How to stop scab picking?

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I've been scab picking lately, and I'm struggling to stop. Is there any suggestions on something that might minimize it.

I got this link from Wikipedia on "dermatillomania"
http://www.stoppickingonme.com/
I read through many pages at the site, it was interesting, though hasn't stopped me-but it's still good info. to have.

Not bleeding is a good start. I'm 43 and still can't resist those scabs. It's not just getting rid of the roughness it is the itching..maybe you could try some bacitracin and a bandaid to cut down on the temptation?(harder to get at, heals faster, iscky to touch bacitracin and less itching...helps a little...sometimes.

I count that as one of my stims. I second covering it. Try to get a band-aid that will cover the whole thing.

I pick at my skin as well.

Interesting question about scab picking!

I used to be a recidivist scab picker, so much that I waited with anticipation for my bumbling injuries would cake over so I could pick and eat them (yes) and watch the healing process and repeat; and sad when the wound was totally pinked over. Didn't progress to *causing* wounds though; just a benifit of having them...

Now that THAT madness is over.....I'm not quite sure how or when the habit stopped; as in..I don't recall having a *concious* process of ceasation. I remembetr thinking at one point about the process of doing it in general, as in... hmmm will I always do this, I can't seem to stop, owell..I'll cross that road later...pick pick pick, ect.

I moved in somewhere where I was able to eat when I was hungry, had no media other than books and the occassional movie or radio tape and given lots of guided outdoors activity plans with projectiles, animals, sharp destruction or building type objects; things that I could repeat on my own so I could stay out of everybodies way. The worst injuries I got after that were archery chafting and once I impaled (a little) myself on a stake during a fall. There also were no sidewalks.... where I had gotten almost all of my scabs to begin with. ie: Healthy environment.

Shrug. It just went away. I forgot..
Also, a possible subliminal reason for scab picking for me was the very fact that picking a scab increases the likelyhood of scarring. Increasing the scarring increases the likely hood that that instance will always be remembered. I had this thing about remembering. I never wanted to forget-anything. Not a skinned knee, or a cut, or anything. It seemed like people forgot to much, and I didn't want to be like that, wanted to fill the gap.

nuff about me. Those are my scabbing experiences. Sorry if I grossed anyone out with the eating of part. Good luck.

By the way...if you got a hold of some neosporin or some vaseline and bandaids you could keep your scabs wet--and then picking them is ...well....you'll see.

Bye,
Great thread topic, again.

I have this method that works very well for me. Take a paper towel or a small washcloth, and soak it in hot water. The water should be as hot as you can handle without scaling your skin. Put the washcloth or paper towel over the scab. Keep it there until the scab becomes softer. In about ten minutes, the scab will fall off the wound. At the same time, there will be very little or no bleeding, because it is not being picked off. Wipe the wound until it's dry, and cover it with a bandage (do not leave it uncovered). A new scab will grow back in a day or two, but it will be thinner and softer than the original scab. As a result, you'll have an easier time resisting the urge to pick it, or you can repeat the procedure.

Things that come off your body
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uuXLew2qWg[/youtube]

im fighting not picking at my eczema which has been a perma patch of scab for a bit now

I kinda hear my mother's voice when I go to pick such (I tend to bleed, which is due to how hard I pick/scratch), as she tells me not to; repetition seems to work for me.

Yes, this is a problem for me. I was unfortunate enough to contact scabies (a harmless but highly unpleasant skin infection) about seven years ago, and even though the actual infection is long gone, I still have a bunch of scabs on my arms, legs, and other places because I've picked them so often. I've tried various methods. When I can wear long-sleeve shirts I don't pick much, because it impedes access to my arms. But I live in Southern California, so it's not really practical for the entire year. So I try to do something else with my hands to provide stimulation, to varying results. My biggest problem with this recently has been picking before I go to sleep. It often takes me quite a long time to fall asleep, which makes me anxious, and I have a harder time stopping the scab-picking. I've tried various things, but the biggest help has been medication for the sleep problem. My psychiatrist has also suggested wearing gloves to sleep, which I still need to try. I used to rub skin product on it right before going to sleep to satiate the urge, but that just made the scabs softer and easier to pick. It's been hard.

Embarrassing question: does anyone else here have problems with picking at someone else's skin, namely a romantic partner's? It's a terrible habit, I know, but bumps on skin just bother me for some reason.

Why stop?
(just kiddng )

I am bad about this.

The washcloth technique is good advice.

i use a bandaid...that helps for a while.