Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Are you a picker? I need to stop

21 replies

PlaymobilPirate · 14/12/2019 00:09

I habitually lick at skin on my scalp and behind my ears. It's disgusting and sore but I can't seem to stop

I think there's a name for it. I'm not stressed or anxious so it's not that. I keep planning to stop and I need to find a way to keep moisturised and clear up the patches but I just keep picking!

Anyone managed to stop?

OP posts:

Spacebowlisback · 14/12/2019 00:10

How on Earth are you managing to lick your scalp?

Spacebowlisback · 14/12/2019 00:11

Oh pick! Sorry! I thought you were picking your nose and licking your scalp.

Original poster

PlaymobilPirate · 14/12/2019 00:12

Oh shite... I mean pick!!

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Skin conditions

OneHanded · 14/12/2019 00:16

I pick my legs - it started as a ingrown hair thing and quickly escalated from there. I’ve also had a hole in my elbow for nearly a year now that I still pick at as it (veeeeeery slowly) heals!
I’m sorry that doesn’t help you but you’re not alone in your anxiety habit!

Original poster

PlaymobilPirate · 14/12/2019 00:19

I love doing it at the time but my scalp is a mess and I'm avoiding the haircut I really could do with

OP posts:

BoomBoomBoomLetMeHearYouSay · 14/12/2019 00:21

I do this. I will pick at spots, milia. Any blemish really.
I think mine is stress related

shivermetimbers77 · 14/12/2019 00:22

Hi, there is a name for this: Dermatillomania. Millions of people around the world experience it so youre not alone. There is a lot of information out there about how you can stio abx some great websites and user forums.. Its a.disorder that is linked to OCD, so therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can relly help. This book may also help:
www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Body-Focused-Repetitive-Behaviors-Comprehensive/dp/1684033640/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=overcoming+skin+picking&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1576282872&sr=8-1

shivermetimbers77 · 14/12/2019 00:23

Sorry for all the weird typos! Typing on my phone...

Spacebowlisback · 14/12/2019 00:25

It does seem to tap into something quite habitual and primal. Do you think it’s to do with when we were primates rooting for parasites in our fur?

Tubridy · 14/12/2019 00:25

I just came on here to say ^How long is your tongue???’

Profilejacket · 14/12/2019 00:26

My fingers are picked to shreds at the moment. It comes and goes but ramps up at times of stress. I can sometimes stop by putting plasters ok but need to be vigilant as it’s obv quite tempting to pick at them too. There’s a patch on my thumb which hasn’t healed for nearly a decade because I can’t leave it alone

ToTheRegimentIWishIWasThere · 14/12/2019 07:28

Same!! Literally exact same! Other people think picking is so disgusting but I've done it as long as I can remember and don't even realize I'm doing it a lot of the time now. Definitely worse when I'm stressed or worried. Also pick my lips, or any scab or patch of dry skin etc. I've heard CBT can help.

Peanutbutteryogurt · 14/12/2019 07:35

I do the same to my scalp OP! I really want to stop, I also need a haircut and a hair dye. I have managed to stop before and then I just start again a few months later.

Cheesymonster · 14/12/2019 07:38

I pick my thumbs until they bleed. Happens more when I’m in an anxious situation. I’ve heard that getting acrylic nails helps because then you can’t get any “purchase” to dig into the skin.

bonzo77 · 14/12/2019 07:38

I go through phases. At times my feet or scald or face have been in tatters. Usually my feet, so bad I can barely walk. It’s worst when I’m anxious. I’ve found rubbing the affected areas with moisturiser is a just about adequate substitute and let’s them heal. I’m less picky once it’s healed. Also wearing socks in bed and watching pimple popping videos on Instagram (!) is a good distraction.

ToTheRegimentIWishIWasThere · 14/12/2019 07:57

I pick my thumbs until they bleed. Happens more when I’m in an anxious situation. I’ve heard that getting acrylic nails helps because then you can’t get any “purchase” to dig into the skin.

This i find is true, but they have to be thicker nails rather than a gel/shellac. The negative of it is that unless you get then done every three weeks then they start lifting and then you start picking and biting at them, then once you've got one off, you pick the nail underneath, and then by the time you've realised you've picked off four nails, you're all scabby and your actual nails are also trashed.

MistyMinge2 · 14/12/2019 08:07

I'm a scalp picker as well. Have been from about the age of 10. Definitely worse when I'm stressed. I try hard to stop for a while when I'm due a haircut but I'm sure my hairdresser must be wondering what on earth I've been up to. I worry that the long term affects will be by hair starting to fall out

Weatherwaxed · 14/12/2019 08:13

It's a very similar condition to trichotillomania, which is pulling out hair.
As pp said above it's on the ocd spectrum and CBT is very effective.

PanicAndRun · 14/12/2019 08:13

I'm a picker too. When really stressed obsessively so. Mostly fingers. Only thing that helped was fake nails as I can't do it with them on , or if I do it I can't cause anywhere near as much damage.

LaBarbera · 14/12/2019 09:38

I got gels to grow out my severely picked nails (people always assume it's biting, but in my case it was picking) and then had them removed when the damage was grown out and changed to a semipermanent gel manicure that lasts about two weeks at a time. Having the thicker artificial nails really did help with other picking behaviours too. The gels are expensive and your nails are very weak when you have them removed but honestly, any amount of damage they caused was far, far less than I would have done myself. I recommend this route: it's still cheaper than private CBT (which I would love but can't stretch to)!

LaBarbera · 14/12/2019 09:40

The semipermanent manicure is also pretty much unpickable, but I also suspect the habit is broken enough that I can resist the urge anyway. Even when my nails were weaker and would break or chip, I managed to file the break down until I could get to the manicurist again. I have never had healthy nails since I was perhaps seven or eight, so this is a huge difference :)

Flip