Skin picking

I pick the skin on my thumbs and around my nails, I just thought it was progression from other habits. Since childhood I have bitten and picked my lips, bitten my tongue until sore, bitten nails. A habit stops and another always starts.

My youngest does this. They recently found a ‘picky stone’ online. Basically a pumice stone with latex in the holes that you can then pick out. Has anyone used one?

Solidarity! I struggled with skin picking for 10 years from the age 16. I used to pick my face and arms and legs to the point where it would bleed. It was satisfying at the time but after I would feel immense shame - it definitely affected my social life as I was too embarrassed to go out. I also have ADHD, but I think it was more a soothing thing (ie. a very unhealthy way of handling anxiety). I haven't picked my skin for 2 years (except for the occasional annoying spot!). Something that helped my was investing in some of the ordinary skincare. It was the first time I'd used anything serum/creams, etc. When my skin improved, there was less for me to pick at, and it helped to defeat the vicious cycle. I was surprised because I always thought of myself as having bad skin not realising that it was all self-inflicted. I also realised that I only ever picked when alone, so I would try and get out as much as possible. If I found myself starting to pick, I would put my coat on and go for a walk before I got too far into it. Since I've stopped picking, I've felt more confident and overall happier. Hope this helps someone struggling. But OP, you are definitely not strange, it's quite normal. Skin picking actually releases endorphins, so if you have an addictive personality that can make it super hard to stop.

It’s called dermatillomania. I have it and also suffered from trichotillomania from childhood until my early twenties. I’m also awaiting ADHD assessment. I was offered CBT on the NHS for the trich but managed to stop doing it before I was seen!

I do it too. My thumbs can get really bad and the skin around my nails but Gel nails do help me as I'm not biting my nails anymore. I pick my toenails and can never leave a scab to completely heal. My favourite thing in the world is peeling off the skin after sun burn or doing one of those footners to get rid of hard skin

I have trichotillomania and also pick and bite the skin around my nails and on my thumbs.

I've pulled my hair for almost 30 years now. I've noticed that some parts are no longer growing back ☹️ so I've been using a dermal roller on my scalp along with rosemary oil to try and encourage hair growth. There has been some research that has shown microneedling to be an effective treatment for trichotillomania as it relieves the 'pull' itch and also stimulates hair follicles. I don't know if it would work for skin picking but it may be worth a try.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dth.15824

I love pulling off a big chunk too, especially if it's long. I actually hold my thumbs automatically in an awkward way to hide my thumbs. Even though the gels mean that I can't pick anymore.

I pull out hairs on my legs. I used to do it on eyelashes and eyebrows.

Same.
It really works for me.

I pick the skin on my thumbs to the point they bleed sometimes. Do you all know you are doing it? Coz sometimes I don’t. My DH is always telling me off which I find really annoying as I can’t seem to help it. It does give me comfort for some reason but I know it’s not nice at the same time and he is trying to save my skin!

Omg yes…. The dark background!!

I get it 😂

I do this constantly, I often wonder if I have ADHD

I have adhd wgen I had acrylic nails I couldn’t pick I’ll have to get my nails done I guess

My picking got worse when I went on antidepressants

still picking makes my skin so sore but I can’t stop

But also agree gel nails work!

I do this to my thumbs and some fingers and have recently wondered if I had ADHD… this is interesting

So do I.
I have so much trouble trying to stop doing this.

I do it at times and used to love picking my feet

Did it more as a dc

Don't think I've got ADHD

Also with adhd and a skin picker. I have found being medicated makes the urge to pick worse sadly.
My legs are a complete mess 😩