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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.)
God I do this too. My face chest legs and back are disgusting from scars and open wounds. I find I do it most often when I am on painkillers. Specifically OxyContin and Obama. It's like I get in this mindset where every imperfection has to go. So I'll spend hrs in front of a mirror tearing my skin off. I bleed a lot and it leaves horrible open wounds. I have to wear concealer just to cover it up. I feel really stupid wearing makeup as a guy. I can't take my shirt off in public and forget sexual intimacy. I think the reason I do it so much when I'm on the painkillers is I don't have the pain response from my body to tell me to stop. It's good to know there are other people out there with this problem.
I love the sun, but it hurts me. I pick my arms in sunlight. I have been known to pick my face but my arms have received the worst of my csp. I also have to search for light and airy long sleeved blouses for the summer. It's so frikin painful, inside and out. I can't seem to stop. I am 51 yrs old. I just recently found others like me, and I am grateful to find I am not alone. I was surprised to find how little awareness there is around this problem. It baffles me on a daily basis. Thank you all for shaing and letting me share too.
I am soo happy i found this! i honestly thought i was alone with this "habit" i started pulling out my eyelashes when i was about 7. my eyelids were completely bare at some points and i was so embaressed. i finally stopped that habit when i entered middle school but once i stopped that habit it was less than a year before i found the next habit of squeezing bumps on my upper arms. ive been doing this for years now.(im currently 15) and i always have to hide the scars that cover my arm. i use only my finger nails and have tried countless times to stop. ive tried keeping my nails cut really short or using long, fake nails to make it more difficult for myself. ive tried putting lotion all over my arms to make them to slipperly to pick when im alone, but none of things have worked i always find my self back picking. i hate that im too embareesed to wear short sleeve shirts. i leave the rest of my skin alone, i have no acne and i would say i have really good skin untill you look at my arms from my elbows up to my shoulders. i really wish i could stop and seeing this and that this is a real thing gives me hope but i still cant stop! helpp!
Everything you've said, I have experienced as well. I understand your fixation with tweezers, leg and butt picking, etc. I have managed to subdue my impulses, except for on a few occasions.
Since our fixations seem to be very similar, my methods of quitting may help you.
1. Cover/ get rid of mirrors. This alone won't cure you or solve your problems; it will only serve as a constant reminder and possible help drive your incentive.
2. Stop carrying tweezers with you. Its a hard step to take but is crucial in transitioning back into a life without picking.
3. Do something to prevent yourself from spending unnecessary time in the bathroom (including shower time and any other time you could use to pick). You could: not bring tweezers and a mirror into the shower + set an alarm telling you when to get out. Bring your boyfriend with you, or talk really loudly (yell) to yourself as a constant reminder when alone.
4. Start decreasing the surface area where you allow yourself to pick. For instance, gradually put aside picking your face and anywhere else that is visible. Hopefully this will help to increase you confidence and provide yourself with continuous encouragement. What you're aiming for is to break the cycle. In order to not relapse, you're going to have to REALLY want to stop. A word of advise: even though it isn't visible, I suggest you try to stop picking/plucking your butt. Out of all my scars, the ones on my butt have healed the worst. Not only that, I think scars on your breasts, butt and face will be viewed as the most unattractive. You will likely regret then the most.
5. When you are alone, wear thick, white moisturizing cream on your blemishes. This may not be your style, but it helped me to stop scratching at my cuts. When I left them alone and moisturized, they could then heel better. Keep in mind, using cream to cover your skin could become your new obsession (to reduce this possibility, switch creams every so often). This brings up a good point; an easier way to quite is to develop a new fixation. Albeit, you would only be substituting one addiction for another.
6. Pay heed to the advise of others on the chat. I have tried many of the methods that are suggested. From experience, i have learned no method is superior to another, it is a matter of what you will benefit from and can find relief in.
7. Mind you, this struggle, healing process and mental reprogramming took place over the course of 1.5 years. You won't be cured overnight. However, with this in mind, don't cut yourself any slack. Be diligent, committed and motivated.
-- I am 14. I have struggled with CSP since the age of 9. The progress I have made was made alone, so I can contest to it being possible to provide the support for yourself in order to quite. It is important to primarily account for the psychological struggle, invoked by CSP. If you truly want to stop, do not stop hating it. If you give in to excepting it, you will have nothing more to hold on to.
*Best of luck and wishes.
Since our fixations seem to be very similar, my methods of quitting may help you.
1. Cover/ get rid of mirrors. This alone won't cure you or solve your problems; it will only serve as a constant reminder and possible help drive your incentive.
2. Stop carrying tweezers with you. Its a hard step to take but is crucial in transitioning back into a life without picking.
3. Do something to prevent yourself from spending unnecessary time in the bathroom (including shower time and any other time you could use to pick). You could: not bring tweezers and a mirror into the shower + set an alarm telling you when to get out. Bring your boyfriend with you, or talk really loudly (yell) to yourself as a constant reminder when alone.
4. Start decreasing the surface area where you allow yourself to pick. For instance, gradually put aside picking your face and anywhere else that is visible. Hopefully this will help to increase you confidence and provide yourself with continuous encouragement. What you're aiming for is to break the cycle. In order to not relapse, you're going to have to REALLY want to stop. A word of advise: even though it isn't visible, I suggest you try to stop picking/plucking your butt. Out of all my scars, the ones on my butt have healed the worst. Not only that, I think scars on your breasts, butt and face will be viewed as the most unattractive. You will likely regret then the most.
5. When you are alone, wear thick, white moisturizing cream on your blemishes. This may not be your style, but it helped me to stop scratching at my cuts. When I left them alone and moisturized, they could then heel better. Keep in mind, using cream to cover your skin could become your new obsession (to reduce this possibility, switch creams every so often). This brings up a good point; an easier way to quite is to develop a new fixation. Albeit, you would only be substituting one addiction for another.
6. Pay heed to the advise of others on the chat. I have tried many of the methods that are suggested. From experience, i have learned no method is superior to another, it is a matter of what you will benefit from and can find relief in.
7. Mind you, this struggle, healing process and mental reprogramming took place over the course of 1.5 years. You won't be cured overnight. However, with this in mind, don't cut yourself any slack. Be diligent, committed and motivated.
-- I am 14. I have struggled with CSP since the age of 9. The progress I have made was made alone, so I can contest to it being possible to provide the support for yourself in order to quite. It is important to primarily account for the psychological struggle, invoked by CSP. If you truly want to stop, do not stop hating it. If you give in to excepting it, you will have nothing more to hold on to.
*Best of luck and wishes.
Hi Ed. What she really needs is to see a child psychologist if that is possible and one that deals with OCD if you can find one. I think it is more common nowadays. You are right....getting it early is the best way. You could probably sit in on some sessions so that you both can learn how to help her stop so you can be her reinforcement so to speak. Her fall-back on person when she needs to talk about it. What you don't want to do is tell her "just stop doing it" because it is so hard without the proper tools in place such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavior modification techniques. She most likely has some anxiety that needs to be deaelt with as well. Good luck.
Hello...I am a Dad with a 8 year-old daughter that is addicted to picking. She is a beautiful little girl and I am beginning to see the impact it is having on her physically and mentally. I believe we will try the rubber band idea to see if it helps. We have seen dermatologist and they seem to help the healing process...only to be needed again the next time something pops up and is picked. There has to be more to this problem...? I know I need to do something and do it now...before long-term damage is done...
Someone please give me some ideas...kids should not have to deal with things like this....
Dad...
Someone please give me some ideas...kids should not have to deal with things like this....
Dad...
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