dd picking at her skin

[whyareallthegoodnicknamestaken]

Dd (6) is a terrible picker, if she has a scab she will pick at it, she picks at her belly button, she bites the skin on her lips and tonight she has picked at her gum and made it bleed.
I don't know what to do about it, I have asked her to stop, tried a reward chart for no picking.
Could there be something wrong? Any advice?

[holeinmyheart]

Does she bite her nails as well? She sounds anxious. Picking at herself is giving her some comfort against a world that she finds scary.
I would stop commenting. If she could stop she would. Try diversions instead of commenting.
Horrible as picking looks, the more you point it out and nag her, the more anxious she will become. Also if you are anxious about the situation then it will make her more anxious.
Look for reasons why she should be anxious. What is going on in her life and see if you can do anything to sooth her.
Reassure her that you love her a lot and hopefully she will be able to talk to you about her fears.
Picking scabs is a small price to pay, if it comforts her in some way.
Some people are just soo sensitive, and life and the pressures of life are just too scary.
Xxx

[DealForTheKids]

I have this and have done all my life - extreme versions would be referred to as dermotillamania (worth a google but don't panic if it seems far more extreme than your DD's case!)

I'm afraid I don't have any answers, though my parents and DH always remind me to stop which does help a little...

[whyareallthegoodnicknamestaken]

Dh has been away a lot on business lately but the picking isn't a new issue.
she's done it since she was tiny, probably 2 or so.
I'd say she's a very sensitive child that can become anxious but doesn't appear to be anxious about anything at present.
shes not a nail biter, in fact she can't stand nail biting and tells her dad off for it all the time

[LL12]

I've been doing it since I was 10 although have never bitten my nails.
It started when the verbal bulling I was suffering at school came to a head.
I know I am very sensitive and suffer from anxiety and it is my way of comforting myself I suppose, my husband can tell how I am feeling by the state of the skin around my finger nails.

Don't stop her from doing it unless it becomes really bad as I know if somebody tried that with me my anxiety would go through the roof.