How do I stop DS picking a scab?

[BudaisintheZONE]

He is 8 and got a little spot on his head a year ago. Well he got 2 really and picked and picked and picked at them. Finally stopped picking one and it healed a few months ago but one is still there and he is still sodding well picking it! It is now about he size of my little fingernail and sort of weepy.

I think sometimes he picks in his sleep.

We have tried everything. Bribery. Threats of no Playstation. Warning him that he will end up with a bald patch. DH has threatened to shave the area and put a pig plaster on it.

I did take him to the doctor for a general check up in September and mentioned it then along with some other habits he had and she recommended a child psychologist. We are in Budapest and they do tend to over react at the clinic we go to sometimes!

Am flying to Dublin tonight and was wondering if there is something I can buy to dry it up so that it can heal?

I have used Savlon cream and Boots Tea Tree cream but they haven't done anything. Although I haven't bothered even doing that for ages now.

We have just had a row as DH looked at it and said "Oh DS your head!" as he has obv picked it again and then DH looks at me as if I can do something and I exploded and ended up shouting at DS. So then DH gets annoyed at me for shouting. Am pissed off at DS not being able to stop picking, DH for blaming me and at myself for not being abot to sort it.

We have this with a back of the hand sore. The only way to let it heal is 24/7 plasters. Once one gets picks at a new one goes on and so on and so forth. Problem with piccy spots is they can become impetigo which is highly contagious and requires time off school. Do you think it's infected if it's weepy?

You can buy spray on plasters here, not sure if that would help cover with a 'skin' that might slow down the picking? I think you can get it for blisters and normal cuts. Might be worth a try?

Problem is that unless we shave his head we can't put a plaster on.

I think I have some antibiotic cream that I bought in the States. Will hunt that out and try it for a few days.

The spray on plaster might work if you cut the hair short around the spot. Might be odd for a few days but imagine would wash off with normal shampoo ?

Have you tried a hat?

Would stop him picking it for a little while?

If you can stop him picking for 24/48 hours, it might break the habit enough for him stop.

Maybe try a weekend of loads of hand busying activities. Get him painting and sticking and gardening etc. Lots of stuff that he needs both hands to do and will keep him occupied. If he's up to his elbows in papier mache or cake mix, he's not going to remember about picking, let alone be able to do it!

Might try the spray on plaster idea. I think I have some.

A hat is a good idea but I don't think he would wear it. He is fairly hand busy anyway. Constantly on trampoline or playing football or on computer or playstation. I really do think he picks in his sleep.

hat just for bedtime then?

Or go whole hog and wrap it in a bandage?

If you can get the scab to heal then there'll be nothing to pick. Should only take a few days

Will try the hat at bedtime. Am sure I will get a look if I suggest it!

Have found the antibiotic cream so will put that on.

Am SO weary of it all.

Don't know if this will help but when I was in my early teens I had a spot on my chin that I would not leave alone. Eventually mum told me my headteacher had noticed it and thought it was a serious problem. I have to say this frightened me into leaving it alone after that.
HTH

Did the hat work?