Compulsive skin picking

[Anonymous]

I put bandaids on just the fingers I used to pick the other cuticles and then rewarded myself with something nice every Friday if I made it through the week without picking. I also paid close attention to the times I was picking and tried to avoid those - like not sitting and watching tv in the evenings, but doing something else, or putting shoes on if I did want to watch TV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is just one spot on each - go to your dermatologist; they'll burn or freeze the spots (its not as bad as it sounds, I swear), and then you keep ointment on them for a week or two and the spots will be all healed up and unpickable. Mine did this for me for several spots on my scalp that I couldnt stop picking for over 10 years. Never knew that was the solution!

Wow, my doctor just said to use Nizoral shampoo. I knew the solution could be to heal up the spots, but the doctor never suggested a dermatologist. I wish she would have.

I used Nizoral, tea tree oil, antibiotic ointment, and I can't remember what else I came up with, experimenting for months. I still have issues though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stopped for a while when my coworker almost got sepsis from a infected point around her nail where she had picked her skin. She said she got antibiotic shots in her fingers at the ER to avoid amputating her finger. Anyway that scared me for a while but also didn’t entirely stop the picking and now if I do bleed I wash it immediately and put neosporin and band aid. Sadly my son is a finger picker, and so is my mother. I definitely learned it from her and he definitely learned it from me.

Don’t beat yourself up - there’s a genetic component to it.

[Anonymous]

Another suggestion for professional dip powder nails - fingernails and toenails. Thick and on me, fake looking bit whatever. At least my cuticles and surrounding skin can heal.

I kept up with regular manicures for about 9 months; pronounced myself cured. Started picking again, but not quite as severe. Target areas now (without nails) seem to be thumbs, pointer fingers and pinky toes. Progress.

I will caution you that I have peeled off many many sets of gel nails, so again dip powder seems to be the best option.

I use heavy moisturizers in the shower-on my feet and hands. That helps!

Currently taking Lexapro. Taken other SSRIs to include Zoloft to no affect with the skin picking. I have/had diagnoses of anxiety, panic disorder, general anxiety disorder, post partum depression, bulimia.