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Help with skin picking?

ScottishPixie1985

Hi Everyone!

I've recently been diagnosed with autism  at 38yrs, and am currently struggling with compulsive skin picking on my right arm, particularly the forearm and wondered if anyone had any advice or solutions? It's really beginning to get to me now as it leaves scars and my family (who I live with) aren't really helpful. They don't understand that scolding me for it doesn't work - it winds me up even more.

I'm on medication for anxiety, depression, and pain. I also have a psychology appointment in two weeks time.

Thanks in advance!

Parents

  • I have skin picking problem as well. For me I do it to my heels, often so bad it hurts to walk. I pick my lips as well, until they are a bleeding mess. I also pull my hair, I love that feeling so much.

    One thing that may help is N-Acetyl Cysteine (you can buy this online). It helps with automatic behaviour and addictions including cocaine and alcohol but also has been shown in studies to reduce skin picking.

    Another thing which helped me was to cover the area and find a way to forbid doing it. I usually had triggers and it was a habit that I would do without realising, so I put a physical barrier over the skin such as wearing 2 pairs of socks, which serves as a reminder not to start.

    If I do accidentally begin picking, I also have a stop mechanism now. Before I would just continue picking forever once I started, often until I was bleeding. It was compulsive. My stop mechanism is to use a pair of nail clippers to trim off the bit of skin with a clean edge and then cover the area with clothing or a plaster because the temptation is to touch the skin, feel that there is a bit that needs peeling or picking and then continue.

    I also try to stim more instead, because I've realised it is the physical stimulation that I'm after. So now if I catch myself starting to pick or wanting to, I do a stim with my hand instead.

Reply

  • I have skin picking problem as well. For me I do it to my heels, often so bad it hurts to walk. I pick my lips as well, until they are a bleeding mess. I also pull my hair, I love that feeling so much.

    One thing that may help is N-Acetyl Cysteine (you can buy this online). It helps with automatic behaviour and addictions including cocaine and alcohol but also has been shown in studies to reduce skin picking.

    Another thing which helped me was to cover the area and find a way to forbid doing it. I usually had triggers and it was a habit that I would do without realising, so I put a physical barrier over the skin such as wearing 2 pairs of socks, which serves as a reminder not to start.

    If I do accidentally begin picking, I also have a stop mechanism now. Before I would just continue picking forever once I started, often until I was bleeding. It was compulsive. My stop mechanism is to use a pair of nail clippers to trim off the bit of skin with a clean edge and then cover the area with clothing or a plaster because the temptation is to touch the skin, feel that there is a bit that needs peeling or picking and then continue.

    I also try to stim more instead, because I've realised it is the physical stimulation that I'm after. So now if I catch myself starting to pick or wanting to, I do a stim with my hand instead.

Children
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