I can't stop picking?!


Question: I can't stop picking?
I have this problem, well I might be over exaggerating a bit, but here we go.
I can't stop picking at my acne. I mean I've tried to, I really have, but now I sometimes do it absent mindedly. Also, it's all over me, so when the spots on my face become too sore, inflamed and infected, I have other places to pick at.
I seem to do it a lot more when I'm anxious, is that significant?
What's wrong with me?

Answers:

Cory,
It sounds like you have a condition called dermatillomania or excessive skin picking or picking at sores, scabs, acne, etc. Its known as an impulse behavior most often brought on by stress, anxiety, depression, and in some cases boredom. There's is nothing wrong with you by any means you just have simply taught your mind to relieve stress by excessive picking of the skin or in your case acne. Dermatillomania can cause very nasty infections on the skin and in rare cases can cause sepsis which is infection that enters the blood stream. The best way to treat it is to talk with a psychiatrist as it often is a result of anxiety, depression, or stress. You can try to treat it on your own by building more productive habits when dealing with stress such as exercise. There are numerous treatment options from seeking professional medical help and getting a prescription for anxiety symptoms like anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications to simply disciplining yourself to get over the condition. I personally have fought dermatillomania for almost 30 years and it is a difficult battle to fight.
Its a serious problem if you are picking everywhere on your body thus increasing your risk for some bad skin infections. If you see lines going away from the wound or suddenly start running a fever, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and a feeling like your heart is pounding out of your chest you need to seek medical attention immediately in the presence of a serious skin infection as these are signs of septic shock. Most likely you won't develop septic shock from simple skin picking but it has occurred.
In conclusion it is not an uncommon condition and you aren't abnormal for picking your skin due to stress or boredom. I wish you the best on getting good treatment. In some cases a staff psychologist or neutral person is ideal to help you cope with impulses to pick at your acne. Hang in there and good luck!



Wear gloves, so aren't able to pick them!

Dunno




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