02 May Help with Skin Picking: Understanding Dermatillomania
Help with Skin Picking: Understanding Dermatillomania and Finding Relief.
Skin picking, also known as dermatillomania or Excoriation Disorder, is a body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB) that affects thousands of people. It can involve compulsively picking at the skin, often to the point of bleeding, scarring, or infection. For many, it’s not just a habit—it’s a cycle of anxiety, shame, and compulsion. I know because I am a skin picker! I have been since I was a small child however, I didn’t even know it was a thing other people struggled with or get diagnosed until my thirties. During ‘lock down’ I picked my feet so much, that they were bloody and bandaged and I was unable to walk.
A combination of hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Inner Child Healing has helped me manage this debilitating condition.
Skin picking can look like – compulsively…
- Biting, chewing or picking the cuticle skin
- Picking at scabs and dry skin
- Chewing the skin inside of the mouth
- Picking at spots
- Nose picking to the point of damaging the internal structure of the nose
- Picking at perceived flaws in the skin and creating open wounds using fingernails or implements
If you’re looking for help with skin picking, know that you’re not alone—and there is support available.
Why Do People Pick Their Skin?
Skin picking often starts as a way to manage stress, boredom, or anxiety. It can become a compulsive pattern that feels impossible to stop, especially in moments of high emotional intensity or sensory overwhelm. Skin picking and other BFRB’s are OCD behaviours can be linked to ADHD.
Practical Tips to Reduce Skin Picking
Here are some practical steps you can start using today:
- Track your triggers – Use a journal or app to note when you pick and any feelings or thoughts that trigger the behaviour.
- Keep your hands busy – Fidget toys, stress balls, or textured fabrics can help redirect the focus.
- Create a skin care ritual – Treat your skin gently to reduce temptation and encourage healing.
- Wear barriers – Gloves, plasters, or hydrocolloid patches can act as physical reminders.
- Set small goals – Focus on progress, not perfection—celebrate even short periods of no picking.
Support that Makes a Difference
As a hypnotherapist, EFT Practitioner and coach specializing in emotional wellbeing, I work with clients who experience compulsive behaviours like skin picking. Together, we can uncover underlying emotional patterns, develop healthier coping tools, and create a sense of calm and control.
👉 Get help with skin picking here – book a free consultation and take the first step toward healing.
Or contact me directly here – https://rebeccadakin.com/