MY skin Picking

[Yahaira]

hello, i have a question... i am a skin picker sonce i was 17 ..it's been 10 years  and now its not only inmy face but my back too... i have tried going to psicologist psicatrist took zoloft... read a book about controling obsessive thoughts... but when i got the urge i got the urge... it';s like thnking i can't be happy! i do not deserve it...and when i see a blemish it must be destroyed!!! why doctopr why??? what can i do???

[niketynak]

wow! i am so thankful for everyone's postings! i thought it was just me! for years, i have the unconscious habit of picking my lips, but especially my cuticles on my hands and feet. sometimes i do it until i'm bleeding. there's just something i can't stand about seeing the dry flaky skin around my cuticles. i've even resorted to using paper clips or scissors to dig it out. i've done so much damage (as i'm scolded everytime i get a mani/pedi) that some of my nails aren't smooth and grow with slight waves in them (think speed bumps across your nails). sometimes i don't pick as much, but do realize now that there is a level of anxiety that i feel when i'm doing it and i feel tension in my body. if only i could stop altogether.

[Kellogg03]

I am also a compulsive skin picker. Face, back, arms,butt, legs...anywhere I FEEL a bump. Most of the time its one you can't even SEE with the naked eye...until I'm done with it. I zone out a lot. Can't stand to be idle (sitting still) that's when the notion to pick really kicks in hard.

I do try to be minimal towards my face...its too public, if you know what I mean. But my arms, butt, upper legs...fair game. Nothing has helped me completely stop, but some things do seem to help.......

#1 Cut your nails down so short that its more work for you to cause the amount of damage w/ nails.
#2 If you can't handle having too short nails, get acrylics. They are much duller, don't seem to cause the same amount of tissue damage.
#3 Conciously think about the times you do it most. Is it when you're anxious, bored, angry, frusterated?
#4 Do you wear makup? Sometimes, when I make a concious effort to look my best, I don't dare pick w/ makeup on.
#5 Keep skin seriously moisturized and gently exfoliate with body gloves and moistuizing body wash every couple of days. When I exfoliate, it gets rid of all those dead skin cells, bothersome bumps, and leaves my skin feeling pretty smooth.
#6 Use good lotions right after shower/bath, when skin is still damp. Then instead of drying off with a towel, use a blowdryer. It leaves your skin SO delicious!!!!
#7 Put healing ointments on your target areas. Antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin, bacitracin, and others not only keep dry areas moist, but start the healing process.
#8 Wear long sleeve shirts-to avoid arm picking, and find other crutches to keep your hands OFF.
#9 Put band-aids over your wounds.
#10 If you still feel compelled, give yourself limits. And make an effort to stop yourself. Increase limits periodically.
#11 Buy a tanning package, but limit exposure. Sometimes feeling good about how your skin appears helps. Not that tanning is healthy, but I feel awesome with a tan.

[owlphabet]

I have the "skin picking" disorder as well--Dermatillomania. I have been trying to stray from my face as I recently turned 30, and am much more self-conscious about my appearance. However, my back and arms look like a warzone. The only advice I can give is to try to keep yourself from being in situations where you normally pick. For instance, I try to involve myself in activities where I am using my hands (making jewelry, drawing, playing videogames). This deters me from picking (most of the time). It's just a compulsion that you have to learn to override. Trust me, I know how hard it is. Good luck to you. <3

[Jizi]

My daughters aunt has picked her face for years on and off she's had this horrible obsession, she would spend hours in the bathroom just picking her face to the point where she had spots all over her face that looked raw and she would have to walk around with bandaids all over her face, it was so sad to see her do this to herself mind you she has a beautiful face, but with scars all over.  She has OCD real bad and lived with me at one point and there was really nothing we could do to help cause she would do it regardless,  She actually hasn't done it in a while and her face is a little better, But I know the time will come again where she will start up again.  Your definitly not alone. I wish I can do something to help her.

[be still my beating heart 13]

I don't really have any advice to offer with regards on how to stop the picking, but just wanted to post and let you know that you are not alone!  I had this problem as a teen, and I can't remember how I overcame the face picking, but I still pick the skin beside my nails to the point of bleeding, I chew on this inside of my cheeks and bite my lips to the point of bleeding as well.  I also have a hair pulling tendency, but not to the point of pulling the hair out, I just tug on my eyelashes repeatedly.  I have made a conscious decision to stop these obcessive behaviors and no longer chew on my cheeks, bite my lips, or pick my skin at the nails.  I just told myself to "STOP" everytime I would begin to pick/bite, and slowly overcame the habit.  I still tug my eyelashes while watching TV, and find myself rubbing the skin near my nails or running my tounge over the inside of my cheeks or licking my lips when I get really anxious.  It is hard to stop, and my advice to you is to tell yourself that everytime you pick, you are making those blemishes worse and last longer, and try just cleansing them thinking to yourself that "I am helping you heal, I will let you heal".  I hope this helps you and that you felt well today!

Cori