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Original poster

Picking skin

20 replies

ScabbyTabby · 30/10/2023 17:55

So ever since I have been a child I cannot leave scabs alone. Its gross I know. This has developed into picking at skin on my feet and hands, lips as well when they are dry, any type of spot or blemish to the point I'm picking or squeezing at nothing and making my face sore and bloody. Some times I pull at skin on my hands and feet and it's so sore and it bleeds. I don't know what to do or how to stop. It's at the point where I can't walk past a mirror without attacking my face. I have scarring all over my body and face from it, I have tried keeping my nails short and avoiding mirrors - we only have two mirrors in our entire house.

I just want to see if anyone else has been able to overcome this and how. I don't have any diagnosed conditions physical or mental so I don't really know where it comes from.

I have a young daughter and I hate thinking she might grow up watching me and have this awful habit :(

OP posts:
Openmouthinsertfood · 30/10/2023 18:37

I pick and pick and pick at scabs, even when it hurts. I'm obsessed with picking my nose to the point it's sore. I think I've recently come to the conclusion that it's a form of self harm?
I don't know if that's the case for you? Perhaps you could chat with a GP and be refered for something like cbt?

Unic0rn · 30/10/2023 18:58

Another picker here.

Apparently excoriation is a form of self harm but I think in some cases it’s more of a habit or out of boredom. I’ve been picking the skin on my fingers since I was a child. Maybe it started as an anxiety relief thing but now I don’t always realise I’ve started doing it. It’s such a repetitive behaviour that accompanies things like watching tv and it’s become normal to me.

It is painful especially when it bleeds but for some reason I don’t want to stop. It looks horrible and I know my daughter has noticed it (she’s 4). I am also worried about passing the behaviour on to her like OP. It might be weird to say but I do enjoy it and I must get some form of feedback from it otherwise I wouldn’t keep doing it. My DH keeps saying it will get infected and they might have to remove a finger. Cbt would definitely be a good option and I think most GPs would refer for any skin picking disorder.

Sorry not much help but totally empathise.

artemis9 · 31/10/2023 08:36

Watching with interest. I went through a very stressful time about 4 years ago and started picking my cuticles when at work. I now just can't stop. It looks horrid and however much I put cuticle oil on them etc I can still feel bits to pick and then start the cycle again. Would love to know how anyone else has managed to stop this kind of habit.

rivercobbler · 31/10/2023 08:48

My 16 yo dd has this (along with other conditions) and allowing her to get acrylic nails has been the solution for a year or so now. She literally can't pick 'properly' with the nails on and her facial skin has improved so much. She occasionally picks at the skin around her nails but can't really do much damage. I am not a 'nails' woman so this was quite a big step for me to allow, especially with the concerns about acrylic allergies, but honestly it feels like a mental health necessity now because of how much it stops the picking.

Bouledeneige · 31/10/2023 15:08

I used to do this a lot. With scabs, blisters, my lip and skin next to my ears. I just stopped. I think when I became addicted to my iPhone!

SwirlyShirly · 31/10/2023 15:11

I'm the same OP it's a mental disorder closely linked with OCD I think called dermatilomania (sp?). I have only managed to quit cold turkey and use fidget toys like spinning rings to distract myself, but I know if I get an ulcer in my mouth it's going to be game over until I've chewed a massive welt. There are a few TikTok channels that provide helpful content on this subject that may be worth a look.

Barleysugar86 · 31/10/2023 15:12

It's a form of self soothing and is a type of OCD in the same line as obsessive hair pulling and is scientifically called dermatillomania. I have had it for most of my adult life. The treatment is to redirect your picking to something such as a fidget toy, or special excavation toys are available if you google.
I haven't tried them. I desperately want the habit gone from a logical point of view but it creates calm for me and I can't bring myself to try.

wishful2012 · 31/10/2023 15:26

Same here !! I need to skin to feel smooth even if it looks worse and at this time of year it’s worse because of dry hands. I hate it

lenalove · 31/10/2023 15:28

I have had this problem for as long as I can remember and the only 2 things that have helped are getting treatment (medication/CBT for my OCD and anxiety - the picking is definitely a symptom of this for me) and acrylic nails.

Hugs to you OP, I know how tough it is xx

SayingwhatIreallythink · 31/10/2023 15:30

wishful2012 · 31/10/2023 15:26

Same here !! I need to skin to feel smooth even if it looks worse and at this time of year it’s worse because of dry hands. I hate it

This is me too. I hate feeling rough bits on my body so pull them off so the scabs never heal. Do like the sensation of picking them off too much too.

TokyoSushi · 31/10/2023 15:30

I have a low level of this, but I have it all the same. For example, I've had a spot on my chin for about 5 weeks now, because every time there is any slight form of scab/crust on it, I pick it straight off again.

IHeartGeneHunt · 31/10/2023 15:34

Dermatillomania. I have trichotillomania which is the hair pulling version. It sucks. Antidepressants have helped me a bit.

Original poster
ScabbyTabby · 01/11/2023 09:50

Thanks you all so much for sharing, it's weird how much better you feel reading that other people are the same. Maybe it is time to seek put some professional advice for it them, see what they say or what comes up. Wishing you all the best

OP posts:
Createausernameargh · 01/11/2023 09:57

I have the same problem. It’s awful. 💐It’s my scalp mainly. I’ve been thinking of having hypnotherapy. Would love to hear if this has helped anyone??

Cazerbella · 31/08/2024 23:39

I'm a face picker, I do it when I'm anxious I just go into auto pilot and attic blackheads and any bump on my face, it gets to the point I'm doing it and almost black out then realise I've been stood there picking my face and I'm full of red patches on my face....it's so unnecessary! But I used to have bad skin and think I seek doing it out of some weird satisfaction where it's like I want to find something to pop or squeeze and end up making my skin bad. I don't have bad skin anymore but you can always find a blocked poor/blackhead when you wanna find one then see 5 more.....it's defo an anxiety thing. Really weird.

Cazerbella · 31/08/2024 23:42

I've also got chin hairs as I've got older which I obsess over and have to pluck, even if that means using tweezers and making myself bleed! Just hate them....once I feel them they have to go Confused

Wigtopia · 31/08/2024 23:44

Unic0rn · 30/10/2023 18:58

Another picker here.

Apparently excoriation is a form of self harm but I think in some cases it’s more of a habit or out of boredom. I’ve been picking the skin on my fingers since I was a child. Maybe it started as an anxiety relief thing but now I don’t always realise I’ve started doing it. It’s such a repetitive behaviour that accompanies things like watching tv and it’s become normal to me.

It is painful especially when it bleeds but for some reason I don’t want to stop. It looks horrible and I know my daughter has noticed it (she’s 4). I am also worried about passing the behaviour on to her like OP. It might be weird to say but I do enjoy it and I must get some form of feedback from it otherwise I wouldn’t keep doing it. My DH keeps saying it will get infected and they might have to remove a finger. Cbt would definitely be a good option and I think most GPs would refer for any skin picking disorder.

Sorry not much help but totally empathise.

This is me. I also do it out of habit but secretly enjoy it. But I annoy myself when it bleeds as it’s embarrassing to erupt blood in public! Mine is mostly the cuticle skin around my fingernails But also lip chewing and sometimes feet. DP also worries about me getting infections from it.

Cazerbella · 31/08/2024 23:44

lenalove · 31/10/2023 15:28

I have had this problem for as long as I can remember and the only 2 things that have helped are getting treatment (medication/CBT for my OCD and anxiety - the picking is definitely a symptom of this for me) and acrylic nails.

Hugs to you OP, I know how tough it is xx

I feel you on this, my acrylic nails help to pick my skin or damage it to be fair! Is this OCD?? I don't do it all the time just go through phases when I'm anxious.

WoahThreeAces · 31/08/2024 23:49

I have this. It's a compulsion and I don't know why I do it but I don't know how not to. It's mainly my hands, they are always bleeding and scabby because I just pick and pick at the skin. I've got lots of hard skin on my fingers.
My kids will tell me to stop picking and I really really do try but I can't stop. It makes no sense - why can't I just...not do it..??

Cazerbella · 01/09/2024 00:05

My mum picks her thumbs, always has! She does it so much her cuticles are pulled back and bleeding. I think it's a habit/coping mechanism in some way with anxiety.

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