One of the things I struggle with as a compulsion is skin picking or dermatillomania, I've had it for so long me and my parents really just got used to it I guess. On top of that I have a skin condition which triggers my skin picking habits sometimes. I've had a bunch of infections because of it, most recently a staph infection (again). And my doctor looked at it and said it was self inflicted and I had to explain to her I recently figured out with my psychiatrist that I most likely have OCD. It was embarrassing? It took a lot of me to even make the doctors appointment because I knew it was my own doing that it got that bad. And just sharing it with my mom so that I could go to the doctor was a lot. It's frustrating it doesn't seem like there's much specific treatment for it and I've already had at least 3 serious infections as a result of it. Still can't stop as it's typical of compulsions. Frustrating and not quite sure how to change it. My doctor demanded I cut down my nails though she isn't involved in my mental health network and that in itself made me feel like even more of a child for not being able to stop it myself. At least I had a good conversation with my parents about how it's not like self harm. I don't do it to hurt myself, I do it because my brain tells me to. Wonder if anyone here has any advice to prevent skin picking or know of any specific treatment people do for it? I'm really tired of it

sarahanne12

Date posted: 4y

I’ve struggled with this for a long time as well! The only thing that helped me was changing the obsession from pickin, to obsessing over skincare. Obsessing over clear skin. Come up with a really good routine. I knows it’s not good to swap an obsession for another, but it’s been less physically harmful in the long run! Also, On Amazon you can get ‘pimple patches’ or hydrocolloid patches. I use these and put them over every spot I want to pick so that I don’t see them anymore. Out of sight, out of mind (: as for the nails, it does help to keep short nails. At least for me. Hope any of this is helpful for you!

theowlsbrain

Date posted: 4y

Thank you for the advice! Bandages have helped in the past so maybe the "pimple patches" can as well

theowlsbrain

Date posted: 4y

Obsessing over skincare might be hard for me though as I have a lot of sensory issues related to my autism rip

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 4y

I didn’t have this exact issue but I did have the compulsion of touching everything in sight when I walked into a room. I had to ball up my fists and look at what I wanted to touch, but not allow myself. Maybe this could apply to you as well. Look at the skin you want to pick, but don’t allow yourself to. It will be hard but worth it

sarahanne12

Date posted: 4y

I kind of have to do this too, the OCD will say ‘you have to do it’ and then try to be a little devil and say ‘ok just one’ and then your skin is full of red bleeding patches bc it’s NEVER just one. Its always just the one that starts the cluster-f*ck 🙄

theowlsbrain

Date posted: 4y

Honestly thinking back om that doctors appointment I feel I was pretty belittled and talked down to by my doctor ://

sarahanne12

Date posted: 4y

What type of sensory issues? (If you don’t mind me asking)

theowlsbrain

Date posted: 4y

I have issues with stuff like creams feeling greasy and slippery, I dislike really soft things as well

sarahanne12

Date posted: 4y

@oakvpn I would do your research into oil-free fast absorbing products, also you can use rough wash cloths and towels too and maybe see if that’s better.

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