[Phobicperson]

I don't know if this is under this section but does anyone know how to deal with excessive skin picking? Thanks..

[BlessedRhiannon]

For me - it took therapy and medication to get it under control.

[jadedbutterfly]

Originally Posted by Phobicperson

I don't know if this is under this section but does anyone know how to deal with excessive skin picking? Thanks..

I do, it's fairly new for me. Think it gets bad when I am stressed out. I don't know how to deal with it. I have tried keeping my nails cut short, but I still manage to do it.

[jadedbutterfly]

Just spoke with someone who has ocd and has had problems with this....
Suggestion: put some neosporin (or other booboo cream) on the area(s) you are picking at... so when your fingers unconsciously go to that area the cream will make it feel different...changing it to being on a conscious level.. and you can stop and take charge of the compulsion.

[jadedbutterfly]

Ok.... I just tried the neosporin cream..... after about 5 mins all it did was make me kinda itch.. I was super aware of the areas I pick at. So I washed it off with a gentle face wash.. put some light cream on..
So .. it worked for him... but not for me. Just goes to show that we are all very different.

[Grey Matter]

Hello! I have dermatillomania. I have learned some things over time that have helped and some things that have flubbed majorly. Like jadedbutterfuly, the neosporin never worked for me. If anything it made me more compulsive. But give it a go and see how it works for you! Things I have tried and have helped me,

- Keep bottle caps. You see the plastic lining inside? That is the perfect distraction and keeps your hands busy with the picking action. So you get the feeling of calm/satisfaction/stress relief/etc without damaging your skin.

- Keep rubber bands on you. Like the bottle caps, picking at the rubber takes time. And it keeps your hands busy. This especially helps if you've been picking at a spot over and over again and you need to let it heal.

- There are these fine motor/sensory toys called Tangles. They keep your hands and mind busy and can be extremely soothing (a lot of Tangles feature bits with different rubbery and softer textures and go to smooth and hard).

- Stress balls help as well and happen to be way cheaper than a Tangle. Those balls with the strings of rubber connected to them have also helped me loads.

For me, it all comes down to keeping my hands busy. I have sensory processing disorder as well, so these alternatives have all been really soothing to me. Give some a go, and see what works for you. I hope it gets easier soon.

[Phobicperson]

Thanks, I will try some of the things, hope it works!

[riskart123]

Originally Posted by Phobicperson

I don't know if this is under this section but does anyone know how to deal with excessive skin picking? Thanks..

First of all, please excuse my spelling and grammar...

I have that problem too. I can't find any other section for skin picking alone.

It has been going on and off for me since I was 13. I am now 50. It has recently been really bad. Mostly pick at my buttocks, now started on my legs and back of neck area. went to the dermatologist, he gave me a stingy alchohol prescript along with a topical steroid. It has help heal it quicker. without scabs, i have less to pick at.

i have been in and out of therapy and on medications for depression, dissasociation, ptsd and small bouts of skitzophrenia. I have never told any doctors until recently about it because i was embarrased and thought nobody else did it until i looked it up on the internet and found out i was not alone.

i have cut myself one time and have been tempted several, but have not.

how are you doing with yours? I would love to chat with you about it!

[Phobicperson]

Well, for me, it's mainly comcentrated on my thumbs... They have bled before, many times. I also pick at whatever scans I have anywhere in my body until the bleed as well. My ears and toes too..

[coolhair]

What works for me best is keeping the lights off or dimmed in the bathroom and around mirrors, so that I can't see what I'm doing. This really helps with my face and legs. Keeping your hands busy would be best if actual spots and bumps are what's triggering you.

[Phobicperson]

No way, I can't be in the dark in my bathroom. I'm trying to keep my hands busy but it's hard cause I can't find something small enough to carry around all the time

[Grey Matter]

I'm sorry to hear it's hard, Even though I know it is. Have you maybe thought of picking up a guitar pick? Those are small, and can be carried anywhere. I got a case of 100 for $2.

[Phobicperson]

Okay I'll go and get one thanks!

[deborahcross]

Just chiming in. I also have had dermatillomania since I was a teenager and I'm now 51. I have a history of PTSD, depressions and binge eating disorder. My adult acne doesn't help. In addition, I've been dealing with a chronic illness since 2000. I appreciate some of the previous suggestions. Overnight I sometimes put neosporin and bandaids over the scabby bits to prevent me from picking and to allow the areas to heal. But I take the bandaids off in the morning because my skin is sensitive to the adhesive. Not to mention needing to bathe the areas anyway. But it still ultimately doesn't seem to stop the urge to pick, which is overwhelming. Clicking at this keyboard is something to do with my fingers at least .

All the best, y'all.

deborahcross