Can’t stop picking at skin, need urgent help

Anonymous
Maybe flaking a chocolate coating off of a cookie, or a candy coating from a sweet would be helpful? Anything that isn't damaging to you that you can pick at?
Anonymous
I ordered this bracelet:
https://habitaware.com/

Backordered, though.
Anonymous
I have OCD and am constantly picking at the skin on my chin. Meds help a lot. I have callouses on my fingers from the repetitive picking. I hate it.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I ordered this bracelet:
https://habitaware.com/

Backordered, though.

okay, THIS is it.

My DD does skin-picking in the form of face-picking. Skin-picking is a special category and has its own name (and not sure it's OCD related). The good news is it's actually not related to self-harm--it's not self-harming behavior, it's self-soothing behavior. This company has videos on this topic.

The other thing I want to mention is to take NAC (N-A-C) which is OTC. It helps with skin picking (and hair twisting etc). It takes a month to work. 2400 mg. (two 600mg pills 2x day) plus supplement with Vit. B12. (This was advice by both my skin-picking DD's pediatrician, and my other DC's fantastic psychiatrist, when I was on a tangent and asked him about my DD's face-picking)

Good luck, OP!
Anonymous
^^forgot to say, N-A-C also takes about a month to work (it has to get into your system)
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:^^forgot to say, N-A-C also takes about a month to work (it has to get into your system)


what is nac? i searched amazon for it and got a bunch of unclear options. Is it zinc? Please post link.
Anonymous
Also, treat your scalp for seborrheic dermatitis with Nozoral (may need a scrip). The less spots you have the less likely you'll pick.

I have this problem too.
Anonymous
Nizoral...
Anonymous
I’ve done this as well, it’s horrible and wonderful...

Get rid of good lighting that allows you to see the areas you’re picking and any magnifying mirrors.

Good luck. I know your pain. I pull hair as well, putting it in a ponytail helps.

Anonymous
Research about taking NAC for skin picking https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27007062/
Anonymous
You can buy NAC at the Vitamin Shoppe next to the DC Costco. https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search?search=NAC%20600%20mg
Anonymous
Walmart sells NAC
Anonymous
Former feet/callus, hand/cuticle picker and scalp/scan excoriator here. Lexapro helps but practically speaking, “dip powder” with fake nail overlay professional manicure has been life changing -
I can’t get scrape or peel my cuticles with the thick overlay.

Same with scalp scabs and pimples - the nails are blunt and I can’t get a good pick going...

I sought help from a dermatologist, too. I was so ashamed and cried when she did my head to toe exam and noticed my scalp and messed up toes and feet. I was prescribed a shampoo that used every other day and left the lather on for a few minutes. The scabs healed right away. My hairdresser suggested biotin supplements to support hair growth -
I had some thin and even a few tiny bald patches.

It’s ok, OP. There are so many of us out there. I’m the last person you’d suspect with these issues - I’m very well-dressed and am otherwise personally very fastidious and organized. Always look put together.

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