I need help with hair puling lookung for a dr in Tucson az

[1budford]

I need help with hair pulling. I have done it all my life. It is now causing me absesses. I need to find a profesional dr. I pull my pubic hair till I get scars and abcesses.  I have insurance. I need to get my pubic hair removed to help stop this. I always avoid exams because of it. I used to pull my eyelases out but for the last several years it has been my pubic hair. I have sores and scars.  Let me know of a dermatoligist or professional who UNDERSTANDS THIS DISORDER.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Trichotillomania is the urge to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows or other areas of the body. This can lead to bald spots, skin lesions and abscesses due to secondary skin infection. You may need to treat the abscesses with antibiotics then you need something to help with the irresistable pulling of hair. Check with your attending physician and be referred to a psychologist near your area for proper management. Medications and therapy may be indicated. A form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for this condition. It teaches you to become more aware of pulling, and helps you learn to reverse this  habit. It also teaches you to learn what emotions and triggers are involved in hair pulling and how to substitute other behaviors instead. I hope this helps. Take care and do keep us posted.

[theo777]

It's called Trichotillomania. I do it on occasion just like my mother does. I don't have scars from it, but did have too shave the areas i was consantly picking at. OCD medication works for this.