RE:RE: Compulsive scab picking

[JS]

I saw the questions to compulsive scab picking and had to respond because I've been searching the net and this is the first mention of it I could find.  I'm 34 and have had this problem since early teen years.  I usually pick at my skin and scabs in places that don't show or can be hidden w/ clothing: legs, upper arms, but will also pick at exposed areas as well.  It is embarassing and I want to and have tried to stop for years, but just can't do it.  I will pick at cuts and scrapes and make them worse or if I don't have a cut or scrape I will pick at blemishes and cause a scab to form.  I'm generally able to stay away from picking at my face.  Like R.S., I otherwise function fine in life, I'm married w/ a child, and have a job.  My wife has likewise been non-judgemental. I'd llike to say understanding, but to be honest, I don't understand my compulsion myself.  I do not consider myself as OCD, but can see some aspects of it in this.   My question is: WHAT CAUSES THIS AND HOW CAN I STOP?

[stillpicking]

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[azmom571]

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[itchy_scratchy333]

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[kellyjoe]

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[yayasis]

ok so I've been picking since i started breaking out as a teenager. Its getting out of control lately. Its so bad that i don't even want to go out of the house. I try to cover my scabs up with make up but it doesn't last. I also pick at my scalp i had picked a scab and it still has not healed and its been about two months. I feel ashamed and embarrassed by this. I need to stop but i can't. My mom picks too i think this is where i learned thus nasty habit. I look in the mirror everyday and see that my face us filled with scars and i get depressed. I know i need to stop but i feel like i'm already too far gone. I need some help

[RAJ888]

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[Ruby333]

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[MLBD]

I pick at the sores on my legs til they bleed.  Once hat happens I am good to go.  It is weird can anyone else help me understand why?  It is almost a relief after the scab is picked off and then  bleeds.  HELP PLEASE. Marie

[Beth]

What is a scab?  How do they work?

[jennifer]

I wish that I was writing this explaining a cure for all of you out there, but I am not. I too suffer from this complusion. It was only last night that I admitted to my boyfriend of 6 years about my compulsion. I have been picking for almost 23 years - as long as I can remember. I seem to have radar for finding the smallest of bumps anywhere on my body. I tend to pick in places that can be covered up and have become a master of disguise with makeup. I have always felt ashamed by this habit and still do. Whenever people would see my scars (and I have plenty of them) I would lie and tell them I had a roller blading accident or something else very lame. My boyfriend thought that I had a skin disorder and was always very helpful, but he was a little upset that I had lied to him and not told him for 6 years that I had been secretly picking. We are going to see a doctor next week to try to get some help with my compulsion, but I must admit that I am terrified. My parents tried taking me to all kinds of doctors when I was in grade school. They even gave me medications that were supposed to stop the bumps, but I still picked. I hope that someone will be able to help me. I have wasted too long covering my body. I am so jealous of those people who can take a shower and then just throw on some clothes. I always have to spend a half hour concealing my scars with makeup and beach vacations are always too stressful to be enjoyed. I wish you all luck!

[lydia]

I am amazed & a little relieved to see so many people suffering from the same condition.  I can go way back in my childhood & see where the "picking" started & how it brought me comfort. I usually contentrate on my scalp (I also have psoriasis, does any one else?) This is how the scabs originate & then I just can't leave them alone.  Now, to even get more honest (and unfortunately grosser) I also pick my nose & eat the scabs & boogers.  This is so disgusting, I know it must seem like a gag memo, but it's not.  I have never admitted this out loud (or typed) before in my life.  I am a 42 year old woman: married, mother of teen-age daughter, successful, seemingly well-adjusted & moderately over-weight (about 30 pounds) but still very attractive---what gives???

I have never gone to therapy & I could never admit this to any one any way.  I am considering joining Overeaters Anonymous because I am also a compulsive overeater & I think this disgusting habit somehow ties in.  Is it an eating disorder of some sort?  An obsessive-compulsive disorder?  What do you think?

[rm]

Just stumbled on this site while searching for resources and/or a name for this habit/compulsion. I pick soley at the scabs in my scalp...I have a dry scalp anyway, so when an irritation or dry place forms, I "go to town" picking at it, allowing it to form a scab, and then revisiting it to pick at again.

I too have been doing this since my teens. Does this cause cancer? I've always wondered...cause if there is a link between the habit and cancer, I think I would hopefully stop.

[ni]

Wow, I don't know if it is a relief to see how many other people suffer from this, or a supreme disappointment that noone seems to have been assisted into a cure of any sort.  I am a 29 year old attractive female who takes a lot of pride in her appearance, but have a back, arms and thighs covered in scabs which I pick daily, and therefore never have a chance of healing.  I am incredibly embarrassed and revolted by it.  I also wash my hands at least 50 times a day, and have had to change soaps as my skin was raw.  Do I have OCD?  Are these linked?  I take 40mg Prozac per day for past depression.  If these were an OCD issue, wouldn't that have helped?  Can anyone out there help me?

[shab]

I am a 17 year-old female and have been picking at my scalp for maybe two years now.  I thought I was the only person.  It is such a disgusting habit and I hate it, but I keep on doing it.  Its ironic how much I care about my hair, clothes and make-up but continue to keep picking and picking.  I have devloped scabs and I go back to them all the time.  My parents are always telling me to stop but I keep doing it- even to a point where I bleed.  I consider myself a regular teen but this picking thing is something I'd like to stop before it stays with me a lifetime.
Any suggestions?
e-mail: ***@****

[TDG]

I too have this nasty habit.  I never realized that it until I read everyone else's story.  I have been diagnosed with Manic Depression.  I have been taking medication for over ten years.  I have taken almost every medication in the "book".  I now am taking  Depakote, Welburtin and Synthroid.  They seem to work for me.  The bad part of all of this is my twelve year old son has just been diagnosed as a Manic Depressive/ADHD.  He also has this habit.  He takes Cloinidine for it.  He takes more medications, Adderal, Depakote, Zoloft, Periactin, and Hydroxyzine.  All of which seem to be helping him.  I am wondering if this could also be a thyroid problem.  My child's doctor seems to "shut down" now when I discuss the thyroid thing with her.  I have Hypothyroid as do my sisters and father.  But I did not start taking Synthroid until after my son was born.  Both of my sister's children have no problems such as scab picking, manic depression, or ADHD.  one of the things that has helped my sons sores heal is called "Bag Balm" it comes in a green tin, you can get it a Walmart and yes it is for Cows.  But it really works at healing quickly.

[kmb]

Wow, I find it hard to believe there are other sufferers to scab picking out there! I pick 'only' at my scalp, causing it to bleed, but for some sick reason that gives me pleasure and have been doing it for years now. Every once in a while I may pick at the back of my head, near the hairline. I will also go through phases where I get enjoyment from picking when I have company, I know what I am doing is gross and twisted but I'm drawn to it. I understand it is a disgusting habit and have NO IDEA how to stop. I am 21, a few people in my life know that I suffer from scab picking and have not judged me on it. I have not sought professional help nor taken medication for this condition. So far scab picking has not interfered with my life other than me possibly being sprung picking away or it gets that worse they are noticeable on my head.

[Sandy]

Can I join this club?  I have been picking at myself for over 40 years now -- using all the same adjectives to describe my behavior.  I have been taking Prozac(20mg)for approximately 7 years. I was able to control/stop the picking at myself for years, however the habit has returned.  I did not start taking Prozac for this reason, I have suffered with depression on and off since childhood. After reading some of the postings, I am wondering if perhaps I need to change medications, or have the dosage increased.  So I will call for an appointment, run off a copies of all statements written in this forum.  Present them to my doctor, and for the first time in my life will admit to my doctor that I have this compulsive behavior -- and -- am in need of help.  It is the strangest feeling, to know that you are hurting yourself and at the same time receiving comfort.  I am not the only person in my family to do this to them self -- My sister will tell me to "pick one scab and leave the others alone -- make it your friend". I guess I like having friends.  Making light of the situation isn't helping with trying to break the habit.  What really is upsetting about this habit is that I have become a liar. When people ask about the marks on my skin, I have a set story (always feeling shame and disgusted with my behavior).