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SpottyFace , 16 Sep 2012

Need Advice! Deep Hole!

I've had a face picking problem for a while now and I seem to go through cycles. I'm going through a bad one right now and I look awful. I managed to dig a hole in my face trying to get the root of a pimple. I know this sounds crazy, but I have no idea what was going through my head when I was doing it! I'm normally a very level headed and common sense oriented person. I haven't left my home since Friday and I'm just waiting for it to get dark outside so that I can go do my laundry. I don't know how I'm going to make it through work tomorrow and the next few days...not to mention the fact that I'm so hungry but too embarrassed to even go through the drive through! (Luckily I had plenty of kitty food for my furry friends..would not let them go hungry!!) Does anyone have any tips or advice for quickly healing up a hole (and I mean a deep hole)??? I have calamine lotion...is it best to apply a thin layer, or smother it??? Please help me!
11 Answers
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newperspective
September 17, 2012
I would apply no more and no less than 3 layers. After each layer is applied, allow the layer you've just applied to fully dry before applying another layer. Only keep it on for an hour at a time before washing it off. DO NOT sleep with the calamine lotion on your face because it will clog your pores. Allow your skin to breathe at night while you're sleeping and only apply a facial moisturizer if you feel the need to apply anything. I hope this helps! XO - newperspective
SpottyFace
September 20, 2012
Thank you newperspective for your advice, just as you did when I joined. I'm so angry atl myself! I'd just love to give myself a kick in the pants..if that were physically possible..lol! I'm trying to see some humor in this, but it's difficult. I ended up wearing a band-aid to work today and I've hid in my cubicle for the past 3 days. I went to an afterhours care clinic after work today, and just as I suspected, that nice little number I did on my face is infected. So now I'm on antibiotics..talk about embarrasing when I had to show the young doctor my sore. He was professional, but I saw the look come across his face. These next two days are going to be very long. Thank you for your kindness, it always helps to talk to others.
MysteriousSunshine
September 17, 2012
I have done similar damage to you previously, so can completely understand! My suggestion is to dab the wound with witch hazel astringent and then put Polysporin on the it. You will be amazed at how quickly it will heal! Good luck. :)
SpottyFace
September 20, 2012
Hi MysteriousSunshine, I want to thank you for your advise. I'm so ashamed of myself. I just started a new job about a month ago and I've had scabs on my face since I started but this last session left me with one large hole on the lower left side of my face between my chin and bottom lip. I tried to "fix" it even though I knew better. I ended up having to wear a band-aid on my face to work today and then went to an aftercare medical clinic because it wouldn't stop oozing. It was infected of course and so now I'm taking antibiotics...its awful! I can't believe I did this to myself..because my other sores are almost gone and I would have had pretty decent skin if I hadn't picked at a bump on my face (that honestly was just barely there) I'm just humiliated, to the point that I want to quit my job and start over with new coworkers at a new job. I wish there was some kind of support group where I live. I do appreciate your advise and kindness, as well as newperspective's.
Emmi
September 20, 2012
Hun, please dont beat your self up, Im sure your co workers arnt judging you, they probably havent even noticed and if they have then there probably concerned more then anything. I have had the same thing, just above the corner of my lip on the right hand side, it was so deep and was pussy and grose, turns out it was infected with staph, Dont be ashamed, these things happen, just stay positive and try to leave it aloe, keep your hand doing other things. You'll get there the anti biotics will help them heal alot faster :)
SpottyFace
September 20, 2012
Hi there Emmi! Thank you for the words of encouragement! Though I'm sorry you also went through this, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one. I actually stayed home today, this thing really hurts and I have a big bandage over it. I started the antibiotics last night and I feel better knowing that I'm on the right track. I try to look at the positive points...that maybe you have to hit bottom before you can go up. I feel like this is my bottom, the lowest I'm willing to go. Thank you for your support!
Emmi
September 20, 2012
Any time :) I know how hard it is to feel the way you are feeling, But it does get better, sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to push your self back up, its like jumping in the pool, unless you hit the bottom, the struggle up to get some air seems harder, but when you get to the bottom, you can push your self off and before you know it, your back at the top. You will get there, keep staying positive and constantly tell your self you are healing. :)
SpottyFace
September 21, 2012
I know you said that you also had a deep staph infection on your face at one time. I started antibiotics last night and so they really haven't had time to kick in yet. Doc said to keep it clean, but do you know if I'm supposed to wash the yellow crusty stuff off, or is that what turns into a scab? What did you do for yours? Did it leave an indented scar? Sorry for all the questions..
Emmi
September 21, 2012
Please don't apologise for all the questions, how will you ever find answers if you never ask questions, Im more then happy to help you with any questions you may have. MY doctor never told me what to do with the yellow crusty stuff, BUT, I use to get facial wipes, warm them up with the tap, not so they were burning, but enough that it would help soften the spot, by heating them up you also remove any chemicals from the wipes, which can sting the open wound, I then use to clean the infected area with the hot facial wipe, VERY GENTLY, be VERY CAREFUL NOT TO USE THE SAME PIECE OF WIPE ON OTHER SPOTS! this will cause the infection to spread, and the purpose of this is to avoid spreading the infection. Once I have cleaned the spot, I would use a product called Betadine, I am from Australia and Im not sure if it is available over seas, You can always ask you chemist or pharmacy, it is an over the counter product, they may even have something similar, its an antiseptic liquid for helping remove dirt and infection. Great stuff, I would put this on once I have cleaned the crusty stuff, and make sure the entire wound is covered, it may sting a little, but not for very long. If at night, I would place a band aid over the top, if in the morning, I use a anti fungal cream to help prevent infection throughout the day. When it comes to a staph infection what you need to be extremely careful of is not to touch it, if you do touch it, you need to wash your hands RIGHT AWAY. because it is sooooo easily spread, I once had it up my nose from my nose ring cutting the inside of my nose, on my face and also spreading onto places on my arms. You have to be careful, after about a week of taking care of it, you will start to see it healing, try not to pull the yellow gunk off, try and only wash it of, also try using minimal products like moisturizer, facial scrubs and toners, these will only aggravate the wound.. I hope this information is useful, if you have any other questions, I'm by no means an expert, but I can give advise based on experience :) Good luck :) It will start to heal soon, just give it some time :)
MysteriousSunshine
September 21, 2012
Hi! I am happy to offer advice and support. I can totally relate to your situation. Been there far too often. Just know that your skin will heal and you will be able to move on to an improved healthier life. Last year, I started a new job and absolutely destroyed my face the week prior. Like you, I hid for probably the first few weeks, but you should be proud that you actually went to work and faced reality. Trust me, if your co-workers noticed, they will soon forget. No big deal. Just take care of yourself and get well. Another suggestion is to start yoga and meditation. It truly helps settle the mind and focus on the positive. Good luck. xx
Living.dead.girl
September 22, 2016

I just did the same thing and I'm mortified... I wish I could hide out at home but I can't, I've gotta go and pick up the daughter from school, she's young so that requires me to go into the school instead of waiting for her in the car... And I have to work the rest of the weekend.... I don't know what I'm going to do. I've locked myself in my room all day , and now trying to apply make up to cover it which isn't helping because the crater is quite obvious no matter what I've tried to do to hide it

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