Compulsive Skin Picking (aka dermatillomania)

[Sapphire]

How many of you pick at scabs, spots, insect bites or your skin in general?

[Zan0ra]

I used to but then I stopped. ;)

[kitkat92]

Yes I am always doing it... I always pick at spots and scabs... And I love pressing bruises... I dunno y

[Sapphire]

I used to but then I stopped. ;)

That's good. How did you stop it?

[Zan0ra]

Well I got myself loads of hobbies, and stuff to do. Which drained away at my time. I do occasionally still do like once or twice a month though.

[ShatteredWings]

hm.. its very hard not to pick at any scabs and lillbits of skin.. and annoying..you can stop its just a pain in the butt. find something else to do with your hands

[Sapphire]

I have been doing this since I was a tiny tot and have tried nearly everything in an attempt to stop but none of it has worked. I don't even realise what I'm doing half the time. I just can't help doing it and it's driving me nuts. I seem to do it more when situations are tense or I'm in a bad place emotionally.

Can anyone relate?

[hobo]

i do it all the time :( and i always have scabs because they never heal.and sometimes i don't realise i'm doing it.

[Mr. Smithers]

I used to always do it. Just so it could keep bleeding and bleeding again. But I found out that by doing that, It can cause many infections so that made me stop.

[Sapphire]

i do it all the time :( and i always have scabs because they never heal.and sometimes i don't realise i'm doing it.

Do they eventually heal though?
I find that mine do eventually heal, it just takes a hell of a long time to get to that point.

I used to always do it. Just so it could keep bleeding and bleeding again. But I found out that by doing that, It can cause many infections so that made me stop.

I am so glad that you, and others who have posted here, have been able to stop. Infections can get really nasty!

[Zan0ra]

When I get bored I chew/pick my nails. There's something I cant stop. :P

[Oblivion]

I didn't realize fingernails count :P
I used to peel my fingernails, but i stopped

[Zan0ra]

I know, I was just saying.

[Sapphire]

Ok, just to make this topic less ambiguous I'll clarify a few things.

When I'm talking about this I am talking about a compulsive need to pick at scabs, spots or other bits of skin. This means that you feel you have to pick it and by doing so, regardless of whether you are conscious of it or not, quell inner tension (or a similar emotion). It isn't just something you do because you have nothing to do and I don't believe that it extends to biting fingernails.

[SirRawrsalot]

I pick at scabs whenever I'm stressed. I try to stop myself when I realize I'm doing it.

[Jackie bell]

Sometimes i like having scars. I don't know why. Scars look cool to me. Not big ones though.. Scars have many stories..

[Mr. Smithers]

Just as long as they are not scars on my face. On my legs or on my arms shoulders are ok but not on my face.