How does one stop the compulsion to picking at their skin? I have scars all over from picking at the tiniest zit or bump on me. It becomes huge and takes forever to go away.

Anything aside from attending meetings and such. I don't think outing such an embarrassing thing would help me much.

Thanks for any and all help!!

Put your hands and fingers to work on something else. Take up rug hooking or crocheting or knitting. That way, not only will your hands be busy, but you will end up with beautiful Christmas gifts. I'm hereby placing an order for a cute winter hat, in hmmmmmm light and cadet blue. And get good at making hats or shawls or scarves and start a cottage industry.

Your public library is full of knitting and crocheting pattern and idea books. Look at this web site to see a cottage industry started by one creative woman who sews with fabric and fleece --

Stocking Caps and Jester Hats for Women, Men and Big Kids by GottaHavaHat

I have this problem... I have callouses all over my hand due to lifting weights and just overall being a man (yeah right).

I use a pumice stone to get rid of the rough edges of the callous so that I CAN'T pick it even if I could.

I used to carry a nail clipper with me just in case a small piece of skin stuck out. Instead of picking at it, I can just snip it. Possibility?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Put your hands and fingers to work on something else. Take up rug hooking or crocheting or knitting. That way, not only will your hands be busy, but you will end up with beautiful Christmas gifts. I'm hereby placing an order for a cute winter hat, in hmmmmmm light and cadet blue. And get good at making hats or shawls or scarves and start a cottage industry.

Your public library is full of knitting and crocheting pattern and idea books. Look at this web site to see a cottage industry started by one creative woman who sews with fabric and fleece --

Stocking Caps and Jester Hats for Women, Men and Big Kids by GottaHavaHat

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I already do knit and crochet. I don't think it is just something to do with my hands.

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Originally Posted by ISneezeFunny

I have this problem...I have callouses all over my hand due to lifting weights and just overall being a man (yeah right).

I use a pumice stone to get rid of the rough edges of the callous so that I CAN'T pick it even if I could.

I used to carry a nail clipper with me just in case a small piece of skin stuck out. instead of picking at it, I can just snip it. possibility?

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What?

With me, it's just a small case of ocd. I don't like things that stick out... and I have to get rid of it

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Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma

I already do knit and crochet. I don't think it is just something to do with my hands.

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How do you pick when you're knitting and crocheting?

Another magical ability granted by the AMHD gods.

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Originally Posted by ISneezeFunny

with me, it's just a small case of ocd. I don't like things that stick out...and I have to get rid of it

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I think that might be the same there.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

How do you pick when you're knitting and crocheting?

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I don't knit when I'm standing at work waiting for the doc to come out of a room, or sitting at a red light, or talking to someone...

Then find a substitute for those times. (I have a cousin who knits and crochets while standing at work, sitting at a red light, or talking to someone.)

I don't crochet while standing at work because I would get fired, I don't do it at a red light because I don't want to get into and accident. I could do it while talking to people though. Although they might think that I was not paying attention.

I just want to throw this out there, this is in the addictions section for a reason. It's not just something that I do when I'm bored. I have a problem.

Well, then, you're right. You have to conquer the OCD. Have you thought about how you can do that?

But there is something supremely satisfying about pulling off dead skin in as large a sheet as possible. There was even a sound to it, a dry rustling. I used to do that when I peeled after a sunburn.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Well, then, you're right. You have to conquer the OCD. Have you thought about how you can do that?

But there is something supremely satisfying about pulling off dead skin in as large a sheet as possible. There was even a sound to it, a dry rustling. I used to do that when I peeled after a sunburn.

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OMG, how is that helpful... That makes it worse. Thanks.

Gross, huh.

Have you tried anything that worked, at least for a while?

How about putting a rubber band around your wrist and snapping it when you begin to pick?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Well, then, you're right. You have to conquer the OCD. Have you thought about how you can do that?

But there is something supremely satisfying about pulling off dead skin in as large a sheet as possible. There was even a sound to it, a dry rustling. I used to do that when I peeled after a sunburn.

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I was definitely :eek: while I was reading that.

I'm thinking of writing horror fiction.

Any ideas for her, Sneeze, ol' buddy?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I'm thinking of writing horror fiction.

Any ideas for her, Sneeze, ol' buddy?

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I don't think you are taking this as seriously as it really is.

Well, for me, it's mostly callouses that come up on my hand, so I just do everything I can to get rid of callouses so nothing instigates me to start picking.

I do notice, however, that I pick my skin when I'm stressed or bored.

I've tried the rubber band on the wrist method, and being me, I think about picking my skin, look at the rubber band, and think "Why hurt myself when I can just gratify my ocd?" and proceed to picking my skin.

What is it that you pick at mostly? Is it just dead skin or your cuticles?