I’m a terminally itchy guy. I always have been. When it comes to addressing my never ending bouts with flaky, itchy awful skin, I’m like an artist. I’m the Picasso of picking, the Stravinsky of scratching. I’m the freaking Jackson Pollock of placating pervasive pruritus.
Since many readers are likely amateurs by comparison, I thought it might be nice to share my wealth of scratching strategies. The truly itchy know that any patch of skin is fair game for a flare up, but for many, the most annoying are the ones located on the back. Those pesky spots can only be reached by a few yoga enthusiasts and circus freaks with really long nails.
I’ve taken the liberty of categorizing the implements/strategies for easy reference – since no one with an itchy back has time to be searching for answers.
Traditional Back-Scratchers
Plastic – These are politically incorrect, unless fabricated from recycled milk jugs and lawn furniture.
Bamboo – The green crowd loves these, and they work pretty well. I prefer mine to be sanded to a sharper edge. The few remaining panda bears can damn well eat kale like the rest of us.
New-Fangled Telescoping – These are flawed in design – one good scratch and you’ll never be able to close this thing up again.
Kitchen
Long handled soup spoon – Excellent reach, nice edge, strong stem. Also, you can stir a big pot of soup with it. Dinner guests will appreciate your washing the spoon between scratching and tending to the gumbo.
Ladle – Good reach, stem strength, but flawed edge accessibility due to angle of cup
Serrated Knife – Very effective, but not advised for amateur use.
Classroom
Yard Stick (Meter Stick if scratching abroad) – Excellent reach, though too flexible unless you choke up on your grip.
Ruler – Better rigidity than the yard stick and easier to hide from the teacher. Use the edge with the metal insert for truly evil itches.
#2 Pencil or Bic ballpoint – Not recommended due to poor reach, and increased likelihood of wrecking your favorite white shirt.
Sporting Goods
Lacrosse stick – Traditionally strung – good roughness factor, though has a rather broad scratching surface. Avoid goalie and defense sticks.
Whiffle Ball Bat – Good stiffness, reach, but mediocre roughness, unless you have one that the dog chewed on.
5 Iron – Good grip, excellent reach – angle of the blade face may not be the best – I’d consider a sand wedge here.
Pets
Dogs – As man’s best friend, you’d think that Fido would be a natural choice, however canines can misinterpret body language and may start humping your thigh instead.
Cats – If you can get them to pay attention to you at all, these furry introverts have what it takes in the claw department. If your back bears any resemblance to upholstered furniture, they may get overzealous.
Hamsters – For some reason, these little balls of fluff get nervous anytime people attempt to employ them around the back area.
Paid Help
Man on the Street – If you can subliminally convince them that they are on a hidden camera show and will look like jerks for not scratching, this may result in a vigorous scratch and limit potential demands for reciprocity.
Dominatrix – These aren’t cheap (or so I’ve heard). If they are too into the sadistic end of things, they may refuse to scratch just to watch you squirm. Find one who knows how to use a cat-o-nine-tails and hope for the best.
Co-Workers – In these politically correct, litigious times, this one can be a little risky. You don’t want a threatening call from the lawyer representing Jeannie Whatshername with the nice nails down in accounting. By the same token, you’d be well advised to avoid asking your boss for a good scratch between the shoulder blades. If possible, use an inanimate object instead, such as a mailer tube or even a compact umbrella in the closed position. If you must employ a co-worker, try to avoid moaning or reflexive leg jerking during the scratching.
Spouse/Significant Other – Relationship experts agree that a successful pairing of people requires a degree of give and take. By their reckoning, a spirit of cooperation is key to a long and successful marriage. It should be noted that relationship experts are often divorced and lonely. It doesn’t take a degree in quantum physics to determine that a thirty second, limp-wristed scratching should not equate to your having to do yard work for an hour and a half. Though itching can be intense and with a sudden onset, you need to take a moment to consider your bartering position and history.
I’d write more about this, but I promised my wife I’d cut the grass.
1pointperspective 