I DO THE SAME THING. I have cuts all over me and i say, ok im only going to pick half or, just forget about it. And that never works. I just had sun poisening on MY ARMS and i picked all of the cuts. NOW MY ARM IS COVERED.
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I'm writing because, I too am a picker. It's driving me crazy!!My scalp is full of cuts. And every day I'm back too searching to see if I can hopefully pick at a scab that may have healed just enough to pull off! It's embarrassing.I've brought it up with my head Dr. and he said "It sounds like you have O.C.D. and put me on a anti-depressant that doesn't work for my obsessive picking! Please I need some help.
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Im 19 also and I've been picking scabs ever since I can remember. I get spots of all types on my face and without thinking I rip into them. When I really think about it I guess I'm just trying to get rid of them even though I know I will make a wound and then when it scabs I take the scab off as though there is just skin underneath, but there's not. I suffer from depression and a lot of these mental disorders are linked so I could be OCD in just that regard. Maybe it's because I want to take away the problems and imperfections I have mentally and emotionally and I am subconsciously doing it physically. Does this make sence to anybody?
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I have picked my scabs ever since I can remeber. My mom used to tease me and call me "self mutilator" when she caught me doing it, but it just made me upset. She probably called me names to try to get me to stop, but it made me feel like a freak and I picked more. I'm in my ealry 20s now, and I have managed to leave my face, arms, and legs alone for the most part, because I don't have the usual wear-and-tear I did when I was young. My scalp is a different story, though... I itch my scalp raw and then I keep the scabs going for months picking them several times a day, and I sometimes find myself picking at craters of freshly-picked scabs. Lately I have been getting worried, though, because the glands in my head have been getting swollen and sore. I have also gotten a bad infection in a spot on my leg that remained infected even after the wound scarred over... The skin remained irritated and broken out for several months after the scar fromed, but it finally went away.
Even though I am worried about getting a serious infection one day, I can't help myself. In fact, I love birds, and I realized that some birds mutilate themselves by plucking out their feathers. Some cases get so bad that they will leave their entire body bald and bloody. Also, some dogs show compulsive behaviors by licking their paws for hours and hours until they become bald and bloody. As weird as it sounds, it makes me feel a little better knowing other creatures in nature display some of the same behaviors, and maybe i'm a little less of a freak.
Even though I am worried about getting a serious infection one day, I can't help myself. In fact, I love birds, and I realized that some birds mutilate themselves by plucking out their feathers. Some cases get so bad that they will leave their entire body bald and bloody. Also, some dogs show compulsive behaviors by licking their paws for hours and hours until they become bald and bloody. As weird as it sounds, it makes me feel a little better knowing other creatures in nature display some of the same behaviors, and maybe i'm a little less of a freak.
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Hey Everyone,
I know what you all are going through. I just realized my disorder as well. The proper name is Dermatillomania. It's a form of OCD where you can't help but pick at scabs and skin imperfections mostly on extremities or the face. It's most common in women and may have something to do with body dysmorphic disorder. Mostly caused by OCD though.
I've been chipping away at (what were originally) mosquito bites for months. I have a massive series of sores on my right ankle and left shin. It looks terrible and I try to stop but I just can't. Not to mention the skin surrounding seems to be so itchy. But, I really think it's all psychosomatic. I did research a couple days ago and ways to go about preventing scratching are by occupying yourself or channeling anxiety through hobbies or other activites. Alot of picking is not only OCD but from lack of mental stimulation or boredom.
I'm conditioning myself to stop by bandaging up the sores with gauze and keeping them covered so I can't easily reach down and access them subconciously. So far i've only picked once today and I refrained from doing so to a damaging extent. So I think it's helping. I'm also trying to be more concious of the cravings to pick. When I feel the itch to do it I get up and walk around or throw myself into some sort of activity.
I dunno if this has been helpful for you all but it's been some what working for me. I hope everyone finds their own self-treatment and gets better soon. =] Good luck!
I know what you all are going through. I just realized my disorder as well. The proper name is Dermatillomania. It's a form of OCD where you can't help but pick at scabs and skin imperfections mostly on extremities or the face. It's most common in women and may have something to do with body dysmorphic disorder. Mostly caused by OCD though.
I've been chipping away at (what were originally) mosquito bites for months. I have a massive series of sores on my right ankle and left shin. It looks terrible and I try to stop but I just can't. Not to mention the skin surrounding seems to be so itchy. But, I really think it's all psychosomatic. I did research a couple days ago and ways to go about preventing scratching are by occupying yourself or channeling anxiety through hobbies or other activites. Alot of picking is not only OCD but from lack of mental stimulation or boredom.
I'm conditioning myself to stop by bandaging up the sores with gauze and keeping them covered so I can't easily reach down and access them subconciously. So far i've only picked once today and I refrained from doing so to a damaging extent. So I think it's helping. I'm also trying to be more concious of the cravings to pick. When I feel the itch to do it I get up and walk around or throw myself into some sort of activity.
I dunno if this has been helpful for you all but it's been some what working for me. I hope everyone finds their own self-treatment and gets better soon. =] Good luck!
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everyone i know how u all feel and what u are going throu i have been doing scab picking and eating since i was little around the age of 4 my mother has tried to get me to see a professional but i have not done so . i actually saw an episode on this on tyra banks show and it made me feel so relveved i was not the only one who does this .
i not only pick my scabs any thing on my body dont matter i can not stand to have them showing like bleeding is any better . my legs used to be coverd in scars but as i grew they faded away thank goodness. i am a scab eater as well i dont know what causes me to do so i find myself as bad as if im around people i will pick a scab and save the scab under my nail for later thats when i realized i have a major problem ... im glad to see that there is a place i can come to to share my faults without being judged since yall do it also ,,,
i not only pick my scabs any thing on my body dont matter i can not stand to have them showing like bleeding is any better . my legs used to be coverd in scars but as i grew they faded away thank goodness. i am a scab eater as well i dont know what causes me to do so i find myself as bad as if im around people i will pick a scab and save the scab under my nail for later thats when i realized i have a major problem ... im glad to see that there is a place i can come to to share my faults without being judged since yall do it also ,,,
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I've always picked at my skin. However, over the last few weeks though it has truly reached obsession levels. I'm currently studying for the bar exam while working full time. As a result, I'm very stressed. I think my picking has escalated in response to that stress. My primary target is my scalp. I pick until it bleeds and then pick the scabs. It feels like I now have these giant lumps on my head. I've worn a baseball cap for the last two days in an attempt to remind me not to do it. I made it through yesterday pretty well, no actual picking but some rubbing and scratching. Today I gave in a few times.
What concerns me is that I believe it is affecting my lymph nodes and ears. Over the last week I've had at least 3 different lymph nodes swell and become sore to the touch. I want to keep this from becoming a long term obssession. I've found some other resources on the web that you guys may find helpful.
www.skinpick.com
www.trich.org/about/skin-picking.html
What concerns me is that I believe it is affecting my lymph nodes and ears. Over the last week I've had at least 3 different lymph nodes swell and become sore to the touch. I want to keep this from becoming a long term obssession. I've found some other resources on the web that you guys may find helpful.
www.skinpick.com
www.trich.org/about/skin-picking.html
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OMG ahhh I have the same exact problem!!!! My family thinks im nuts from picking my scabs all the time. like obv i dont want scars on me but like if i see one or feel one on my body i have to pick it. My mom has come in my room at night and she says that I pick my scabs in my sleep. I have been doing this ever since I had the chicken pox in 1st grade and 6 years old...im 19 and going to be a sophomore in college now! like why cant i stop picking...just like mostly all of you I always say last one im going to stop but that never happens. it drives me crazy with all these scars all over my body. It started out just being one of my arms and i remeber when i went to the beach some random lady came up to me all concerned asking what happend to my arm and if a bunch of mosquitos attacked my arm...it was really embarrasing and that was probably like 8 years ago...now i have them all over one of my legs all over my back like i can hardly reach my back but i still manage to somehow pick them...WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? honestly now its summer and Im way to embarrased to wear just my bathingsuit around others cause my back looks so gross with all the scars...I bought mederma but you feel all greesy and it takes forever for them to go away ahhhh i need something that works fast...and even though i know how ugly scars are i still manage to pick my face and pop zits and then pick there scab this is really annoying why am i the only one in my family like this????
ps. my mom read somewhere that if you parents have bad habits you end up having bad habbits too. Like in my family my dad bites his fingernails and my mom twirls her hair constantly( i wish i had that habbit, its not even bad!) and so since they have those habbits my older sister twirls her hair...im in the middle and i pick my scabs constantly, and my younger sister bites her nails...but where did the scab picking come from? this is seriously insane! HELP ME PLEASE!
ps. my mom read somewhere that if you parents have bad habits you end up having bad habbits too. Like in my family my dad bites his fingernails and my mom twirls her hair constantly( i wish i had that habbit, its not even bad!) and so since they have those habbits my older sister twirls her hair...im in the middle and i pick my scabs constantly, and my younger sister bites her nails...but where did the scab picking come from? this is seriously insane! HELP ME PLEASE!
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I feel I'm at the end of my rope. I don't know what to do. Ive had this mosquito bite on my right leg since i think Sept 2007 or so. I just keep picking at it, over and over till it bleeds. It's gotten pretty big. Ive been trying cortisone cream on it, antibiotic ointment, try leaving it covered up, try leaving it open to air. I think the best my legs have ever been was when I used to smoke. (Idle hands, etc). Im guessing it is something like OCD, just haven't talked to a doctor about it. Anyone know any home remedies or natural remedies? Thanks.
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This is one of the most agonizing things I deal with on a daily basis. Unlike most of you, I'm older. I'm 40 years old and I've done this for years and years. The places I tend to pick most are on my stomach and thighs and my lower back and buttocks. I just can't stop. I feel a bump, I have to pick. I don't even like going to the doctor's office where I have to remove clothing because I know I will be ashamed. My doctor says not to worry about it, but how do you not? Something so disgusting is taking over my life. I have huge scars and probably hundreds of scabs. It's awful. I want help desperately. I'm a nail biter too and have tried growing out my nails but when I do I pick at scabs more than ever and they get much, much worse. Having fingernails makes picking so much easier. I grew them out for two months and have since bitten them off because my scabs are getting worse. I'm not sure what to do, but I must do something. I can't live like this anymore. If it's OCD then I need treatment of some sort. If anyone has any ideas or opinions I would greatly appreciate whatever you can give. Thanks.
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u are not alone. i am also 40 and have a problemwith scab picking .. for me it started about 4 years ago. shorly after i was married. i had started to gain weight and well i thought maybe the scab picking stated as a way to take my focus off my weight gain. but after reading about somany other people who have this same problem im thinking it may be ocd. i have never spoken to a doctor about it yet. but like you i am embarrassed to go to the doctors for this reason. it started on my bottom only first. then i could hide it. now i have scaba on my thighs a little my right arm, but those are almot gone and my back... everyday i say i am not going to pick them but it just happens. i am thinking about going to a psychologist about this . my husband has stuck around but does not understand it. has anyone u know or u sought psychiatric treatment? i beleive this will be my only hope. i am on zoloft for depression nd have noticed many of the adults who have this habit are also on some form of anti depression. i wonder if this attributes to this problem . any new info u have found please let me know. or if u just need to chat with someone who might understand...
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I'm 33, so I'm not really a part of the same generation as the others I'm seeing on this page. But this issue seems to have no age cut off. I had been a picker as a kid and liked having the scars to prove I was as tough as the boys. I thought the scars were like a badge of honor; I wasn't some sissy little girl who couldn't take pain. LOL what dumb thinking! Here I am as a woman wanting to wear skirts, dresses and shorts (not to mention short sleeved shirts) and I'm stuck with the body of a scared up tomboy!
The problem is, I'm picking now. I started picking seriously 3 years ago after giving birth to my first child. I really don't want my kids to be exposed to this, I'm sick of looking like a chewing post for fleas, and I'm humiliated every time someone gets up the nerve to ask about my scars. This is the first time I've tried to talk about it and I suppose it makes me feel a little better, but I'd prefer to just stop doing it. %-) *sigh*
I try not to pick in front of others, but all my close friends know what's going on so....
I have been a lover of pimple popping since I can remember. And along with that came wanting to have a sore rather than a white head on my face. Then came wanting my sores to feel smooth...so I picked the scabs and nurtured them to heal the way I wanted. It wasn't until a year ago that my face began scaring. Luckily though I have very few scars on my face and they are easily covered. I'm thankful they're light. I'm gaining more control around picking at my face, but it's a huge challenge! And I'm not as successful as I'd like to believe.
What I'm finding is that I'm always covered in sores, wtf! I literally create scabs to be picked. It's mostly on my legs and bum now, but I also have a thumb I pick at constantly without thought.
I try bandages, but I'm allergic to adhesive so the sore I'm avoiding will heal but it's replaced with a wound on either side where the band aide was! I often feel like my quest to stop is in vein, and I will be plagued with this desire to pick forever, but I do have a glimmer of hope in the depth of my being telling me I will eventually get through this. However, I'm beginning to think all that means is that I will meet self acceptance someday.......
The problem is, I'm picking now. I started picking seriously 3 years ago after giving birth to my first child. I really don't want my kids to be exposed to this, I'm sick of looking like a chewing post for fleas, and I'm humiliated every time someone gets up the nerve to ask about my scars. This is the first time I've tried to talk about it and I suppose it makes me feel a little better, but I'd prefer to just stop doing it. %-) *sigh*
I try not to pick in front of others, but all my close friends know what's going on so....
I have been a lover of pimple popping since I can remember. And along with that came wanting to have a sore rather than a white head on my face. Then came wanting my sores to feel smooth...so I picked the scabs and nurtured them to heal the way I wanted. It wasn't until a year ago that my face began scaring. Luckily though I have very few scars on my face and they are easily covered. I'm thankful they're light. I'm gaining more control around picking at my face, but it's a huge challenge! And I'm not as successful as I'd like to believe.
What I'm finding is that I'm always covered in sores, wtf! I literally create scabs to be picked. It's mostly on my legs and bum now, but I also have a thumb I pick at constantly without thought.
I try bandages, but I'm allergic to adhesive so the sore I'm avoiding will heal but it's replaced with a wound on either side where the band aide was! I often feel like my quest to stop is in vein, and I will be plagued with this desire to pick forever, but I do have a glimmer of hope in the depth of my being telling me I will eventually get through this. However, I'm beginning to think all that means is that I will meet self acceptance someday.......
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i understand how all of you feel. Im African American and 13 years old. and i always pick at my scabss and i cant help it. Now i have black spots all over my arms and legs.m trying to stop now, but every once in a while i just keep picking. But i've never EATEN a scab i've picked. I'm ashamed to wear shorts, skirts, or pretty dresses. If i do wear things that show my legs, i wear makeup on my legs to cover up the black spots. If you wana get rid of them then just use african shea butter twice a day! and every nite rubs lemon and cucumber juice where the spots are and then get in the shower, and if you should stay away fom body wash and scented lotions.Within a month, youll see the difference. -Kylah :'(
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Wow I thought I was the only one...
I'm 17 and have been diagnosed with depression a few years ago along with anxiety. Do you find you pick when you are bored or thinking? I also chew the skin around my nails and my finger tips (around the cuticles down to the first knuckle) are all scarred. I used to bite my nails but managed to stop thank goodness. But one day I found a black head on my lower leg and when I squeezed it an ingrown hair came out - and from then on I can't help but squeeze any pore that looks slightly dark. After I have done this it gets red and bumpy and I pick until the scab starts scarring. Now I'm too embarrassed to wear shorts and dresses =( I try to stop everyday. I try to take hot baths and I have been using Vaseline's Cocoa Butter which seemed to help. I'm sure this would all be very effective but I pick again and any progress made is reversed =(
It began as only my lower legs but moved to my bikini line after an ingrown hair appeared after waxing... Now I have scabs and scars all over my full legs.
When I was 9 I used to pick deep scabs in my scalp and arms but I managed to stop this along with nail biting - but these other habits just won't die!
I hope you all manage to find some sort of relief in knowing you are not alone because it made me feel less crazy that's for sure =)
I'm 17 and have been diagnosed with depression a few years ago along with anxiety. Do you find you pick when you are bored or thinking? I also chew the skin around my nails and my finger tips (around the cuticles down to the first knuckle) are all scarred. I used to bite my nails but managed to stop thank goodness. But one day I found a black head on my lower leg and when I squeezed it an ingrown hair came out - and from then on I can't help but squeeze any pore that looks slightly dark. After I have done this it gets red and bumpy and I pick until the scab starts scarring. Now I'm too embarrassed to wear shorts and dresses =( I try to stop everyday. I try to take hot baths and I have been using Vaseline's Cocoa Butter which seemed to help. I'm sure this would all be very effective but I pick again and any progress made is reversed =(
It began as only my lower legs but moved to my bikini line after an ingrown hair appeared after waxing... Now I have scabs and scars all over my full legs.
When I was 9 I used to pick deep scabs in my scalp and arms but I managed to stop this along with nail biting - but these other habits just won't die!
I hope you all manage to find some sort of relief in knowing you are not alone because it made me feel less crazy that's for sure =)
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I honestly thought that I was the only person that did this! I thought I was abnormal. I dont know why but i just cannot stop picking my scabs..like what most of you have been saying...I have scars on my legs and my arms and hands because of this. I just cant seem to stop!. When I cut myself by accident or on something I just cant wait for it to turn into a scab. I dont know why but I also like other people to pick my scabs too. I know that sounds weird but I do. I have picked scabs ever since I was young and I have never stopped. I am obsessed with picking them. If my boyfriend has a scab or any of my family members I have to pick it!!! I just cant stand having them on me, they dont bother me at all but I feel if its there then I have to pick it. I will pick and pick and pick over and over. It will bleed then I will wait for it to scab over again untill it scars and that is when I stop. I just feel as if it is not meant to be there. Like when I read the story of the tree man, when I saw all the bark like things on him I just wanted to pick it all off! I know that sounds weird lol but i do. Even if my scabs really hurt when I pick them I just ignore the pain because I want it off! Also if I have quite a big patch of scabs I tend to get a razor and run it over the scabs so they all come off at once so I can get rid of them. Im soo glad to get all that off my chest lolx
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