effect after a person goes through chemotherapyⁱ  A type of treatment that uses medications or drugs to kill or prevent the growth of cancer cells in the body. (6).

• Dermatographia – This is a type of disease where lightly touching or scratching your skin leads to the development of red scratch marks. These red scratch marks may develop on your skin when you are sleeping (7).

• Scratches From Your Pet – If you wake up with mysterious scratches, it is not always self-inflicted. If you are sleeping with a pet, then chances are they might have scratched you unintentionally while you were sleeping.

• Allergic Reactions – An allergic reaction to a medication, food, or material may lead to you scratching yourself at night while asleep. Other than scratches, you may wake up with swelling, rashes, or red skin (8).

• Sleepwalking – Also known as somnambulism, this is a condition where a person gets up and engages in physical activity while in deep sleep. Due to lack of consciousness in this condition, there is a high probability that you may bump into something and hurt yourself. Sleepwalking may also cause unintentional scratching while navigating your surroundings. Hence, it is crucial for sleepwalkers to keep their sleeping areas safe and free of potential hazards. Studies have shown that sleepwalking has led to people being administered in the hospital with wounds and injuries (9).

Quick Tip

If you scratch or hurt yourself while sleepwalking, ask someone to ease you back to bed during such episodes and seek psychiatric help.

• Pregnancy – If you are pregnant, you will notice that as your belly starts to increase, you develop stretch marks that can itch a lot, which may lead you to scratch yourself when you are asleep (10).

• Insect Bites – If insects such as bed bugs or mosquitoes bite you while you are sleeping, then you might scratch yourself at night and wake up with marks on you.

• Nocturnal Pruritus – As the name suggests, this is a condition where you get the urge to scratch your skin at night. This may disrupt your sleep pattern and chances are you may wake up with scratch marks in the morning (11).

Did You Know?

Nocturnal pruritus commonly occurs during the N1 and N2 stages (10% and 50% of sleep time, respectively) of the sleep cycle (16).

When To See A Doctor

Most often, when you wake up with light scratches, they tend to resolve on their own. But if you see a sign of infection or bleeding, and the itching still persists, then it is advisable that you go visit a doctor. In the next section, let’s see how your doctor may diagnose the scratches on your skin.

Diagnosis Of Scratches On Skin

Your doctor will first conduct a physical examination to review your medical history and get a better understanding of the nature of the scratches and determine whether it is due to an allergic reaction, skin disease, or something else. If it is due to these factors, then your doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment for the same. If your doctor cannot find any known reasons for these scratches, then he/she might refer you to a sleep specialist. The sleep specialist may do a sleep study to observe your behavior during sleep and then may prescribe the appropriate treatment for you (2). Let us look at the different treatment options available for scratches on your skin. If you have a particular skin condition, you may be eligible for a prescription cream.

Treatment Options

Find below a few treatment options available for you depending on the underlying cause of this condition.

• Topical Creams And Moisturizers – If you develop itching due to skin conditions such as scabies or psoriasisⁱ  An autoimmune disease that causes the buildup of skin cells, leading to scaly patches and inflamed rashes on the scalp and elbows. , then the effective treatment might be to apply different topical creams and moisturizers. These products, when applied, can help reduce the itching and keep your skin moisturized (4),(5).

• Medication – If the underlying cause of itching is due to an allergic reaction to a substance or food, consult your doctor. To reduce the symptoms, your doctor will prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids which can help combat the urge to itch (12).

• Apply Natural Ingredients For Minor Cuts – If you have light or minor cuts, you can apply home remedies for skin itching, like aloe vera gel, which has been used for centuries to treat minor cuts (13).

As they say, prevention is better than cure. Let us read about the different ways to prevent yourself from scratching during your sleep.

How To Prevent Scratches And Cuts

You will find below a list of simple tips that can reduce the risk of developing scratching yourself at night. They are:

• Reduce The Stress In Your Life – You may not know this, but stress and anxiety have been linked to increased itching and vice versa (14). Just before going to sleep, we might be plagued with many stressful thoughts that result in anxiety itching during sleep. To make sure you reduce the stress in your life, try mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, or listening to music to relax your mind before going to bed (15).

• Keep your nails short or trimmed to reduce the risk of painful and deep scratches.

• If your scratches are due to your pet, then sleep alone for a few days in a separate room.

• Moisturize yourself regularly to avoid dry skin. This reduces the chances of scratching your skin. Create a daily routine that ensures good skin care while sleeping as this reduces the chances of scratching your skin.

• Wear soft cotton gloves at night to keep yourself from scratching.

• Spray your room with insect repellent to prevent insects from coming in and biting you.

Infographic: Best Treatment Options If You Wake Up With Scratches

Waking up with scratches and cuts on your body can be quite upsetting and a distressing experience that may involve discomfort. The most likely explanation is that you unintentionally scratch yourself while asleep. On the other hand, several skin disorders and rashes can also mimic the symptoms of scratch marks. Check out the infographic below to learn about some of the ways to treat them depending on the underlying cause.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Will an itch go away if you don’t scratch it?

No. It may increase your urge to scratch. If you have uncontrollable itching, you must visit your dermatologist immediately.

How long do scratches last on the skin?

This depends on the severity of the scratch. If it is a minor scratch, it will heal within 7 to 10 days. But if it is a deeper one, the healing procedure may take more time.

Is it common to wake up with scratches and cuts?

No, it is not common to wake up with scratches and cuts, but if you have been experiencing this, it can indicate underlying health or mental conditions. It is best to consult a doctor and get diagnosed.

Are there any lifestyle changes that can help to prevent waking up with scratches and cuts?

Lifestyle changes like sleeping on soft and comfortable bedding material, trimming nails, and moisturizing dry skin can help reduce the risk of scratches and cuts which can lead to scars. Stress is also a reason for this, so try to manage it effectively and avoid stressful situations.

What advice can be offered to someone who frequently wakes up with scratches and cuts?

You can adapt to a healthy sleeping routine for good sleep quality like, switching off screens before going to bed, using a humidifier to add moisture to air and prevent dry skin, wearing protective clothing like long-sleeved gloves, and trimming nails regularly to prevent accidental scratching. However, it is essential to consult a doctor to diagnose and treat this issue.

Illustration: Waking Up With Scratches On Your Skin? What Could It Be?

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Watch this informative video to learn more about what causes itching sensation all over your body and what effective treatment methods can help you relieve it.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Schwarzburg MD

 

Dr. Schwarzburg is a leading authority in the field of minimally invasive cosmetic and laser medicine in New York City. He is an Ivy League school graduate with 7 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology and regenerative medicine.

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Eshna DasAssociate Editor

 

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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