Skin picking disorder, also known as excoriation disorder or dermatillomania, is a mental health condition where a person repeatedly and uncontrollably scratches, squeezes, or bites their skin, leading to tissue damage and scarring. It is classified as a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). [1, 2, 3, 4]
Symptoms
- Recurrent picking at healthy skin, scabs, pimples, or calluses, mostly on the face, arms, hands, and legs.
- Picking that happens either with focused intent or automatically (such as while watching television or reading).
- Physical harm like bleeding, bruising, sores, and potential infections.
- Emotional distress, feelings of shame, guilt, or embarrassment after picking.
- Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop the behavior. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Causes and Triggers
- Emotions: Stress, anxiety, boredom, fatigue, or frustration often trigger the urge to pick.
- Sensory input: The physical texture of a scab, bump, or dry patch can prompt the behavior.
- Biology: Genetics and differences in brain areas that control habit learning may increase risk. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Management and Treatment
- Self-care strategies: You can practice stimulus control by keeping nails short, wearing gloves, removing tools like tweezers, and keeping your hands busy with fidget toys. [1]
- Professional care: Consult a general practitioner or mental health professional if picking causes physical injury or emotional distress. [1]
- Therapy and medicine: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and habit reversal training (HRT) are primary treatments, sometimes paired with medications like SSRIs. For further guidance and support resources, visit the NHS overview on skin picking. [1, 2, 3]
If you would like, please share:
- Which areas of the body are most affected
- Whether the picking feels automatic or focused
I can offer more tailored self-help or management tips.
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes.
