Skin-picking habit
Tips for quitting
- 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 longer and longer each timeif you can't resistit altogether.
- Keep skin clean to avoid infection.
- Stay busy .
- Get rid of tweezers, pins and any other instrument you might be tempted to use.
- Try squeezing a soft ball or playing with blue tack instead .
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Dermatillomania is a condition where a person feels compelled to pick at their skin, to the point where it causes visible wounds.
DoI have it?
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
Who develops dermatillomania?
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
Why does dermatillomania happen?
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
What should I do?
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
Tips for quitting
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
Support
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
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