What's the best way to stop picking at your skin?
20 Answers
Moderated by Maria Wasielewski, Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance, University of Arizona
Updated: Nov 16, 2021
Greatlistener87
on
Jun 28, 2016
Managing Emotions Expert
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This is a habit just like any other habits that you have. You just have to tell your mind not to do it cause its a bad habit. If you still do it put some lotion or something on your skin that makes it hard to pick on after.
TheTripleS719
on
Sep 19, 2016
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Put lots of lotion on it throughout the day. This makes your skin slippery, so it's a lot harder to pick at your skin.
KittyLikesToScratch
on
Dec 5, 2016
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Finding a new habit to do with your fingers is important. Try knitting or cross stitching. Something I do is play with play doh between my fingers when I need to be pushing at something.
avocadoallyson
on
Feb 6, 2017
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The best way to stop picking at your skin is to start by noticing when you pick at your skin. When you notice that you are doing this, you can stop yourself or start doing something else. Sitting on your hands can help if you feel like you will have a hard time not picking at your skin.
Anonymous
on
Sep 10, 2018
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Whenever you feel the urge to pick at it, remind yourself of your goal to stop. Then do something to distract yourself from it, like reading or drawing! Although it might feel annoying to resist the urge of picking at your skin, you will thank yourself later, because every time counts. Slowly your skin will get cleaner and clearer, and you will have a sense of accomplishment. Although it is a small habit to stop, overcoming it will give you confidence that you can do it with anything. You proving to yourself that you are capable to overcome something small is a step to overcoming something big.
SpiritWolfNYC
on
May 30, 2015
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Get a rubber band and put it on your wrist. Everytime you pick on your skin snap the rubber band on your wrist to inflict a small amount of pain to snap you out of it. Also try distractions such as chewing gum
BeFair
on
Oct 3, 2015
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Cut small bits out of the sticky part of a band-aid, and put it on what's bothering you.
It has to be just big enough to hide the spot. :) You're welcome.
LocalDreamer21
on
Dec 8, 2015
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i don't think there's a best way. You just need to try things and see wich works better for you.
what i do is to take some toilet paper and cut it in small pieces, then i put them in my skin and wet them. I wait for them to be more or less dry and then i pick the pieces of paper instead of my skin. Hope this helps!
Zozzie
on
Sep 23, 2019
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If it's more a case of absent minded picking, you could start by putting a plaster/sticker on your hand, then move it to something that isn't a body part, then try fiddling with something else e.g hoodie strings, stress toys, folding paper etc.
If it's more that you are looking in a mirror and picking at your face for example, maybe try reducing the intensity - go from picking to just touching (even mimicking picking), then try to just focus on the 'worst' areas (ones you find harder to not pick) so you're spending less time, and not picking at everything. It may help to look in the mirror in a darker room, or stand further away from it.
EndearingHeart7213
on
Nov 16, 2021
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Keep something nearby for you to fidget with so your hands stay busy and you are less likely to reach for your skin. You can also make sure any cuts or scratches that leave a scab are covered by a bandage so it's harder to do it absent-mindedly. Often times a need to pick is just a need to fidget in disguise and can be a side effect of anxiety or even ADHD, but can be stopped by preemptive planning. I have a fidget in almost every room of our home and in my car so when I start doing things like biting my fingernails, I can grab one.
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