Healing Picked Skin & Scabs | Dermatillomania 

Literally about to cry hearing this. I have a severe problem with picking. It makes me feel ugly and uncomfortable without makeup or w swimming. I get so frustrated with myself when I pick but I can’t seem to stop especially during times of high anxiety. Thank you. Makes me feel like I’m not a monster and not alone. Much love.

most depressing part is when you meet people and they constantly looking at your scab or acne scar 😢 thank you for this

OMG I had NO IDEA this was a "thing" & I feel so much better knowing that I'm not alone. THANK YOU! I've been a picker for years SO BAD & my husband never understood & it bothered him so I would pick somewhere that nobody could see it & then it REALLY became an issue in our intimate relationship because it was on my bum! I mean it was COVERED in sores & I'd have bloody sheets. I would always find myself hiding the bloody spots until I could get them in the washer. Everytime they would start to heal completely I'd tear it open again. I LOVED it! It's been a few years now & I do have some scars. I honestly don't know HOW I managed to quit. I do find myself picking at my scalp now but NOTHING like before. My husband was in the hospital & had a major operation & I had to help with his wound care & he used that tagaderm & I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE IT & NOW I understand why! I enjoy picking it off! Thank you SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!

I'm a skin picker. I don't even notice time passing by. When I start picking I can't stop. Like I can't function unless I finish picking off the scab. But if it itches it feels so so good to me to pick them. It's my stress relief.

Thank you for posting about this❤ Skin picking has been & still is my biggest insecurity. Especially since most of my picking is on my face. It’s just so hard to stop, I know that it’s destroying my face & I’ve been doing it for so many years that I can see all the craters & scars that have formed, and it just makes me feel so ashamed of myself. I wish I could have the self control. I know that there are other people who also feel this way, but it’s tough when nobody in my life can relate. That all my friends & family say to “just stop picking”. I really wish it was that easy. Going to give this method a try!

Hi everyone! I thought I’d mention this in case it is useful. I have been diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, OCD (and a few additional psychiatric disorders). The anxiety and OCD have brought about severe skin picking since I was young. Recently, I’ve found that using sensory items has eased my picking. I typically pick at my skin when I am anxious, irritated or bored. Especially when at home, I’ve found that reaching for something sensory - such as play-dough - has worked when I feel the need to skin-pick. Rolling it between my hands/giving my hands something to interact with (knitting is another good one) seems to distract very well. If I feel the need to skin-pick when at work or in public, I purchased a sensory/nervous energy ring and necklace. Rolling the beads on my ring or necklace takes away some of the nervous energy and keeps my skin-picking fingers busy!

Thank you for posting this. I needed to hear this.

Yass! I use Sudocrem and Bepanthen at night. Helps heal faster and prevent scarring!

Man everything you said is so relatable, I will definitely check out that film tagaderm thing, I’m always looking for ways to seal off my skin

YES!! Finally someone else who suffers from the same condition as me. I thought I was the only one with this. Sometimes my wounds last for weeks or even more because I won’t let them heal. I’ve been wondering how to heal my wounds faster. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much. I have super obsessive dermatillomania. I am usually a naturally fast healer, but now im on acqutane, so I appreciate the help.

Thank you for sharing this! You Rock! Happy New Year! Yes, you helped someone!

Thank you for sharing these tips; I will try the tegaderm and see how it works out!

Thank you for your bravery. I struggle with this too.

You are a life saver.. thank you for posting this video

Thank you sooo Much I've been suffering for a while now , and this video really inspired me . I'm going to walgreens FIRST thing tomorrow

You are amazing young lady and brave! An inspiration to me. This is the only video I’ve watched of yours so far but I have subscribed and liked And shared. This reminds me of the 12 steps from AA/NA RECOVERY. First step which takes courage is ; 1. We admitted that we have become powerless. Thank you for the courage.

Thank you so much! It so hard to find Tipps on treating that open, picked spots on the skin, so this helps a lot :)

Hey, thank you for being so down-to-Earth. It's great that you've come a long way and figured out so much, I think a lot of us who have issues with bothering our skin are really appreciative of what you're doing here. Even though I don't know you personally I want to say I support you in spirit and I think it shows a lot about your personality that you found resources that work for you, continue to experiment, and have the desire to share with others who can benefit from your personal experience. Keep us updated! Skin-picking and body dysmorphophobia run in my family, so I have been struggling with it for a few years now. A specific event made it much worse for a time and that's when I had to figure out how to change my behaviors. A lot of what you said is helpful. I use hydrocolloid bandages when I slip up, and I know that if I get stressed, drink too much alcohol or use some other substances like marijuana it gets worse, as my anxiety increases. So making sure to find ways to calm down and relax, like taking walks, or baths, or napping, can make a huge difference. Good luck!

Thank you so much for sharing these things!

Great tips, thank you!

Thanks Jasmine, I know it can be difficult for people to talk about mental health issues like this, especially if it stems from traumatic events, which is the case for me. It can be hard to hear some of those trigger words, and I really think that those who struggle with this issue should definitely talk with a therapist or someone they trust about it. The issue tends to be more complex and runs deeper than one would think, and anything to do with the face, hair, and body is tied to a person’s identity and self-worth. Some of my strategies have been to cut my nails down as short as possible, even to the point of sensitivity, and then if the urge is extra bad, wrap bandaids around the nails too, just in case. Also, when covering up those spots with makeup, I’ve noticed that the more makeup I put on, the worse my skin looks or the more those blemishes and scabs stand out. So only adding a thin, clean layer of foundation is best, then a little bit of concealer, and then I suck it up and remind myself that I am my own worst critic and no one cares that I’m having a bad skin day because everyone struggles with something lol.

Thank you. I feel there is hope for me to feel better about my skin 😢

Great advice thank you and best wishes

Jasmine, I am so grateful that I've found your video. It's so nice that you're talking not only about the healing of scabs, but also a lot about treating ourselves gently and making a deal with ourselves. I am always trying to find what feelings trigger the urge to skinpick in the first place and if it is something like shame or some kind of fear, I know that it is time to give my inner child some attention and reassurance. Or maybe also to switch to another task, to rest for a bit We are all beautiful no matter if we have scabs or pimples ❤️

Hydrocolloidal bandaged have became my best friend as well!!!

I've been suffering from OCD since I was 11 or 12. I have a tendency of picking at my face. But my worse OCD is trichotillamania. I can totally relate to you.

I have been putting antibiotic ointment on in the morning and night either with or without a band aid for years. When I can't see the spot that I normally pick it, it helps a lot with the healing process, but eventually the band aid comes off, I pick, and the process starts all over again! So frustrating!

My body look so nasty picking it I don’t wear shorts or short sleeve shirts bathing suits or nothing

Thank you! My arms are a mess lately.

Great reco!

Last year a dermatologist told me to take NAC also known as n-aceytl-cysteine. It is an amino acid that helps support glutathione production in the liver which is a master antioxidant. NAC had GREATLY helped me with my picking behaviors as there are scientific studies show it does help with the urge to pick. I have OCD and I've been dealing with cystic acne and purging with tretinoin so the picking had been continuing unfortunately. I had issues with my bum before also but it's alot better and my skin is smoother because I'd get clogged follicles, etc. It took me several months of exfoliation with Cerave salicylic body wash and Cerave body cream to clear out the clogged pores so I don't have texture anymore in those areas hence, no more picking. Still have deep cysts on my jaw but I'm getting better. Anyway I have found I need NAC daily to manage the picking behavior, i think it's a possibile nutrition deficiency where it causes imbalance in brain chemistry to do these behaviors.

you are letting me know I am not alone thank you

Thank you so much I’m only 12 and have so much scabs in my hand and face because I pick on it

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU

As a kid, I used to get bites all the time due to me being outside rolling around and stuff. I ALWAYS picked my scabs cause it was just tempting through ages 5-7. I stopped once I realized they were becoming scars, and I still have them to this day. I wear sweaters everyday and rarely take them off at school, I’m just self conscious of them. I’ve been trying to find something that can help and that my mom can try to do.

thank you so much I have a dance in 3 DAYS and I picked it thinking it was a mosquito bite

I won't stop picking until the spot feels like I've gotten everything out of it. That or until the spot is a bloody mess. A scab forms or I feel like something is still there, I pick again. And repeat the cycle until I'm so ashamed of myself that I go into depression and just sleep until it's all heal.

Thank you!!!

I can’t thank you enough for your video! My OCD has progressively gotten worse and as a result, I’ve resorted to attacking my skin. It’s reached a point where I can only wear long sleeve shirts, as the scabs are so bad. I truly appreciate your thoughts and will give it a try! Bandages and everyday bandaids have also failed with me.

How do you deal with the nerve pain when the wounds are deep?

i have scars from picking my skin, from my acne and i have scars because of stretch marks :c i havent been able to stop picking my skin for so long it makes me sad i havent been able to stop picking at my scabs for 5 or more years

Has anyone delt with when skin wont scab and becomes spongy?

Thank you for sharing. :) However - You should never use a triple antibiotic ointment for these wounds because it's too heavy & clogs the pores! You should use a mild sensitive skin cleanser then CeraVe healing ointment then cover with a hydrocolloid skin patch for overnight. When not using the patch, substitute a sensitive skin treatment serum - like CeraVe resurfacing retinol serum that also has ceramides to repair the skin barrier & has niacynamides which helps the discoloration and potential scar.

What about the already made black marks

What ointment do you recommend x

You said you pick your arms...I do to and my thighs! I just started this about a year ago and now I have got it under control somewhat but now I have scars and Im ashamed to wear shorts or a short sleeve shirt and I live in North Carolina and Ive ALWAYS went to beach and had clear good skin but now Ive got all these like dark looking dots and don't know what to do!! Do you have any ideas??

I picked my face real bad a few weeks ago and everybody tells me I've just ruined my face. I've never felt so insecure before and I'm just 14. I have been told to apply soframysin on that wound on my face but it wasn't working for me so after searching a bit about that wound i found that vaseline could help to heal that wound but it isn't working either. I have no idea what to do now, whenever i go to school everyone makes fun of my scar. Someone please recommend what can i apply on that wound to heal it

And a really AMAZING OINTMENT THAT WILL HELP START HEALING VERY QUICKLY IS Calmoseptine Ointment!! This stuff is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! BUT the only place I could get it was hospital or Dr..

I’m a picker. Currently got a bunch of raw sores from flea bites. We had taken in a new cat. I pick daily. It’s bad.

My parents take my phone and don't let me out of the house when I pick my skin. They make me wait until all my scabs are healed. I'm 25........

Try alo vera or something for your skin. I used that for my hands and face. Also you are so pretty, can you also take away my intelligence?

I have these white spots because of picking and I’m so afraid they won’t go away 💔

Im almost terrified to ask this... I know other people online suffer with the same condition as i am dealing with. Who out there who has wounds, also suffer with white elasticy itchy painful papule like, plug like, carrot like in shape, fill the follicle it is in and protrude from the surface of the skin. Sometimes, when a scab is pulled off, these white itchy "plugs" will be attached to the under side of the scab. There is physical relief (not mental) when the white plugs are removed. But removal is no easy process sometimes. But this has been a never ending plague. It goes amywhere i have an open wound. I was just bit by mosquitos. And i scratched it unfortunately. And now it's there. But it is in multiple places. Ive been dealing with this nonstop for years. Ive been to my physician assistant, primary care physician, emergency room, and of course dermatologists. They tyoically think im crazy and view me as a picker. But my physician assistant did just let me submit a sample of the white plugs and they wete examined. It is undetermined but i was concerned it was fungal or parasitic (demodex mites was my concern) i was told it was neither parasitic or fungal. But what it was is still unknown to me. So many people online have so many different diagnosis. If they have one at all. But this is painful and never ending since 2017. I moved in 2019 and still experince it so it isnt environmental. I don't believe. Anyways its a horrible situation and im wondering if anyone else out there deals with these white intensely itchy and sometimes painful plugs. Am i the only one on here? I know i am not on the internet. Theres TONS of people online wirh the same issue. Ive seen photos of my identical problem. Its crazy. Bit no one answer.

Can you make a video on scars please?

Will tattoo after care clear bandage work?

Does it hurt to remove the patches? I have some painful scab spots on my face and I’ll try putting a sheet mask to moisturize it but I can’t let it dry cause then the mask gets stuck to the spot and I can’t remove the mask cause a scab forms on the mask and it pulls the scab off and hurts REALLY bad. The thing I’ve found that helps is hydrocolloid patches. It’s just really hard not to pick the soft scab after but it helps stop the picking cause it seals all the way around. It’s almost invisible and you can wear makeup over it without it being too obvious. Unless you’ve got the big patches on or a bunch of the little ones clustered. But i guess those would be good for smaller individual spots rather than large areas.

I have worn long sleeves since last fall! I’m super depressed cuz I live in Tx and it’s now summer and I can’t wear shorts or shirt sleeves. I’m going to try this so hopefully it works. Also what do y’all use for dark spots cuz I have tons now?

I pick my scabs and I have scars everywhere I’m going into middle school and I don’t want to get made fun of my scars😖

hey i have a scar from a an eyebrow razer on my face since i peeled a layer of skin off it left a scar and i picked the scab i have had this scar for about 2 years and its still really dark is there anyway you can hell me get rid of it

Hi. Patti here. I have only started picking recently. It's bad. Can't stop. I am 71 and never had this issue. I was diagnosed with a serious auto immune Neuro muscular disease 5 years ago. I now have severe depression and anxuety. I began having dry bumpy areas on my arm and started picking them to the point of bleeding. Got that healed and began picking upper arm. Now covered in wounds. My urge to pick happens at night. I have tried every soap and ointment. I need help.

There is actually bandaids that are made with this.

They heal the scabs so quick

My scab is not healing its been 2months what should i do😭😭

Sadly I can’t use those bandaid things because it’s on my scalp :( do u have any tips for that??

What can i use for the dark spots left behind from picking the scab?

Dang im a picker n i hate tht i du tht .but its a habit. The moment i feel unsmoothness on my face .time tu scratch it off 😂😂. Not kool tho. Now i just buy patches so i wont

If its fungal and you keep it moist it will never heal, and may even get worse. At least that’s how you know it’s fungal lol

Don’t ✍🏻 leave ✍🏻 on ✍🏻 forever ✍🏻

thanks for sharing. One thing that is helpful - stay away from the mirror.

You’re beautiful. 😍

My scab hasnt healed n its been over a year pls help 😫😭😭