subject: Stop Picking Skin Disorder - 12 Effective Tips [print this page] Sometimes referred to as Dermatillomania or Compulsive Skin Picking (CSP), a Picking Skin Disorder is an uncontrollable urge to pick at the skin.
It is often observed in people suffering from a number of issues including Body Dysmorphic Disorder or somebody that self harms.
Recent studies report that often a Picking Skin Disorder may the action of an Impulse Control Disorder (ICD). This is believed to be part of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) range.
The central feature of Impulse Control Disorder is the unstoppable urge in controlling impulses because of the release and instant gratification gained, even at the expense of long term damage. For people who skin pick it is often performed to release stress and is used as a way of coping.
A Picking Skin Disorder can have a tremendous, disabling impact on sufferers and can govern every situation in their lives. People who skin pick can become confined to their home for days, even weeks, cancel social events, skip their job or school, dismiss appointments, become drawn from family and friends and even forsake vacations. Furthermore, it can have a crushing effect on relationships. From a physical perspective a Picking Skin Disorder can cause permanent scarring, serious infections and even disfigurement.
If you suffer from a Picking Skin Disorder here are some effective techniques that can be used to relieve and control skin picking.
1- Keep your fingers busy. Sometimes sufferers unconsciously skin pick through boredom. Try using therapeutic finger toys, stress balls etc. to keep your hands occupied.
2- Use band-aids. Either on your fingers or on the affected area. By placing obstructions in the way it not only makes it more difficult to skin pick, but also gives you a moment to think about what you are doing.
3- Keep your nails short. As with the band-aids, it is another barrier and will make it more difficult to pick your skin. Also it helps as it keeps them clean and decreases the threat of a skin picking infection.
4- Pinpoint Triggers. Record of the events leading up to your skin picking, for example stressful events, so next time these situations arise you will be more alert to them and can select alternative ways to handle them.
5- Honey. Some people report that they skin pick due to the pleasure and release they get when picking scabs or tough skin. Using honey on hard skin and scabs will soften them, therefore decreases the pleasure, and also it is a wonderful natural antibiotic (petroleum jelly works too).
6- Soothe Itching. Applying an anti-itch, anti-inflammatory analgesic balm to target areas that are vulnerable to itching will reduce the chance of unconscious desires to scratch.
7- Elastic Band Method. A technique devised by scientists is to put an elastic band around your wrist and flick it onto the skin if you find yourself picking. This draws your attention away from the temptation to skin pick.
8- For a Scalp Picking Habit. Often an itchy scalp can lead to picking. Try using a mixture of coconut oil with a few drops of tea tree oil massaged into the scalp. Leave for 15 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water. This moisturizes the scalp and eases irritation.
9- Relieve Stress. Try deep breathing exercises, meditation, listen to some soothing music or take a relaxing walk in the park.
10-. Tell somebody. As well as offering support and encouragement, by telling a close friend or relative they can help you to become aware if you unconsciously skin pick.
11- Be positive. Believe in yourself, you will beat this. A positive mental outlook works wonders.
12- Take Control. The key to overcoming your Picking Skin Disorder is to make a decision to stop. When you do this you can then make the next step and concentrate on the actions needed.
These techniques hopefully will help you to decrease and control your Picking Skin Disorder. An Impulse Control Disorder is a compulsive habit and so for a long-term, lasting solution, the skin picking habit needs breaking.
