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Trumplet , 19 Feb 2013

How long have you picked for?

Hello. I am 13, almost 14 and I have picked for over 11 years. How long have you picked for? Post a comment and I'll respond. Also read my other forums and help me please.
41 Answers
ducky
February 20, 2013
iv picked for 10 years (well that's what I remember) but it seems to have got worse as I have grown up and been through school :)
Zenbaby
February 25, 2013

In reply to by ducky

I'm just replying to the last post on the whole topic. The white "pods" under a scab are a part of the healing process. If you pick at them the wounds will not heal. Once the wound is completely healed over and you still see obvious white spots under your skin (though it may be scar tissue) see a dermatologist. There is no medically good reason to dig in your skin to get stuff out. That's a type of mental disorder. FYI. Maybe y'all know all this already...if you pull a scab off, dab on some alcohol and neosporin and leave it alone. It's a wound. It's gonna hurt while it's healing.
plasticina
March 13, 2013

In reply to by Zenbaby

I found this info useful and interesting. I usually pick those "pods". Thanks for letting me know it is part of the healing process zenbaby, maybe next time I'll think twice before picking it!
ducky
February 20, 2013
iv picked for 10 years (well that's what I remember) but it seems to have got worse as I have grown up and been through school :)
NorCalScalpPicker
February 21, 2013
I'm 38 and I've been picking my whole life. Nose, scabs, any irregularity on the surface of the body. These days it's generally confined to the scalp and the nose. The scalp isn't usually visible in public, except when I get a haircut. I feel ashamed when I have to get a haircut, even though the hairdressers know me and understand that I have a compulsion. They're nice, but I know it can't be pleasant to look at. I want to stop, and I'm just beginning the process of figuring out how that works. Good luck to you. Change is possible.
Trumplet
February 22, 2013

In reply to by NorCalScalpPicker

I pick everywhere. About 20 minutes ago, I noticed some red bumps on my chest. Now it's one big red blotch. I pick anywhere there's not a flat skin surface. I honestly don't think change is possible for me... I've tried stopping so many times.... Never worked. Thanks anyway. -Jasmine
Bug
February 25, 2013
I'm currently 17 and can't even remember when I started picking. I've picked at my fingers the longest, yet when I was around 13 I picked at my legs so much my mother took me in to a doctor thinking I had hives. If I feel any kind of bump on my arms or scalp i'll end up scratching them til they bleed and then pick at the scab. I also tend to pick at the occasional acne that I get.
thumbpicker
March 01, 2013
I have picked at my fingers since grade school. I'm now in my late thirties. I am amazed at how it is triggered by nothing at all! And can go on autopilot without any help on my part whatsoever. I find it gross. I did manage to stop picking by getting acrylic on my nails, they then became smooth and couldn't pick a thing. Because I cannot afford it lately, I've let it go and magically the picking reappears. It is so embarrassing. My thumbs barely have fingerprints. Sad. I can only hope and pray I have the willpower to stop.
Tombking
March 01, 2013
I'm 18 (guy) and I've been picking my fingers all my life. Unfortunaty I also suffer from dermatophagia. It's affected me all my life. my hands are disproportionatly smaller than the rest of my body and the average male hand. it has also affected my confidence around others.
birdwatchingbabe
March 01, 2013
Hi, I am 26 and I have been picking all of my life. When I was a kid, I would pick and chew at my fingers/hands. I remember being embarrassed and hiding my hands from people at school. I didn't start picking my face (other than typical pimple popping that most teenagers do) till I was about 19, and have not been able to stop.

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