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Compulsive Skin Picking (face, arms, legs, and body)
(THIS IS NOT AN ACNE PROBLEM!)
I have a really clean face and body, I just destroy every piece of it by doing this.
Well here, let me tell you my story. I'm 17 years old, the typical high school teen.I have the compulsion of looking in the mirror and standing there for hours looking at every pore on my face then picking. Then it over turned to my whole body, its gotten way worst since I begun doing this since 1 1/2 years ago. Its been putting me down a lot then turning into depression because I can't wear short sleeves or shorts in public without someone noticing i have multiple scabs, bumps, blemishes going everywhere and questioning me about it. I hate this because I thought it was nothing at first, but when I started noticing marks, scars, bumps and never healing scabs that were left after picking or messing with, its become embarrassing. I miss having a clear/clean body and face, but its like a urge to me. Its like an itch that has to be scratched, if you don't itch it, the urge will grow until so. So after I became aware of my problem, I took my time to see if other people had the same symptoms as me, and I actually found a bunch of people. Well I also found something called Compulsive Skin Picking. Which it is but if you search it up on Google, its more of a mental thing, not a hormone imbalance that a drug would take care of it. I recommend not to take any prescribed drugs for this problem, because I can already tell you NONE will work. Probably just a medication that would mess with your mind or make you depressed. Try these helpful hints that I'm going to be trying out also...
When tempted to pick, care for your skin by applying a moisturizing lotion instead.
Cover or remove mirrors if they act as a trigger and get rid of all implements such as tweezers and pins used for picking.
Consider the use of artificial nails to make picking more difficult, it may work for some.
Wear rubber fingertips or cotton gloves whenever possible if you feel the urge to pick.
Try replacing some of the sensory aspects of skin-picking with a more desirable alternative. For example, keep an object by you that you can manipulate (squeeze or pull) such as a soft rubber ball.
( I play with a rubber band around my wrist to occupy my hands when the urge comes.)
Keep your hands busy with something else such as a puzzle or knitting.
If you bite the inside of your cheeks try eating crunchy snacks when you feel the urge to bite.
Reward yourself for making progress with some kind of treat.
As you gain more confidence gradually begin to expose your hands, arms, face or legs to others starting with family and friends. You will no doubt benefit from their support but at the same time the negative consequences of engaging in your habit will be increased.
If all fails, get advice on skin care. If you have a skin complaint see a dermatologist.
(I went to a bunch of doctors and all they give you is acne cream or something along that lines. Most of the doctors won't understand until you explain every little detail of you problem that your having so they can get an idea of whats happening.)
I have a really clean face and body, I just destroy every piece of it by doing this.
Well here, let me tell you my story. I'm 17 years old, the typical high school teen.I have the compulsion of looking in the mirror and standing there for hours looking at every pore on my face then picking. Then it over turned to my whole body, its gotten way worst since I begun doing this since 1 1/2 years ago. Its been putting me down a lot then turning into depression because I can't wear short sleeves or shorts in public without someone noticing i have multiple scabs, bumps, blemishes going everywhere and questioning me about it. I hate this because I thought it was nothing at first, but when I started noticing marks, scars, bumps and never healing scabs that were left after picking or messing with, its become embarrassing. I miss having a clear/clean body and face, but its like a urge to me. Its like an itch that has to be scratched, if you don't itch it, the urge will grow until so. So after I became aware of my problem, I took my time to see if other people had the same symptoms as me, and I actually found a bunch of people. Well I also found something called Compulsive Skin Picking. Which it is but if you search it up on Google, its more of a mental thing, not a hormone imbalance that a drug would take care of it. I recommend not to take any prescribed drugs for this problem, because I can already tell you NONE will work. Probably just a medication that would mess with your mind or make you depressed. Try these helpful hints that I'm going to be trying out also...
When tempted to pick, care for your skin by applying a moisturizing lotion instead.
Cover or remove mirrors if they act as a trigger and get rid of all implements such as tweezers and pins used for picking.
Consider the use of artificial nails to make picking more difficult, it may work for some.
Wear rubber fingertips or cotton gloves whenever possible if you feel the urge to pick.
Try replacing some of the sensory aspects of skin-picking with a more desirable alternative. For example, keep an object by you that you can manipulate (squeeze or pull) such as a soft rubber ball.
( I play with a rubber band around my wrist to occupy my hands when the urge comes.)
Keep your hands busy with something else such as a puzzle or knitting.
If you bite the inside of your cheeks try eating crunchy snacks when you feel the urge to bite.
Reward yourself for making progress with some kind of treat.
As you gain more confidence gradually begin to expose your hands, arms, face or legs to others starting with family and friends. You will no doubt benefit from their support but at the same time the negative consequences of engaging in your habit will be increased.
If all fails, get advice on skin care. If you have a skin complaint see a dermatologist.
(I went to a bunch of doctors and all they give you is acne cream or something along that lines. Most of the doctors won't understand until you explain every little detail of you problem that your having so they can get an idea of whats happening.)
I have anxiety.I pick my face and bite my nails until they're sore! My self esteem has gone down the drain as I continue to do this. Thanks for advice. It has showed me I am not the only one.
I'm so relieved, that I'm not alone. I'm 15 and It's a big problem for me, I have scars on my face, shoulders, chest, arms and legs. I'm so ashamed of it, i always wear shirts that cover everything, and i wear a bunch of make up to hide my skin. But I just can't stop. Especially when i have had a hard day, i go to the mirror and press every zit i can find and pick my skin. I have tried to stop it, but i couldn't. The longest i haven't picked my skin is a week, but then something happens, and i start to do it again. For me it's a way to relieve stress, i guess.
I'm so glad I have found some other people that do this... I thought I was the only freak!
I am a leg picker. I generally get eaten alive every Sydney summer and I think this is where it has all started originally. Even as a kid, I was a groomer. My father had terrible knees and so I would help him pick out the ingrown hairs from his arthritic knees from decades of laying carpet for a living.
I think I learned this grooming behaviour from my mother who was a very nurturing and maternal. She loved picking and squeezing my brothers back pimples when they were early teens and just the thought of popping a back zit right now, makes me happy. Haha Blackheads, pimples, ingrown hairs, sebum, scabs...I pick at it all.
Anyway, now I have been picking for years, majority is on my legs, but I do have scars on my thighs, hips, butt, belly, arms and breasts. I have extremely pale skin and poor circulation in my legs don't help the extra slow healing process...if any.
I even started running my fingers through my hair while watching tv or a movie and unknowingly start picking at my scalp.
I do pick at the skin and cuticles around my finger nails and also my feet. I am forever shaving off built up skin (I suffer from psoriasis on my feet) and exfoliating and filing the dead skin with one of those almost sand paper on a paddle looking things. Foot files?
I suffer from Keratosis Pilaris on the back of my arms and also my lower arms. (It's the appearance of rough bumps on the skin. It most often appears on the back and outer sides of the upper arms, though the lower arms can also be affected) I tend to pick at these a lot.
Not surprising I have a genetic predisposition of mental health probs. I suffer Chronic Anxiety and two types of Depression. I know I am a perfectionist/control freak and so having a terrible nervous system & numerous skin conditions, just goes along with the territory.
When I am BAD, I will pick at (all of) the same scores a few times a day. Generally once a day was the norm for a few years. At the moment I am making a conscious effort to NOT pick at all and I am using Bio Oil (http://www.bio-oil.com/en/) which aids in skin repair and scars. I just use it as a sort of moisturiser all over every few days and it's actually helping the sores heal quicker and hopefully the scars will bugger off in 3 months or so too!!
Thanks to everyone else for sharing too. I feel so relieved at this moment.
I am a leg picker. I generally get eaten alive every Sydney summer and I think this is where it has all started originally. Even as a kid, I was a groomer. My father had terrible knees and so I would help him pick out the ingrown hairs from his arthritic knees from decades of laying carpet for a living.
I think I learned this grooming behaviour from my mother who was a very nurturing and maternal. She loved picking and squeezing my brothers back pimples when they were early teens and just the thought of popping a back zit right now, makes me happy. Haha Blackheads, pimples, ingrown hairs, sebum, scabs...I pick at it all.
Anyway, now I have been picking for years, majority is on my legs, but I do have scars on my thighs, hips, butt, belly, arms and breasts. I have extremely pale skin and poor circulation in my legs don't help the extra slow healing process...if any.
I even started running my fingers through my hair while watching tv or a movie and unknowingly start picking at my scalp.
I do pick at the skin and cuticles around my finger nails and also my feet. I am forever shaving off built up skin (I suffer from psoriasis on my feet) and exfoliating and filing the dead skin with one of those almost sand paper on a paddle looking things. Foot files?
I suffer from Keratosis Pilaris on the back of my arms and also my lower arms. (It's the appearance of rough bumps on the skin. It most often appears on the back and outer sides of the upper arms, though the lower arms can also be affected) I tend to pick at these a lot.
Not surprising I have a genetic predisposition of mental health probs. I suffer Chronic Anxiety and two types of Depression. I know I am a perfectionist/control freak and so having a terrible nervous system & numerous skin conditions, just goes along with the territory.
When I am BAD, I will pick at (all of) the same scores a few times a day. Generally once a day was the norm for a few years. At the moment I am making a conscious effort to NOT pick at all and I am using Bio Oil (http://www.bio-oil.com/en/) which aids in skin repair and scars. I just use it as a sort of moisturiser all over every few days and it's actually helping the sores heal quicker and hopefully the scars will bugger off in 3 months or so too!!
Thanks to everyone else for sharing too. I feel so relieved at this moment.
You're awesome!!!!! Thank you for this!
It sounds stupid to say now, but I really did feel like I was alone in this and no dermatologists or anyone have ever helped, but this list is really something. It's especially taboo for me I feel because I'm a guy, and even the thought of someone seeing this is my search history is embarrassing, but seeing your post among this huge group of people who all have the same issue is so empowering.
I have psoriasis as well as mild acne and the two make for a picker's worst nightmare. Constant scaling and peeling in certain areas as well as dryness and uneven skin tones just seem to draw me in, but with your suggestions I hope to change all that!!
I really hope you know how empowered your post made me feel, and I hope you're having success with your own battle!
Thank you again, and keep remembering that you're beautiful!
TFS
It sounds stupid to say now, but I really did feel like I was alone in this and no dermatologists or anyone have ever helped, but this list is really something. It's especially taboo for me I feel because I'm a guy, and even the thought of someone seeing this is my search history is embarrassing, but seeing your post among this huge group of people who all have the same issue is so empowering.
I have psoriasis as well as mild acne and the two make for a picker's worst nightmare. Constant scaling and peeling in certain areas as well as dryness and uneven skin tones just seem to draw me in, but with your suggestions I hope to change all that!!
I really hope you know how empowered your post made me feel, and I hope you're having success with your own battle!
Thank you again, and keep remembering that you're beautiful!
TFS
To the post regarding occupying yourself with other activites and or people to stop picking?!!! I just wanted to say... right on ..this is the first person to make sense of it all and give awesome advice..im 33yrs old female from squamish bc and my bf who is 32yrs old also picks//we started about 1 yr ago due to cutting my foot open on a rusty vent in thr house we were living in. which then caused an infection and you know what happened after that..god damn we pick each others faces and arms and *****..just kidding hhahha about the *****..but seriously its freakin pathetic and we arent junkies nor ugly people..i htink personally we are very attrative and im not getting anhy younger and this obsession is driving me nuts.i have bought everhting under the sun to cure it. i go online and google everyting and think i have all these medical problems and that we are going to die or something. the worst one is MORGELLONS DISEASE. if anyone knows anythnign about that it scares the **** out of me to think it could be that. and even to think that im freakin crazy/ we have good days and bad days and comments from anyone and everyone .saying we are jib heads and ****.im sick of it cause it isnt true and i dont even want my children seeing my face.. i would love anymore advice but again thank you to the person wit the advice on writing down my episodes and what not cause i mean i really never thought of that.. i was too busy picking...lol anyway take care ya'll and good luck
How long have you been on Celexa? If the symptoms are getting worse or never fully went away in the first place, then you need to consult again with a therapist. You may need an increase in medication or a whole different med entirely. Also, I think you could benefit from some behavior modification strategies that a psychologist can teach you.
Try to be cognizant of when your hand goes to your face, neck, arms or hair. When you notice it, stop yourself. Picture in your mind a red handle that you pull backward and then say STOP. Write down on a card positive things about not picking. Take that card out and read it several times a day. It could say things like "my skin will look so much better if I don't pick." "I will not let this affect my ability to work therefore I will not do it." "I will not be afraid to be around people if I stop this." "I won't have to make up lies anymore if I stop."
I am truly sorry that you are suffering with this. As a person with OCD I know what you are going through although I will say that picking has never been a compulsion for me. Checking yes, irrational thoughts, double yes.
Hang in there and get a new consult and go from there. Post again if you need anything else or have any questions.
Try to be cognizant of when your hand goes to your face, neck, arms or hair. When you notice it, stop yourself. Picture in your mind a red handle that you pull backward and then say STOP. Write down on a card positive things about not picking. Take that card out and read it several times a day. It could say things like "my skin will look so much better if I don't pick." "I will not let this affect my ability to work therefore I will not do it." "I will not be afraid to be around people if I stop this." "I won't have to make up lies anymore if I stop."
I am truly sorry that you are suffering with this. As a person with OCD I know what you are going through although I will say that picking has never been a compulsion for me. Checking yes, irrational thoughts, double yes.
Hang in there and get a new consult and go from there. Post again if you need anything else or have any questions.
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