Skin picking

[Lucky2shoes]

I'm quite embarrassed but I can't defeat my skin picking habit I'm constantly doing it I pick my ears, back, elbows, scalp and will procrastinate whilst doing it to the point that it takes me ages to move and get things done.
I am making myself bleed etc what can I do and what's wrong with me why am I doing this.

I get it 😂

Omg yes…. The dark background!!

Heck maybe I'm not so abnormal after all 😂

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!

Yes I get told off by my dp as well which infuriates me

I do know I'm doing it and my favourite place is behind my ears where I love pulling the bits out through my hair.

Same.
It really works for me.

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

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 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 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

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!

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.

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?

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.

I’ve always done this. My thumbs and my feet. I’ve just kind of accepted it as it would take a lot of effort to stop, but then it’s not affecting other parts of my life. It’s a relief to see I’m not the only one tbh!! I have always felt like it was just another way I was weird.

I do it too. Don't think I have adhd but I do have ocd.

I am a terrible picker, not neurodivergent as far as I know but am very anxious!
Teen DD is autistic though and picks her head to the point she is in agony, if she wears acrylic nails then she can't pick, even had to get a doctors note for school to say she has to have her nails done 😅 as you can imagine that went down well with a mainstream high school.....

I can recommend covering picking areas with micropore tape or putting plasters over the tip of your picking nail. At the very least it can heal a bit.
That said I have tape across a small area on my arm that started before covid.

I see some of you mentioned creams but I find that the next day the end result of creams after they've dried up is a lovely fresh set of fresh peelings ready to pick off

Anyone do this with feet? Asking for friends

Yes also picked at lips

Me too. I've gone through phases of having enormous raw bits of skin, bigger than 50p coins on my thighs and still picked then even though it's excruciating. I'm diagnosed BPD since the age of 19 but now in my 30s I really think I was misdiagnosed. I have so many behaviours that point more to ADHD.

I do this with my feet and toenails. I need to stop. It’s anxiety related I think. Not aware of having ADHD.

Like others have said, it's dermatillomania. For as long as I can remember, like primary school age, I've picked at my lips until they bleed/are really sore. I also pick at the skin around my thumbs, will cause hangnails and with pick at any sort of imperfection on my skin which obviously causes more. I've had anxiety for years, and am generally introverted/struggle with social settings. I've wondered about ADHD myself.