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Getting Nitpicky About Building a Dermatillomania Tool Chest

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I've experienced dermatillomania (or chronic skin-picking) since I was a little kid. Otherwise known as excoriation disorder, it involves compulsive, often mindless, picking at areas of my skin. It's an annoying issue to deal with, but thankfully, th...
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Dermatillomania Education & Support

Dermatillomania (a.k.a. chronic skin-picking) is more common than you think. It can be frustrating, but knowledge is power when it comes to dealing with it.

 
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A good overview of what Dermatillomania is and some of the possible causes and treatments.
Dermatillomania (Skin Picking)
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There are many different psychological conditions that are co-morbid with chronic skin-picking. While it's closely associated with OCD, it can also be related to autism, ADHD, anxiety, perfectionism.
Dermatillomania (Skin Picking)
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The Picking Me Foundation is a non-profit group with a mission to advocate and educate for those dealing with dermatillomania.
About Picking Me Mission
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Picking Me has some fabulous printable info sheets and downloadable resources to educate yourself about dermatillomania.
Management Tips for Skin Picking Disorder
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Dermatillomania can sometimes make you feel isolated. You're not alone. You can find a support group directory for people with body-focused repetitive behaviors (like dermatillomania and chronic skin-picking) here. There are both in-person and online...
BFRB Support Groups | TLC Foundation for BFRBs
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Body self-image can be a challenge when you have unhealed areas on your body that you've been picking. I love this body positive magnet to remind me that my worth has nothing to do with my appearance.
Body Positive Mirror Sticker - Reflections in this mirror may be distorted by society's definition of beautiful, you are more than a body
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For many people, anxiety and dermatillomania go hand-in-hand. Bringing down overall anxiety levels and learning to manage it better can help you to manage your dermatillomania as well. I love Headspace meditation app because it's an easy way to medit...
Mental Health and Wellness Resources and App | Headspace
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Fidgets and Picky Pads

One thing that helps to keep my dermatillomania under control is having a game plan for fidgeting and the urge to pick. Enter fidgets and picky pads!

 
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Picky Pads come in different textures and types. I like this silicone picky pad that you can dig beads and other small objects out, to get that satisfying feeling that often accompanies picking.
Ocean Fun Silicone Picking Pad for Skin Picking, Picking Fidget, Picking Toy, Fidget Picker
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This picky pad is actually reusable. You can melt and reset it around 30 times. Pretty awesome!
REUSABLE Bee Themed Picky Pad! Use 30+ Times Fidget toy, Skin picking, Dermatillomania, Anxiety, Satisfy Your Urge to Pick, Delve and Peel.
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Pick and peel stones are a good way to satisfying the urge to pick, like with a picky pad. The great part of these pumice stones is that you can reuse them over and over.
Deluxe Pick N Peel Bundle
 
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These fidget rings spin and are a great way to avoid the urge to pick.
LGBTQ+ Fidget Rings, Pride Flag Fidget Ring, Pride Month, LGBTQ+ Flag Ring, Lesbian, Gay, MLM, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Spinner Ring
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If you're the kind of person who likes to tap on your keyboard, this mechanical keyboard fidget is a great keychain addition. Plus, you can customize the colors you want on it!
Custom Keycap Colors! 9 Key Mechanical Keyboard Fidget
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This anxiety ring is a spinner ring, but it's so pretty that it could pass for a regular one.
Fidget Ring I Minimalist Ring I Spinner Ring I Anxiety Ring I Bridesmaid Gifts I Gold Minimalist Ring for Stacking, Crystal Studded Ring
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Like a fidget spinner around your neck, this spinner necklace is great for lowering anxiety and reducing the dermatillomania urge to pick.
Fidget Necklace, Spinner Pendant, Mindfulness Gift, Gift For Good Friend, Anxiety Jewelry, Fidget Ring, Fidgets for Women
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Speks are magnetic little balls that you can mold into different shapes. They make a great desktop fidget toy. A good option for reducing your dermatillomania symptoms.
512 Pixel Motherboard Speks
 
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It's not a fidget, but my Touchpoints help bring down my anxiety, which can help reduce the urge to pick my skin. It's all based on the science of bilateral stimulation, and wearing my Touchpoints for even just a few minutes can help ease anxious tho...
Wearable Stress Relief Device | TouchPoints
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Tools to Help With Pickable Spots

Sometimes, I get a spot that I can't seem to keep from picking at. When that happens, I rely on these tools to keep myself from picking as much as possible.

 
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N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement that's been shown to help with dermatillomania (chronic skin-picking) as well as other OCD related symptoms. You can read about the study here.
N-Acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Excoriation Disorder
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Always consult with your doctor, but N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has helped reduce the urge to pick at my skin. I take it twice a day, and it's not a miracle drug, but it helps a bit.
Life Extension N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 600Mg, 60 Veg Capsules
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be a helpful treatment option for dermatillomania. If you can't find a practitioner who specializes in it, this clinic offers online therapy and custom treatment plans.
Dermatillomania Center - Compulsive Skin Picking Help & Support | SkinPick.com
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Hydrocolloid patches are an absolute must for me. When I have a spot that's making my dermatillomania flare, I cover it with hydrocolloid to keep the temptation to pick it at bay. I've tried all different kinds of patches, and the Rael Miracle Patch ...
Rael Pimple Patches, Hydrocolloid Acne Patch
 
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For larger areas, hydrocolloid band-aids are great. You leave them on for an extended period, giving the spot time to heal. A great tool for dermatillomania.
Band-Aid Hydro Seal Waterproof Bandages, 10ct
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If you tend to have dermatillomania picking flares at night or around a specific activity or time of the day (while watching TV or sitting for long periods), these soft hand mitts can help to curb your action and create awareness and mindfulness.
Adults Sleep Mittens /Organic Cotton Eczema Mittens /Special Needs Mittens for Women/Nightime Gloves for Elderly/Stay on Fingerless Gloves
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Products to Help Put Your Best Skin Forward

It's easy to get negative about yourself when you're having a dermatillomania flare. Focusing on taking care of my skin always helps me to keep my attitude positive and my focus occupied.

 
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BareMinerals is my favorite because it actually improves my complexion and improves my skin's texture, making it less likely I'll have spots to pick.
COMPLEXION RESCUE® Tinted Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Mineral SPF 30
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Cuticles are a frequent picking area. Keeping them moisturized and soft is a good way to keep me from picking at them. This cuticle oil is light, absorbs quickly, and smells heavenly.
CND SolarOil Cuticle Oil, Natural Blend
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This concealer does double-duty by helping to heal blemishes at the same time as concealing them. The faster blemished spots heal on my face, the quicker they aren't a spot I'm tempted to pick at.
Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer
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This exfoliating scrub helps to scrub away the dead skin patches that can become pickable areas that flare my dermatillomania. Exfoliation is one of my best friends in the battle against skin-picking.
bliss Micro Magic Microdermabrasion Scrub
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Ouai's scalp and body scrub is a great exfoliant for your whole body, again to make your skin as smooth as possible, removing those patches that can flare my dermatillomania.
St. Barts Cleansing Scalp & Body Sugar Scrub
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I've tried so many different lotions, but it's hard to beat Jergen's ultra healing lotion. It absorbs quickly, isn't greasy, and it's so moisturizing.
Jergens Ultra Healing Hand and Body Lotion Dry Skin Moisturizer, Vitamins C, E, B5, 32 oz
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Lips are a frequently picked spot for a lot of people (including me). It helps to reduce any flakiness to keep the urge to pick away. I've tried so many different balms and Laneige lip sleeping mask is by far my favorite. It's designed as a sleeping ...
Lip Sleeping Mask - LANEIGE | Sephora