Scab Picking

brenner · Silver Member Joined: 26 Sep 2001 Posts: 298

Hi, little by little I have become a compulsive scab picker. I can’t stop doing that, even that I know how ugly those scars look like. There are all over my body and face. Is this OCD?

mercedes · Silver Member Joined: 18 Mar 2002 Posts: 267

Hi, I know what are you going through. I keep picking scabs on my body since I was 21. A doctor told me I’m probably suffering from OCD, but he never officially diagnosed me, because this was the only symptom that I had. Fortunately, I don’t pick scabs on my face, I manage to control myself not to do that. I was so embarrassed when I had to take my clothes off in front of my girlfriend. I thought she would run away when she sees the scabs on my arms and legs. Every evening I promise myself that the next day will also be the first day of my recovery, and that I won’t even think about picking. However, I never manage to realize that plan.

Guest · Guest

I have them all over my legs. It is so embarrassing being the only girl at a cocktail party with pants. I want to tell my mom, but I'm afraid she'll be really dissapointed with me. My brother is the only person who knows. I really want to get something to get rid of these scars.

TellSell · Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

I just wanted to Respond to this. Im actually pretty young, 17. And Just realized, all these years I have always picked, scabs. I bite my nails, though not as cronicly. But I always thought its just becauase, well I don't konw what I thought. I just do it. Anytime, on my face. I pick pimples scars anything. And Im starting to worry now that somthing is wrong with me. I was rolling in the grass the other day and got millons of Misquito bites. This is like a field day for me. I itched them to the point of scaring and I cant stop picking at them. ENough that the scars are starting to grow. It dosn't matter the pain. I just pull it untill the scar is off. I dont know if in my mind im thinking its better with out the scar or somthing but. And I don't go and, Hide it really. If I have scars on my ankles from it, I will still wear shorts or somthing. And I after thinking about it, pick scars somwhat publicly. Like if im in class. I will reach down to my ankles and pick a scar, or check to see if a scar has grown over to peel it.
Well Im rambling but I wanted to know if anyone had to, get any sort of medicine, if they know of any facts about this or anything. Please help. Thank you

-Tell Sell.

Kieeeeeran · Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

Just like TellSell, I am also of a young age, only 15. I have been picking scabs on my body for at least two years now. My main trouble spot is my scalp. It's just so incredibly addictive. I usually starts out with getting a sunburnt scalp, and i can't stand it when the skin peels so i pick it out. But sometimes i pick to deep and cause it to bleed. And thus starts the addiction. After several months, can be up to six, sometimes even more, i get rid of the scabs and are left with scars. But in a little while I get sunburnt again and the viscious cycle begins.

I cam generally refrain from picking my face as I realise how ugly the scars would look. But, say when i get an mosquito bite, say on my legs, I pick and pick and pick. and I have many scars already one both of my legs. I'm still confident wearing short shorts, and I suppose that is something but I know i'll never have perfect legs now which can become very degrading.

I've heard about OCD and have read several forums speaking about OCD and scab picking. I don't just pick scabs, that's one of a few habits. I've also biten and eaten fingernails for years, i pick my nose and eat the mucus and I'll eat the scabs that I pick off also. I feel that I may have OCD as I do all of these things but I'm never really sure and am way too embarassed to anyone these things.

What do you think?

Guest · Guest

I'm 17. I've been picking scabs and EATING them, in addition to biting my nails since I was atleast 8 years old. Personally, i don't know what triggers this behavior but from my research its either OCD< or a result from profound depression. I only know several possible traumatic reasons that may have caused this behavior in myself.

Guest · Guest

Guest · Guest

i have a problem with scabs all over my legs,
im 17 and i hate it... i have so many scars, and everytime a new scabs appear i cant help but pick it.. which then leads to more, does anyone know how to help?? get rid of the scars? or to stop me picking??
please

thank you x

aries326 · Newbie Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Pennsylvania

I know what you mean.
I can not stop picking even though i know it look horrible, and i am a light caramel skin tone so my scars turn way darker than me. my boyfriend thinks i should drink more water haha (i though that was funny) but even if i did, if i get the smallest scratch i will pick it til its big enough to have fun with. i have scars all over my face from popping pimples and picking them. everyone thinks im so pretty. i get attention everywhere i go. but once iget home and take off the make up, its not the same lol. they dont see my scars cause i where concealer and foundation and even powder at times, i even use body makeup to cover scars on my body.
i have no idea why i pick pick and pick. im 23 now and have been picking since i can remember. my dad use to think that by him putting alcohol on everything i picked that i would stop, but ii never did. i try to convince myself not to pick the next one, but im sure i will. dont know if i'd step outside if all the makeup in the world was gone forever! lol seriously

this sucks...what is this?!?! Cool

Tiffaney_e · Newbie Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 1

Hey guys, I completely understand where you guys are coming from, I'm a 19 year old girl and every since I was really little I've been picking at my scabs, and it's so crazy cuz I kno it will result in an unsightly scar, I'm mixed with black and fillipino, so I'm caramel complected, which means my scars appear a lot darker than my skin tone, and the majority on my legs, THAT I DONT WANT but I continue to do it anyway, I thought i would have grown out of this by now, but apparently I haven't. I always tell myself "last one" but it never ends. I HATE the way the scars look. I dunno y i do it, I guess I jus like the feeling it gives me, it's not painful I don't feel anything but a tingle. and some kinda way i guess i get a sick pleasure from watching the blood. You'd prob never guess I would do something like this from my personality or overall appearance HOWEVER i do kno you can use MEDERMA to treat scars, the only prob 4 me is, it takes A LONG TIME for it to fade the scars. and personally I can never remember to use it like ur suppose to...2-3 times a day everyday i think, and depending on the scar it could take months to fade away. You can find it at pretty much any store, pharmacy, wal mart, u guys kno Smile

Anywayz, goodluck with everything u guys, hope I've been some sort of help Smile

Scab Picking

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