Help with Dermatillomania (compulsive picking of skin)

Trying to identify why he is picking might help, I used to do it too as I constantly needed something to do with my hands, if that's the cause trying to find a stim toy/fidget toy might help, personally I do origami and have a tangle toy.

If there is another reason behind it, perhaps something like stateofindependance mentioned then being able to identify that will help a lot too.

Also if the scars are an issue then I have found that bio-oil works wonders at reducing them.

There have been quite a few clinical trials on Inositol, eg this one www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../8780431

Also may be worth trying N-Acetyl-Cysteine as this can can help some complusive disorders. Was going to try it myself as I am a finger-biter - with me its a sensory thing, trying to get it perfectly smooth - of course there is always one little flaky bit sticking out that demands another bite. Flexitol cracked finger cream is good for the ends of fingers.

The body skin picking sounds like it might be nodular prurigo - this is an autoimmune disorder that makes the skin so itchy, people pick obsessively and it sets off a vicious cycle. I know someone with it - she turned out to have a dangerously low vitamin D level (and coincidentally, has an autistic daughter)
Some useful info on this website www.nodular-prurigo.org.uk

Thanks for that.  I have done a search and have a few ideas to start with.  He always seems to need something to fiddle with so I have ordered a medicalert beaded bracelet to start with hoping that he might fiddle with that instead.  I am going to chat to his psychiatrist about the meds he's on an also see if there is a good cream so use on his wounds to help healing and soften hard skin too. 

Medication for anxiety tends to be something like sertraline or citalopram. But if the fluoxetine is helping him then it doesn't really matter. :)

Thanks for your reply.  It all started about 2 years ago with increased anxiety brought about by puberty.  He's under the care of a great psychiatrist, but only recently and he is the one who prescribed the Fluoxetine.  I'm very interested in your comments about that so I am going to bring that up with him.

As his anxiety has reduced, some of the picking has stopped but I think there is also an element of habit, perhaps.  I don't think he would respond well to CBT because his understanding and focus isn't good enough 

I somehow need to break the cycle.  Someone has suggested contacting the OCD society which sounds like a good idea.

Thanks anyway. 

Hi - if you do a search on the posts you'll find a discussion about skin picking.  It's v difficult to stop altho sometimes finding something else to "pick" might help some individuals.  Also if there are any issues with the skin itself such as hard skin, fatty lumps, skin tags etc then these shd be dealt with as they cd make a person more prone to pick at them.  I've read it's linked to anxiety + like all habits can be difficult to break.  I can't remember everything that was in the posts I've mentioned above but they'll be worth a look.  I hope other posters come soon with helpful suggestions.

Fluoxetine seems a strange choice - it is normally only for depression and I have heard that it makes anxiety worse. Obviously I'm not a dr though! But my psychiatrist has told me that I think.

I am really sorry to hear that he is struggling with this. Does he get any help psychologically? Does he pick through anxiety solely, or is there a 'deliberate' self harm element to it? CBT might help???

Never heard of the vitamin thing, sorry.

Sorry if this is not much help. I hope your son can find an alternative coping strategy which is less harmful.

Warm wishes :)