Compulsive Skin Picking in Autism

Aw thanks, mine was September this year! Yes mine was brought up but I was actually doing it in my assessment unintentionally and I’ve had to do occupational health screenings as Ive work for nhs in mental health for decades and I do it mostly at work so it had been highlighted! I would defo advise anyone going forward for assessment to mention it though 

I was diagnosed in 2011 but this wasn't mentioned during my diagnosis. I did it then, I think I've done it all my life but I didn't think to mention it at the time.

Congratulations on your diagnosis!

Emmy I agree, didn’t know there was a link, I don’t know how recently everyone’s gone through diagnosis but my nhs one included it, I know a lot of people with adhd who do it too, there are lots of ‘ways’ about me I didn’t realise factored in as autism ‘traits’ or correlations like relationship history 

It does seem that a lot of us have this in common, perhaps there is a link with autism? I pick my skin and scratch it with my nails, sometimes until it bleeds though not recommended as this can result in infection. I believe for myself it could be related to stims and anxiety.

To add I got misdiagnosed as ocd as a young adult but diagnosed as asd later in life

She doesn’t need an asd diagnosis to come under the equality act in education- she should be under sen for any mental health needs x

Also education wise she should have access to a ‘fidget pass’ and I would state that’s a requirement as a reasonable adjustment, I work in mainstream healthcare education and preventing her this access is discrimination, her fidgeting will decrease her stimming in alternate ways that are harming her 

Hi, yes I didn’t realise it was asd trait but I pick skin around my nails, pull my hair out and when was younger actually took a chunk out of my lip when was picking dry skin in winter! This behaviour was brought up in my asd assessment as a socially acceptable way to drum and masking and since finding other ways to stim I do it a lot less but it’s mainly when I’m at work/ sensory overwhelmed I do it

I totally get what you mean. My nephew has CSP, and it's something I've struggled with too. It does seem like there's a connection with autism, but I'm not an expert.

 Maybe you could have a heart-to-heart with your sister and explain your feelings.

This thread is so interesting! I've always been a "picker", and over the past couple of years I've started to wonder if I have Asperger's Syndrome (I'm sure my 11 year old son is autistic, but he hasn't been diagnosed yet).

I just can't resist picking if I have a scab or an area of dry skin, to the point that I sometimes cause a mild infection due to never letting the skin heal properly. I didn't realise this is linked to autism.

I don't know if it is linked to anxiety in me; it's just a strong habit I've get into. I also comb my fingers through my hair a lot (with gentle pulling) to release loose hairs, and I'm very fidgety (swing my leg if I have crossed legs, rub my feet together etc). I put it down to a kind of "nervous energy" rather than anxiety as such.

Hi all, my son is 5 and on the autistic spectrum,  a few month ago he had a touch of dry skin cos he suffers from mild eczema , a couple of spots appeared and he won't stop picking them so they starting to heal then he's picking the scan off they going to end up scarring he's lovely little face, he likes to see the blood on he's finger! Can anyone recommend a good cream that helps them to heal fast or any suggestions on how to stop him from doing it. 

Thanks 

Thanks crazydarkside.  My OP was last December, since that time my daughter changed schools (she was suffering a lot of bullying and lack of support) and her skin picking is vastly reduced now.  It's something she has that is minor usually, and clearly gets very bad under immense stress.  She still has slightly sore knuckles but I think that is partly due to hand-washing irritation from the soap too.  We aren't using CAMHS, when they did her ASC assessment they were not good at engaging with her (they were the ones who failed to diagnose her autism!) and she refused to see them again for help with anxiety.  Since her school problems I had to use her DLA to pay for some private therapy sessions.  They ended because they didn't seem to really help her, other than using art and sand trays to put her feelings into a graphic way, but not how to solve the feelings.  I think she needs something like ABA behavioural therapy but that's beyond our finances.

oh ps it is an OCD type thing, called obsessive compulsive rumination.  Even if it is not anxiety related the tips can help to break the cycle.

Hi, Intense world.  My son picks his skin or he bites himself when he is stressed.  Be careful as it can escalate (my son started self harming with other objects).  CAHMS should have a unit within themselves that has counsellors with specific experience in ASD and self harm.  (these units are being set up round the country.  We were lucky we had access to a pilot scheme.

Have you tried Mohdoh, it comes with specific smells, so you can find one your daughter likes.

When we went for counselling, the lady counsellor who has AS herself, suggested another couple of ideas.  One was to put a rubber band on and twang when the need to pick comes up  (you have to remind them to begin with), this can work as it releases endorphins.  The other thing she suggested was doing something like swimming which again provides a release of endorphins in a pleasent way.

Also I can't remember if you said your daughter is on medication?  My son has recently started on sertraline, which reduces anxiety and therefore the need to pick.  I hope this helps.  Please let me know if it is any help

Crazy .

I think professionals are all too keen to put everything and anything down to anxiety.  Skin-picking in autism seems commonplace and I don't believe it's because of anxiety, I think it's a type of stim, OCD or something else.

I'm terrible for skin picking, I've done it since I was very young (probably starting when I started to get spots and acne) and my mum and dad are constantly getting on at me for it. my fingers are awful because I bite the skin around them too which I found out is called Dermatophagia and is caused by anxiety. I do have anxiety issues so this isn't hard to agree with although I don't just do it when I'm anxious, I can be quite relaxed and I'll still do it. I also have muscle tics which are apparently caused by anxiety even though I get them when I'm not anxious so who knows. 

I'm presuming you are both on the spectrum?

Im 42 and pick my skin all the time , but have no idea why I do. At the moment a couple of my fingers are sore and bleeding , but it's just something I always do . 

I do have it, but maybe not to the extreme some people do.  Having acne hasn't helped because I've just ended up picking that too.  I have had a go at things to the point my skin is red and bleeding.  I just feel an overwhelming need to remove something out of my skin I feel shouldn't be there and I can't not do it.  If someone tries to stop me doing it I get really agitated.  I've got better over the years where I have managed sometimes to stop before making things worse.  My family and partner just try and distract me if they catch me doing it, because sometimes I'm not even aware.  Right now I've got a bit of skin I keep picking at under my lip, which I've made bleed several times today.  I really should try and leave it to heal.... but, the higher my anxiety levels, the less I can cope with it.