View Full Version : itchy beard syndrome
gravy4601
11-12-2009, 23:31
got a weird question for you all seems after a few weeks of growing a beard on or off the trail it gets really itchy and feels like it's growing back into my face like little needles anyone else have this problem and have a cure or way to deal with it on the trail until it gets longer?
Jack Tarlin
11-12-2009, 23:34
Yeah, there's a REALLY easy way to deal with this.
When you hit town, shave.
Nobody says you have to do the wild beard thing your whole trip, and anyway, in most cases, it looks like hell.
schnikel
11-12-2009, 23:44
Or you can do the exact opposite. Let that baby grow. Couple more days and it won't inch anymore.
A little hand lotion will fix it. Like snickle said before let it grow
saimyoji
11-13-2009, 00:34
too bad MS isn't here to offer his views on pogonophobia. :D
Do you wash your face on a daily basis?
You can also shampoo your beard with an anti-itch shampoo like head-and-shoulders.
Panzer
Rubbing alcohol. I have no idea why, but it takes away the itching.
Tipi Walter
11-13-2009, 01:27
Rubbing alcohol. I have no idea why, but it takes away the itching.
This works for me. I take a little nalgene of mint rubbing alcohol and use it mainly for hand washing after the cathole-turtlehead reunion. You can also take a few razors and shave dry w/o a mirror, pretty quick and easy to do in camp. Then again, what's wrong with a full beard?
The Weasel
11-13-2009, 01:33
Comb it, gently. Your facial skin is being irritated by the hair ends. As you train the hair by coming it down, that will end.
Despite what Jack says, a good beard is a delight on the trail.
TW
Tipi Walter
11-13-2009, 01:40
Comb it, gently. Your facial skin is being irritated by the hair ends. As you train the hair by coming it down, that will end.
Despite what Jack says, a good beard is a delight on the trail.
TW
I don't know, I've got a permanent goat-teat and every once in a while there's a buttload of itching going on, like someone opened up a can of chin-itch on my face. Facial jock rot? Whisker crabs? On-board fleas?
bigcranky
11-13-2009, 08:00
When I started growing a beard in college, my then-girlfriend's father (a science prof type who had a great beard), told me to never shave it off. His rationale was that all the problems associated with a beard happen in the first few months (itching, people's reactions, etc.)
Unfortunately, the Army had this thing about shaving, but I stopped on the day my enlistment ended, and have had the beard ever since.
The itching will stop after a short while. If you like the beard, keep it.
mister krabs
11-13-2009, 08:05
shampoo and conditioner instead of soap will take care of it.
my beard's pretty long and it doesn't itch at all.
proper care is the answer, if possible, as much as you can on the trail.
shampoo AND creme rinse. the creme rinse softens the hair folicles and also make your beard nice and fluffy.
using hand soap by itself will most likely make it itch more because it will dry your skin.
Wash your beard with shampoo, comb the hairs which also does a great job of scratching the itch. No reason NOT to grow a beard, hair grows there for a reason.
HYOH, scratch your own face-itch
Ranc0r
.
Chaplain
11-13-2009, 09:29
I'd really recommend like others have said here, personal sanitation on the beard. There is present on the face, as everywhere else, germs and etc., like staph. We all have it present on the skin.
john gault
11-13-2009, 09:46
The mind can only focus on one thing at a time, so I decided to occupy my mind on my itching face in lieu of my aching feet.
The Weasel
11-13-2009, 10:22
I don't know, I've got a permanent goat-teat and every once in a while there's a buttload of itching going on, like someone opened up a can of chin-itch on my face. Facial jock rot? Whisker crabs? On-board fleas?
Still probably the hair rubbing the skin. Lotion or conditioner will help. That's advice for goatees, though. Not sure about 'goat teats'.
TW
droptopbenz
11-13-2009, 10:25
thanks for the advice! ive got a 3week beard that i wanna scratch with a nail!:/
Alligator
11-13-2009, 10:38
I don't know, I've got a permanent goat-teat and every once in a while there's a buttload of itching going on, like someone opened up a can of chin-itch on my face. Facial jock rot? Whisker crabs? On-board fleas?Could be a dermatitis, have a doc look at it, you might need medical shampoo.
ShelterLeopard
11-13-2009, 14:45
I kinda wish I could grow a beard...
Jester2000
11-13-2009, 14:51
A little hand lotion will fix it. Like snickle said before let it grow
Hey now. This is a thread about beards, not onanism.
drastic_quench
11-13-2009, 15:37
I've had a full beard for years now, and I guess I'm lucky, because it never itches or irritates my face.
All the beard advice so far is spot on, though.
keep growing it
wash with shampoo and conditioner
brush
and keep growing it, it's just a phase.
gravy4601
11-13-2009, 15:51
i'll try the hand lotion and hopufly it will help to controll the ichying long enough to let the hair get longer never was able to let it grow longer than a few weeks it got so anoying as far as the bugs that sounds like a persounal problem lol as for the thanks for the advice though from everyone hyope to seeya on the trail this year
gravy4601
11-13-2009, 15:54
This works for me. I take a little nalgene of mint rubbing alcohol and use it mainly for hand washing after the cathole-turtlehead reunion. You can also take a few razors and shave dry w/o a mirror, pretty quick and easy to do in camp. Then again, what's wrong with a full beard?
I tryed the alcohol method (wild turkey) and it worked great soon as i got drunk the ichying stoped all together thanks :banana
sheepdog
11-13-2009, 16:00
got a weird question for you all seems after a few weeks of growing a beard on or off the trail it gets really itchy and feels like it's growing back into my face like little needles anyone else have this problem and have a cure or way to deal with it on the trail until it gets longer?
Use hair conditioner on it. It softens the beard and eliminates the scratchies.
ShelterLeopard
11-13-2009, 19:35
Hey now. This is a thread about beards, not onanism.
Jester!!! This is a family thread... :eek:
too bad MS isn't here to offer his views on pogonophobia. :D
Having a good memory isn't always a good thing.
gravy4601
11-13-2009, 21:49
who is MS ?
DrRichardCranium
11-13-2009, 23:29
Related question: I've been clean-shaven all my life. Is it better to grow the beard out BEFORE the thru-hike, or just wait & grow it during the thru-hike?
le loupe
11-14-2009, 00:33
I kinda wish I could grow a beard...
I think we'd all like you better without one...
Chaplain
11-14-2009, 00:54
As with all "equipment" do the beard experiment at home. You sure are nearer a mirror if it does not work out. (AND hot water!!!!)
WILLIAM HAYES
11-14-2009, 00:56
wash your beard in apple cider vinegar and water it will relieve the itching
ShelterLeopard
11-15-2009, 19:21
I think we'd all like you better without one...
But beards are awesome!
the goat
11-15-2009, 21:20
got a weird question for you all seems after a few weeks of growing a beard on or off the trail it gets really itchy and feels like it's growing back into my face like little needles anyone else have this problem and have a cure or way to deal with it on the trail until it gets longer?
for me, as long as i stick it out for the "itchy week" it goes away. otherwise, if you shampoo & condition it, it will soften the itch.
Procras108r
11-16-2009, 00:06
If your beard is getting to itchy for you, then send her packing and hike with your 'just friends' pal Rufus.