My daughter (8) has been burning herself with a ruler (rubbing a ruler really fast back and forth on her arm until it burns) I have asked her why she does her reply is "it feels good it doesn't hurt at all". All rulers have been taken away. Is this classed as self harm? Do I need to take her to a doctor?
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I would keep a close eye on her but wouldn't take her to the dr unless I see signs of emotional disturbance or other self harm behaviours. I'm remembering a fad where basically wore elastic bands around our wrists at primary school to cut off our circulation and then there was the Chinese burn phase so what your describing sounds like kid behaviour. Id have a discussion though with her class teacher (these things are often happening in groups) and just be on the look out for signs of anxiety/depression etc.
I did the same thing, on my leg. I ran the ruler up and down my shin and ended up with a huge wound which I then had to lie about how I got it! I didn't realise at the time but in hindsight I saw that I did it because if even something like that couldn't hurt me then neither could anyone else. I was being sexually abused (regularly for about five years) and I reasoned that if I was tough physically then nobody could hurt me emotionally or otherwise. I'm not saying your daughter is being hurt but talk to her openly and without judgement, make sure there isn't a reason for her actions. Hopefully she's just fooling around.