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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)

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Compulsive Scab Picking

Answered by

Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates

This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development

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MedHelp Member's Question

Compulsive Scab Picking

by L Bradley, Oct 26, 1999 12:00AM

Tags: compulsive, child, child behavior, acne, Health, Work, years, Mental Health

Since you often receive queries about "scab picking", I thought that perhaps you could help me make known a website that I have founded where this may be discussed....link follows. Also, if you have any information to contribute to the site, it will be appreciated.

Dermatillomania : "self excoriation", "scab picking".

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/dermatillomania

Thank you!

Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.

, Oct 26, 1999 12:00AM

Dear L. Bradley,

Thank you for the information.

Member Comments (6)

by MC, Jun 02, 2000 12:00AM

hi, i'm 22 and have scars all over my body from picking my scabs my whole life, and I still do it...It seems to be uncontrollable. are there any sites on the web for advice, i've searched, and haven't found any yet.

by BF__, Jun 30, 2000 12:00AM

I TOO HAVETHIS PROBLEM, 26 YEARS OLD, SUCCESSFUL AT WHAT I DO, NO OTHER HEALTH OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, BUT MY MINOR ADULT ACNE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM BECAUSE I PICK. ACNE, BUG BITS, ANYTHING. I EVEN CUT MY FINGERNAILS TO THE QUICK HOPING THAT WILL HELP, BUT ONLY A FEW DAYS PASS AND i AM PICKING AGIAN. I AM GOING TO CHECK OUT THAT WEBSITE. IT'S NICE TO KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ADULT WHO HASN'T YET FOUND A WAY TO CONTROL HER OWN FINGERTIPS!

IT WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING TO FIND OUT ABOUT RESEARCH ON THIS. I REMEMBER EVEN WHEN I WAS YOUNG A FASCINATION WITH ANY SCRATCHES OR SCRAPES I GOT.

by Christy, Aug 18, 2000 12:00AM

HI,

I am also a compuslive scab picker. I have sooooo many scabs on my head and legs. I just can't stop picking....what has helped anyone. I am trying to stop but just can't. I work but will go to work and go to the bathroom just to pick. Help

christy

by ac, Nov 15, 2000 12:00AM

I am 22 years old. I have been unable to control my compulsion to pick scabs since I was a child (6 or 7 years old). I have scabs all over my body, mostly my scalp and legs. I have not found help anywhere. This is the first evidence I have even come across that there are other people like me out there!

by dottie, Nov 16, 2000 12:00AM

Hi. I've been combing the web myself for some help with my picking. When I was a child I always picked at my legs -- they were forever scarred with scabs, bug bites, etc. As I got older it eventually lead to my face. I am now 35 years old with two beautiful daughters. I hate the fact that they see me picking at my face. I have mild acne but it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't pick at it. I will have 3-6 scabs on my face and 1-2 on my legs and arms going at one time. I HATE IT!!! But I can't seem to make myself stop. I'm finally seeing a therapist who put me on Celexa. Only two weeks on and I haven't really seen an improvement but I know it will take time. I have so many other wonderful qualities and if I didn't pick my face I would be a beautiful woman. I'm a runner and have been for 15 years. How can I be so disciplined in one area and not beable to overcome this. If anyone is interested in a support group on-line please e-mail me at ***@****. Good luck to all.

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