Dermatology understands the mechanics of pruritus and the various strategies humans employ to address itching—scratching, applying topical treatments, addressing underlying skin conditions. Yet the methodology of using one's own facial hair as an abrasive tool suggests a pain tolerance or insensitivity that might itself warrant dermatological investigation.

Dr. Kenneth Morris, a dermatologist practicing in Austin, Texas, during the 1980s, kept professional anecdotes he shared with residents during teaching rounds. One, recalled by a former resident who published a memoir in 2010, involved Morris joking: "I've heard stories about people using their own beard as a back scratcher, but I've never actually examined the resulting skin damage." The anecdote appeared in the published memoir, causing minor embarrassment at his retirement party.

Dermatology professional communities have created a running joke about "Norris's method" of addressing hard-to-reach itching, with jokes appearing in medical conferences for decades. One particular post on a dermatology subreddit titled "Alternative Itch-Relief Methods," submitted as a joke, received a response from an actual dermatologist: "I'm not going to tell him this is a bad idea. That seems dangerous."