Ahh, science. What's next? Sharp objects really won't poke your eyes out? If they tell us hot toddies have no medicinal value, we will swear off research. Chicago Tribune. Page last reviewed: 24 March Next review due: 24 March Home Mental health Mental health conditions Back to Mental health conditions. Skin picking disorder. Check if you have skin picking disorder Most people pick at their skin from time to time, but you may have skin picking disorder if you: cannot stop picking your skin cause cuts, bleeding or bruising by picking your skin pick moles, freckles, spots or scars to try to "smooth" or "perfect" them do not always realise you're picking your skin or do it when you're asleep pick your skin when you feel anxious or stressed You may pick your skin with your fingers, fingernails, teeth or with tools like tweezers, pins or scissors.
Things you can try if you have skin picking disorder Do keep your hands busy — try squeezing a soft ball or putting on gloves identify when and where you most commonly pick your skin and try to avoid these triggers try to resist for longer and longer each time you feel the urge to pick care for your skin when you get the urge to pick it — for example, by applying moisturiser tell other people — they can help you recognise when you're picking keep your skin clean to avoid infection.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , a break in the skin can allow bacteria through and cause an infection known as cellulitis. Any injury that causes a break in the skin can put someone at greater risk of developing the infection. Other risk factors include obesity and swelling of the limbs. Picking at scabs, pimples, or other parts of the skin can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition called dermatillomania.
According to one recent study , dermatillomania — also known as skin picking disorder, excoriation disorder, neurotic picking, or psychogenic excoriation — can cause a person to pick at their skin excessively. People with dermatillomania can damage large areas of their skin, which can lead to the development of local infections and other complications. However, picking at a scab, pimple, bug bite, or other area of skin does necessarily mean that a person has dermatillomania.
The International OCD Foundation identify dermatillomania as a person experiencing all three of the following symptoms:. The most common symptom is that a person will continuously and habitually pick at a portion of their skin. The picking can result in damage to the skin tissue. According to the International OCD Foundation , a person may pick at one or more areas of their skin at a time. Some common areas for this include the:.
They add that a person often picks with their fingernails or fingers but that they may also use other methods, such as biting or tools such as scissors or tweezers. Without treatment, dermatillomania can lead to several potential complications. The Picking Me Foundation indicate that complications can include:. In one review of studies , researchers found similar potential complications, including abscess, paralysis, blood loss, and bacterial infections.
They also indicate that living with the condition can become life threatening due to blood loss, though it is important to note that this is rare. But under its surface, all kinds of things are going on. New skin cells are being made to help repair the torn skin.
Damaged blood vessels are being fixed. White blood cells , the kind that fight infection to keep you from getting sick, go to work by attacking any germs that may have gotten into the cut. White blood cells also get rid of any dead blood and skin cells that may still be hanging around the cut. By the time it's all done, a new layer of skin will have been made.
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