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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 been picking since i was about 4 years old.im 17 now.I will get bit by a misquito and pick it and it will take forever to heal.whenever i look at them i feel like i need to pick them..Im really hating myself for it and im very insecure...my legs are covered with many many scars and it drives me into deep depression.i feel abnormal.i dont pick nearly as much as i used to but i still always have the urge.I want to wear shorts so bad does anyone know how to get rid of the scars caused by picking thats not expensive?please help...
You all have posted to a very old threat. If you want more up to date suggestions, I would post again under a new thread.
I have been picking at blackheads on my face since I was 16, but I think the problem goes back way farther than this. I picked at my scalp for a while (before I migrated to my face), my legs for a while (trying to stop picking at my face), and I remember picking my nose as a child, so I think I'm just an obsessive compulsive picker. In response to Beans 101, who theorized that we might all be compulsive smokers or sexually frustrated, I've never smoked and I'm blessed with a great husband and very healthy sex life.
Unfortunately, at the age of 31, I still can't stop picking at my acne on my face, which I create from picking. I would love to be able to walk out without makeup, but I can't due to the redness and the scars.. :(
I've tried so many times to stop on pure willpower, but I can't. I relapse every time. I've noticed my triggers are mirrors, anxiety and loneliness. When I'm stressed out, I find myself zoning out and picking. When I'm alone, I pick more often, because no one is there for me to be embarrassed to see me.
I'm an attractive woman, and before my looks start to fade and the wrinkles become deeper, I'd love to have an attractive face to go with the body...
I've never been on anti-anxiety medicine or anti-depression medicine, and I've never done therapy, maybe I should but from what I read here, it might not help...
I wish I had the solution. But if I find it - I'll share!
Unfortunately, at the age of 31, I still can't stop picking at my acne on my face, which I create from picking. I would love to be able to walk out without makeup, but I can't due to the redness and the scars.. :(
I've tried so many times to stop on pure willpower, but I can't. I relapse every time. I've noticed my triggers are mirrors, anxiety and loneliness. When I'm stressed out, I find myself zoning out and picking. When I'm alone, I pick more often, because no one is there for me to be embarrassed to see me.
I'm an attractive woman, and before my looks start to fade and the wrinkles become deeper, I'd love to have an attractive face to go with the body...
I've never been on anti-anxiety medicine or anti-depression medicine, and I've never done therapy, maybe I should but from what I read here, it might not help...
I wish I had the solution. But if I find it - I'll share!
I have been picking at my skin since I was 8 yrs old. My acne started then and was told to pop every pimple because it contain posion. From then on and I am now 41- that's what I have done, pick pick pick. I have huge sores on my legs from bug bites- went to a dermatoligist and had a biopsy done on one of them and its now cancerous. I can't believe it! I have to drain all sores because they are filled with toxins...and the thought of not picking one send me into a panic attack. I can't stop...can't find someone around me that can help...I watched all the obsession shows and I feel their pain. Just wish someone would listen to me. My husband says to me all the time...:just stop your hurting your self..." He doesn't understand at all....and the more stress I endure the more sores I have. I have stop picking at my face as much- I now pick at my chest, neck and legs. I don't wear shorts that much because of the scars. I scratch constantly.....and feels as though a million bugs are crawling on me. I need help....I know....but can any therapist help? I am glad I am not alone. Everytime I pick..which is usually all day...but when I pick at a deep one....the shear pain is how I cope. If anyone has any suggestions...please please please help
The 2 most effective ways to deal I find are
1. Remove mirrors
2. Change the lighting
I knew mirrors were my trigger, because when I'm out camping, or in a place without mirrors, I don't pick my face for days or weeks, but near a mirror, I'm right back at it. The lighting I recently discovered when I moved to a new place with a mirror glued to the wall. I discovered by accident that when I used the soft overhead light, and didn't turn on the bright lights right over the mirror, I don't have the urge ever. Whenever I turn on the bright over-mirror lights, which is a couple times a week for tweezing or any sort of care that requires good light. No matter what I tell myself before turning on the bright light, I always end up picking my face after tweezing or whatever I set out to do. About 95% of the time I turn on the dim overhead light, and overall, I pick way less, and the mirror doesn't trigger picking. I can look in the mirror to comb my hair, brush my teeth, whatever, and won't pick unless the bright over-mirror light is on.
1. Remove mirrors
2. Change the lighting
I knew mirrors were my trigger, because when I'm out camping, or in a place without mirrors, I don't pick my face for days or weeks, but near a mirror, I'm right back at it. The lighting I recently discovered when I moved to a new place with a mirror glued to the wall. I discovered by accident that when I used the soft overhead light, and didn't turn on the bright lights right over the mirror, I don't have the urge ever. Whenever I turn on the bright over-mirror lights, which is a couple times a week for tweezing or any sort of care that requires good light. No matter what I tell myself before turning on the bright light, I always end up picking my face after tweezing or whatever I set out to do. About 95% of the time I turn on the dim overhead light, and overall, I pick way less, and the mirror doesn't trigger picking. I can look in the mirror to comb my hair, brush my teeth, whatever, and won't pick unless the bright over-mirror light is on.
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