Gaming Gloves - The Unexpected Tool That Changed My Relationship with Hair Pulling (trichotillomania)
I'll be honest - when a friend from the trichotillomania community first recommended gaming gloves to me, I had no idea what "sensory regulation" meant. I just knew I was I was willing to try anything - and I gave it a shot
So I tried them. And it felt like magic.
Why Driving Was My Biggest Battle
Driving was my number one pulling situation. Hands free, mind on autopilot, beard right there - it was the perfect storm. I was pulling a lot while driving. Now? Most of the time - ZERO.
I never start driving without putting my gloves on. That's how much I trust them.
How They Actually Work
I can't fully explain the science, but my friend called it "sensory regulation" - and whatever it is, it works. The moment the gloves are on, the urge sort of... fades. And even when my hands do drift up toward my beard out of habit, the feeling is different enough that I catch myself and stop almost immediately. The gloves create just enough of a barrier - physical and sensory - to break the automatic loop.
Instead of living in that endless cycle of hand goes up, willpower brings it down, hand goes up again - I get a break. Actual time off from the fight. That shift alone is huge.
What I Tried Before
It took me a while to land on gloves. Here's what I went through first:
- Band-aids - worked, but uncomfortable, wasteful, and suffocating on the fingers
- Rubber finger covers - also worked, but they didn't breathe, were annoying to put on, and wore out fast
Gaming gloves hit the sweet spot.
The Advantages
- Easy to put on and take off
- Breathable - you can wear them for extended periods
- Touchscreen-compatible - no need to remove them for your phone
- Super cheap - a few dollars, order a few pairs since they do wear out
The Limitations - Being Honest
Gaming gloves aren't a magic cure, and they're not for every situation. A few things to keep in mind:
- Not ideal for social settings. I use mine in the car, when working from home, and before sleep - not in social situations
- You can't wear them all day. At home I manage about an hour before I need to take them off. In the car I can go longer, but sometimes you just need a break from them too
- They don't work for everyone. I've recommended these to many people in the community - some love them, some don't feel the effect at all. It's worth trying, but manage your expectations
- Sizing can be tricky for men. These are often made for kids or smaller hands. If you have larger hands, you'll need to search specifically for larger sizes
The Bottom Line
Gaming gloves probably cut my overall hair pulling by dozens of percent, just by eliminating driving as a trigger situation. They're not a cure, but they give me real relief - a break from the constant battle.
If you haven't tried them, just google "gaming gloves" and grab a cheap pair. Worst case, you're out a couple of dollars. Best case, it becomes one of your best tools for managing hair pulling.
By Omer Bialer, SoloUno founder
P.S.
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