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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.)
Wow I mean, reading all these comments make me feel a lot better knowing that I'm not the only one out there with a picking problem. I am 14 years old and I started picking my arms when I was about 6 years old. It used to be so fun to pick my arms because I had nothing else better to do. I still pick my arms, legs, face, and ect. I've always just wanted a clear body almost all my life, so I can be seen in public without people noticing my arms and legs. I have to wear longsleves in the summer and jeans, so I get the feeling people notice somethings wrong with me. Im going into high school soon and I keep on telling myself I'm not going to pick! But some how, I always end up after taking a shower with red bumps on my arms, legs and face. I get depressed because of it, and I envy girls who can wear shortsleves and cute cloths, when Im stuck with winter shirts. My mom isnt really a help with things, she HELPS me pick my body. She's really the one that got me started with all of this. I would be wearing short sleves, if people didnt ask me about the scars and scabs. :/ I've tried so hard now not to pick and just when my arms start to clear up again, I screw them up. I know how I can help myself from picking but it seems to never work. Also, the thought of having scars on my arms after Im though with picking, (and my legs and body) hurts. Doctors dont understand, nor does anyone in my family... they know I only wear longsleves and never shorts or shortsleves, but they dont know what Im hiding. The only people who know about my picking problem is my mom, my sister, and a friend of mine that well, isnt my best friend. I wish I could tell my two best friends and not have to hide after that but I cant, I always have to have some excuse when I go swimming and wear boy cloths or when I wear a jacket on a hot sunny day. It makes me depressed and all Ive ever really wanted for myself was to get better and not have this stupid picking problem. Thank you all for sharing your stories so it could give me the chance to maybe start new... godbless everyone.
After a really ****** week at work, I did what I always do: went into my room, took off my shirt and picked the hell out of my arms, back and chest. Then I went online and started typing "picking bumps" into Google. What a surprise/relief to see all the results come up. I had thought it was just my dad & I who suffered from this. He's the one who got me started on this as a kid, asking me to pop pimples on his back. Then as an elementary schooler, I noticed these weird bumps, and started picking to get rid of them. Then it became a pleasure thing. I remember at one point having this raging deep infection on my upper arm, and just picking at the scab so the pus would come out.
I pick most when I'm tired/ angry/ stressed out. My mom tried to help me, but did not understand at all. She dragged me to this social worker in high school. Long story short, I'm still doing it. In retrospect, I was not ready/ willing to stop.
Today I realized that I am really angry at both my parents: my dad for starting me on this and my mom for saying **** when I was young, like "they're all staring at your arms," and "If you keep this up, no boy is going to want to go out with you." Thanks a lot! I've never shown my breasts to anyone (I'm 23 now). I wonder what they'd say, "Oh ****, did you get mauled or something?" Haven't worn sleeveless in years. I can look at old school photographs, and be like, ah yes, there's that scar, I remember the scab, and the little hole that it left when I had squeezed all the pus out. People say I'm pretty, and I just think, if you only knew what was going on under all this clothing you'd be saying something different.
Maybe I'll go back to a therapist or something. It was good to find this community, and see that others suffer through the same thing. I wonder if there are conventions where I could meet other pickers. It would be amazing to see others who look like me.
I pick most when I'm tired/ angry/ stressed out. My mom tried to help me, but did not understand at all. She dragged me to this social worker in high school. Long story short, I'm still doing it. In retrospect, I was not ready/ willing to stop.
Today I realized that I am really angry at both my parents: my dad for starting me on this and my mom for saying **** when I was young, like "they're all staring at your arms," and "If you keep this up, no boy is going to want to go out with you." Thanks a lot! I've never shown my breasts to anyone (I'm 23 now). I wonder what they'd say, "Oh ****, did you get mauled or something?" Haven't worn sleeveless in years. I can look at old school photographs, and be like, ah yes, there's that scar, I remember the scab, and the little hole that it left when I had squeezed all the pus out. People say I'm pretty, and I just think, if you only knew what was going on under all this clothing you'd be saying something different.
Maybe I'll go back to a therapist or something. It was good to find this community, and see that others suffer through the same thing. I wonder if there are conventions where I could meet other pickers. It would be amazing to see others who look like me.
I also have the same problem of picking/plucking/ anywhere... mostly my scalp, nose, pubic area and arms.
A few years ago I had an ingrown pubic hair that hurt so badly and had my boyfriend pluck it out. He's done it for me for years.
But this time my labia swelled and hardend so badly that I ended up in the hospital for 1 week on Vancomycin IV and then I had to have it incised because the Vanco wasn't really making any difference.
My pcp said to use hot compresses and this should help the inflamed hair eventually come out on its own.
Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.
The common thread I find with all of us is: Depression, Anxiety and Bipolar.
A few years ago I had an ingrown pubic hair that hurt so badly and had my boyfriend pluck it out. He's done it for me for years.
But this time my labia swelled and hardend so badly that I ended up in the hospital for 1 week on Vancomycin IV and then I had to have it incised because the Vanco wasn't really making any difference.
My pcp said to use hot compresses and this should help the inflamed hair eventually come out on its own.
Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.
The common thread I find with all of us is: Depression, Anxiety and Bipolar.
iv been picking my arms and face for years (15) and sometimes i look like i have really bad chicken pox iv picked soo bad. couple of tips, dont expose your skin to hot/warm water after picking (it makes it look worse) lag your skin in cream (if its greasy you wont be able to pick, i use nappy creams with antiseptic formulars to help the skin heal quicker and epierm emollient) i have also found that having fake nails helps because i literaly can not pick then. for your face, use a mild exfoliating face wash twice a day with an antibacterial moisteriser in the morning and a skin healing (anti ageing) cream at night. keep your skin covered in tight clothing that you cannot role up until your skin has healed and try not to look in the mirror. hope this helps? im getting married in 3 weeks so im trying really hard atm as i want to be able to expose my arms and feel good about my self and this all seems to be working X
Hi there. Have you ever sought treatment for this disorder? It has a specific name, dermatillomania, and it really is a habit and as with any habit it can be broken. Also, that anxiety you feel when you don't pick, there are many ways to combat that as well including cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication. It is never too late to seek help. This is nothing to be embarassed about. Many people have this disorder as you now know. My own OCD problems are habits as well, it is just that you can't visually see what I do to myself. Please seek treatment because it really is not too late and you are so worth it.
Take care.
Take care.
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