Skin picking and finger protection

[Patchworkted]

I have an awful habit of picking the skin around my fingernails. It used to be the cuticles, but now it's right down to the first knuckle. It hurts, lots awful and has to stop.

I can make some progress if I tape up some fingers to protect them and make it more difficult to do. I've been using plasters or crepe finger tape, but the come off and needs replacing several times a day, giving me a chance to undo all the healing in between times.

Is there something more fit for purpsoe?

It might be worth exploring the underlying cause and tackle that rather than trying to just interrupt it.

I used to pick at my feet a lot as a way of coping with anxiety. There were times I'd removed my entire soles and was hobbling around in extreme pain but I couldn't help but keep going. Once I worked on getting the anxiety to stop, I stopped picking and very rarely feel any urge at all now.

Yes, I know. I've been on a list for CBT for ages. Everything I've read does suggest creating barriers to break the habit.