Trusted Health Products
Written By Kassandra Foreman / Reviewed By Ray Spotts
Skin picking is a disorder that can involve healthy or damaged skin and can occur for short periods of time or last longer. Treatments often include therapy - either cognitive, behavioral or others – as well as medication.
OCD And AHD
Skin picking occurs in a small percentage of people and is often connected to other disorders as well. Often those with OCD and AHD, among others, will develop skin picking disorder. It can occur on its own, but most often is in connection with anxiety or stress.
It often begins by picking at scabs, wounds, acne, and other imperfections either perceived or real, but can also occur with healthy skin. It may occur for short periods of time - a few minutes - or for extended periods, leaving the skin damaged, raw, and sore.
It can also occur for short periods of time when someone is under extreme stress or anxiety, and may last for a few hours, a few days, or over weeks and even years. Where skin becomes irritated or damaged it may leave areas that are easier to pick at, making it worse rather than better.
Skin Picking Disorder Symptoms
This disorder may result in rashes, dry skin, damaged skin, small injuries or wounds, breaks in the skin, and other concerns. The symptoms can be treated with a cream, either a simple moisturizer at home or a prescription or antibiotic cream when needed. This will not solve the cause of the issue but can help the skin to heal and be healthy.
Skin Picking Disorder Treatments
The disorder itself is treated with medications, often those used for anxiety, depression, or OCD, or it can be treated with cognitive behavior therapy. In these situations a distraction or replacement is offered in an attempt to change the behavior, such as using a stress ball to squeeze or a hobby such as coloring or knitting that engages the hands.
Busy hands are less likely to pick at the skin. In some instances it may be recommended to wear bandages or gloves to deter any damage from occurring during flare ups, and this may lessen the urge to pick as well as prevent damage. Skin picking disorder can affect all areas of life, and it may be involuntary or become a habit.
Many will not even realize what they are doing, so will continue for minutes or even hours. This is not a short-term concern but one that can happen on and off for years, so treatment should be sought. It can be treated at home with lotions to encourage skin healing, Medication and therapy may be required for long-term treatment.
Looking for 100% chemical-free, all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list.
Written By:
Kassandra Foreman has been writing freelance for five years now and enjoys learning about new things to write about. When not writing she teaches yoga and meditation with a focus on health and fitness.
Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.
