Skin-picking habit
A person withdermatillomania will habitually and excessively pick, scratch, gouge or squeeze at otherwise healthy skin.
Theyusually pick at the skin on their face and lips, but it can be any area of the body, such as the hands, scalp or arms.
They may pick at normal skin features such as freckles or moles, or at imaginary skin defects that no-one else can see.
They might pick with their fingernails, or use tools such as pins or tweezers.The result is often bleeding or bruising, which carries a risk of infection and scars.
A person with dermatillomania will experience intense emotions as part of their compulsion.
It's typical toexperiencean intense urge to pick the skin, with increasing tension until they do. After picking, there is a sense of relief.
Dermatillomania can cause negative feelings, such as guilt, shameand embarrassment.It's common to try to deny it or cover up the skin with make-up.
A person withdermatillomaniamay feel unattractive and develop low self-esteem, avoiding others.
Dermatillomania is a condition where a person feels compelled to pick at their skin, to the point where it causes visible wounds.
A person withdermatillomania will habitually and excessively pick, scratch, gouge or squeeze at otherwise healthy skin. Theyusually pick at the skin on their face and lips, but it can be any area of
Impulse-control disorders in general are more common among teenagers and young adults. Dermatillomania tends todevelop in theteenage years or early 20s, and affects more girls than boys. It might sta
It's not known what causes dermatillomania, but there are several theories. Some experts thinkit is a type of addiction . The more you pick your skin, the more you want to keep doing it. Dermatillom
See your GP if you're compulsively picking your skin or if younotice your child doing so. Your GP can refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for a form of talking therapy. You may need to be re
Occupy your hands with something else until the urge passes , or put on gloves. When tempted to pick, care for your skin instead for example, apply moisturiser. Aim to hold off the urge for l
If you havedermatillomania,it's important that you receive emotional help and support. This can be from family, friends or self-help groups. Organisations such as OCD UK are good places to start if