How To Scratch During Sex – 14 Wild Techniques

You’re about to learn how to scratch your partner during sex to drive them wild, why guys like to be scratched during sex, and what it means when a girl scratches your back.

You can jump straight to the techniques for scratching his back during sex, but my advice is to do a little prep first. This includes getting consent and some general hygiene and nail maintenance to make sure there aren’t any negative side effects from your sex scratches.

Consent

Before scratching your partner, you need to think about consent. It’s worth checking in with them to see how they feel about getting scratched. Some people may not like it at all, and others may only want light sex scratches or for you to avoid certain parts of their body.

Side note: What men want in bed – 8 things.

You may want to talk about safe words so that your partner can alert you to pause or stop if you’re doing any sort of consensual nonconsent play

Preventing Infection

While many people do not intend to break the skin when scratching their partner’s back, it’s easy to do accidentally.

For some, that’s the goal! However…

Infection is never wanted.

To prevent infection, start with clean hands and nails. You can go the extra mile and scrub beneath your nails with a nail brush. Check out the nail maintenance tips in the next section to learn how to deal with your nails specifically.

After your session is done, make sure your partner cleanses any scratched area with soap and water. You might need to help wash his scratched back after sex. Next, you could apply an antibiotic spray to be extra safe. For especially deep sex scratches, cover the wound with a bandage or gauze.

If the area becomes infected, you may need to seek medical attention.

Maintaining Your Nails for Back Scratching

Specific nail care will depend on the type and treatment of nails you have:

1. Natural, naked nails
2. Painted natural nails
3. Store-bought stick-on or glue-on nails
4. Salon-quality acrylic or gel nails

All of these nail styles can be used for scratching as long as your nails are healthy and not overly sharp, rough, or jagged, which could scrape or cut his skin in ways you don’t want. If your nails are too rigid or soft, they could break or tear while you’re scratching someone, leaving your nails and/or manicure in a mess.

We’ll start with basic nail care for natural nails before moving on to other types of nails.

1. Natural Nails

At the very least, make sure you have no jagged edges. This includes after cutting, when they can be sharp. Taking some time to quickly file your nails helps ensure you only leave the claw marks you want to.. and can help protect your nails, too.

If you’re more worried about your nails, make sure there are no cracks or tears. Even if you patch them, scratching might undo the repair. Either cut them shorter or avoid using that nail until it grows out stronger. Consider using nail and cuticle oil if your nails are too dry.

While a base or clear coat can lend strength to your nails, avoid products that make them diamond-hard. Focus on using a product that lets your nails flex a bit.

Why?

If they’re too rigid, they could break when you really press them into your partner’s skin

2. Painted Nails

Avoid back scratching during sex with freshly painted nails unless you want to mess up your polish. Paint thin layers and give each a few minutes to dry before the next. Wait at least a few hours before using your nails and use a drying topcoat to preserve your polish.

3. Store-bought Nails

Store-bought nails don’t always have the staying power of salon nails, especially if they use stickers rather than glue. Consider swapping out stickers for a strong glue or…

Just avoid scratching your partner’s back when you have store-bought nails.

4. Salon Nails

Salon nails have pros and cons.

One major downside is that pressure could cause your salon nails to pop off, especially if they’re poorly applied.

Nails applied at a salon can also weaken your natural nails, so hard scratching could cause them to tear or break off…

Along with your own nails!

Also, be careful with square nails, which have sharp corners.

How to Scratch Your Partner’s Back – 6 Techniques

Here are some great techniques for scratching your partner’s back.

1. Gentle Grazing

Think of grazing as a gentle scraping with the tips of your fingernails. It’s enough to lightly press into the skin without cutting or leaving nail scratch marks. Grazing can be a good warm-up during foreplay (22 hot foreplay ideas). Plus, you can combine it with a massage.

Many guys (and girls) adore gentle grazing on their scalp, too.

2. Raking

Raking, or dragging, is like grazing but with more pressure. It might leave a mark that will eventually fade, but won’t break the skin.

3. Digging In

You can dig your nails into your partner’s back. You can do it with light, moderate, or very intense pressure.

Afterward, get his feedback. Some guys adore the pain as you intensely dig your nails into his back or shoulders…or ass.

4. Scratching

You can move your fingers back and forth, scratching the same area, over and over…almost like scratching an itch.

5. Grip Him

If your fingers are grasping your partner and your nails are pressing into his skin, you may be able to hold him in place. Preventing him from moving can force him to stay in a certain position or angle, giving you the pleasure you desire, while also showing your passion for him.

Also, you can grip your man tightly and wait for him to move, so he “causes” the scratch.

6. Mark Him

Using more pressure as you run your nails down his back, shoulders, and arms can leave a mark.

8 More Back Scratching Tips

Here are a few tips for getting even more out of scratching during sex…

1. Get Him Aroused First

A lot of people love sex scratches, but…

Only after they’re sufficiently turned on.

This is similar to any pain during sex or kinky activities. The difference between bad pain and good pain is usually one of arousal and anticipation.

So if your partner is not usually a fan of sex scratches, make sure to turn him on first.

2. When He’s Close To Orgasm

Dig in a little harder as he approaches orgasm. If you do this often enough, he might associate the pain with orgasm, and you might even be able to get to the point where you can make him cum hard from your scratching alone!

Go deeper: 4 tips to make him cum hard and fast.

3. Use Sound

If your nails are long enough to tap, you can use that sound in fun ways, from tapping rhythmically to moving closer to his body. You can also make noise by scratching certain materials.

4. Switch It Up

Switching between different types of scratching during sex is a great way to keep things fresh.

• Move between light or soft touches
• Dig in deep and grip him, then later softly graze him
• Leave marks in his back after sex, then the next time, don’t leave any marks at all
• etc.

5. Make It a Game

If you’re creative, the sky’s the limit! You could have your partner try to guess what you’re drawing or writing on their skin, which finger you’re using, or how many fingers you’re using. You can also randomly switch from tapping or massaging your partner to scratching.

Check out these 6 BDSM games.

6. Gloves

If you want to explore your scratching fetish in a more extreme way, gloves might be the answer.

You can find gloves with

• Spikes
• Nails
• Studs in them
• Vampire gloves are a common example that can be used for scratching during sex or even during spanking
• You can also buy finger claws that you slip on each finger to give yourself long nails for scratching his back

7. Get/Give feedback

Getting feedback is an important part of any relationship, and sex is no exception.

To make sure your partner is comfortable, check in with them. Ask if they want you to do anything different or even pause.

Get tips for talking about sex.

8. Don’t Forget the Rest of the Body

You’re not limited to only scratching your partner’s back!

You might find that arms, legs, chests, butts, and even genitals can all make fantastic targets.

Longer/larger body parts are better for dragging, while smaller body parts might only have room for you to press your nails into your partner’s flesh.

Nails can also be used to pinch parts that stick out, like the ears or nipples, or…

Stimulate areas with loose skin, like the scrotum.

Related: 12 Ways To Use Nipple Play For More Intense Sex

Finally, don’t forget about his head. Many people love scratches along their scalp and through their hair, and if your partner’s hair is long enough, you can pair this with some gentle tugging and hair pulling. In fact, some men will find this as much of a turn on as back scratches.

Why Do Guys Like Back Scratches?

While many people like scratching for a specific reason, some can’t even explain why they like it.

Below are some reasons why your partner might enjoy having his back scratched:

• Primal – It’s more animalistic and raw. He might even have a primal kink.
• Passion – They like it when you physically express your passion. It shows you’re really into it.
• Rough sex – They like things rougher in the bedroom.
• Intensity – Intense sex can help keep them in the moment and lead to more physical pleasure.
• Mementos – The back scratches from sex are a physical reminder of your time together and may mark them as “yours.”
• Masochism – They like pain (some masochists are submissive, too).
• Kink – They have a specific scratching kink.
• Shivers – The physical sensation of scratches on the back from sex can cause shivers, making nipples erect and the body more sensitive.

Related: Complete List of 257 Kinks & Fetishes

Do Women Also Like Their Backs Scratched During Sex?

Yes, some women like having their backs scratched during sex! And often for the same reasons that men like sex scratches.

Because women tend to wear more form-fitting clothing and underwear, including bras, it’s important to take care with the sexual act of scratching. Sex scratches, especially deep ones, can be painful under certain clothing or during some activities.

Why Do Women Scratch During Sex?

You’ll find that a lot of the reasons why women like scratching their partners during sex complement the reasons why men like being scratched.

• Some women may enjoy being primal, expressing themselves passionately, or having rough sex
• They may want to mark their partners or leave them with a memento from sex
• It may just be a natural response to pleasure
• It may be something they do for a partner who has asked for it.
• They may have a sadistic (and possibly dominant) side. Sadism is the other half of S&M.

Do Men Also Like to Scratch Their Partners During Sex?

Some men absolutely like scratching their partners during sex. However, most men typically have shorter nails, so male partners may not be able to offer the type of scratching a woman likes.

Hopefully, you now understand why so many people love back scratches during sex and how to leave scratch marks on his back if that’s your thing. Whether you love scratches that you receive or those you give, there’s a lot of fun to be had!

Lastly, if he’s not a big fan of scratching during sex, don’t worry. There are plenty of other things to try in bed.