How do I stop picking the skin off my fingers?

[mariejade23]

I’m a 20 year old and ever since I can remember I have picked the skin off my fingers, although I’ve never had it diagnosed I’m 99.9999% sure it is Dermatophagia, as I have googled it and it sounds very very similar to what I go through myself. I have never spoke to anyone about this and it affects my life everyday. I pick and bite the skin off my fingers until they bleed and are sore. I need to find someone else with this condition because it has affected me my whole life and I’m too embarrassed to go to the doctors. I’m also afraid because of the extent I go to in picking my fingers that I have permanently damaged the nerves in my finger tips and can’t really feel anything as a result. I really hope someone can relate and give me some advice, I feel so lonely because of this and would just like to know I’m not the only one.

[Hidden]

Hi Marie - I know you are embarrassed, but PLEASE go to the doctor - right away.. Whatever it is, it can be relatively serious. I had a friend years ago that did the same thing, and she ended up getting a pretty serious infection from it...

[lovesradio]

Just remember that your GP will have seen far worse things than your fingers. S/he will hopefully give you some help with the condition.

[mariejade23]

Thanks for the replies guys, I should definitely go to my GP about it, it’s just building up the confidence to ring up (I’m an anxious person) but I just want to stop. From what information I’ve seen, it’s a form of OCD so I’m worried it may be something I can’t help but do 😞

[Bettyboop71345 in reply to mariejade23]

Hi Marie, I pick at the dry skin on my thumbs until they become raw and painful. I have to put Neosporin and a a band-aid on until the pain subsides. I too suffer from anxiety. I am on meds for it. Hope you see your GP...very soon 😍