Online Test

Find out the severity of your symptoms with this free online test

Take the test
valentine , 06 Sep 2013

Zero tolerance policy?

Hi All. I'm back after a long time of not picking because I've started it up again. It's limited to my KP bumps on my arms and my bikini area. It's way better than it used to be but after being pick free, any picking feels like failure--even though I know that relapses are common. Anyway, I'm going to try and post here daily for a while. I am trying a zero-tolerance policy per my therapist's suggestion, so I can't do what I do when I tell myself, 'oh, I'll just get this one spot and then I'll stop.' Anyone else interested in coming along for the ride? Today is day zero for me. Hopefull, I'll get to Day 1 tomorrow night. Wish me luck!
64 Answers
Add Comment
valentine
September 18, 2013
Halfway through day 1. Going well. Trying a few new techniques I'll post about in my next post...
sweeticeblue
September 19, 2013
Agree with edhilo re: the timer suggestion. I've tried it in the past and it worked fairly well for me. Started high and worked down to lower times... my timer broke, I waited too long to get a new one, and I regressed. Forgot all about it until now. _________________________________________________________________________ 36 years old. Mother of 3, grandmother of 1. Dermatillomaniac with OCD and a rare form of KP. 25-year skin picker, degeneration/arthritis as a result. Psychology & clinical lab science degrees. I'd call myself an expert.
valentine
September 19, 2013
Great to read you sweeticeblue. The timer is a great idea. Right now I'm celebrating 24hrs pick-free so I feel off to a good start on this beautiful fall day. Key for me is to keep my hands off the spots that are healing on my arms! I have healing ointment on them (its prescription, called Vanos. I got from my dermatologist who I feel very comfortable with who knows I'm a picker) so that helps me keep my desire to pick at the scabs at bay. Will post here later to note whether I made it to 48hrs or not!
valentine
September 19, 2013
I'm sorry to hear that... Where are you? Vanos is good but not better, I think, than over the counter stuff. It just makes me "feel" like I'm doing something extra for the sites that have been picked. I think neosporin is just as good though :-)
hopestartshere
September 19, 2013
Hey, i discovered this forum a couple of weeks ago, posted once and then for some darn reason couldn't find it again (durrrh). I'm 31 years old and completely resonate with a zero tolerance policy being the way forward; for the reality for me, is that i NEVER "JUST" pick, dig, exscervate "this one spot/bump etc' . My picking was horrendous during my early twenties then due to being on a certain kind of contraceptive pill, I didn't get any spots at all. I'm no longer on that pill and my skin has become unsettled...oily but dry, raw, unsettled...when I feel my forehead I can feel loads of bumps under the surface and it makes me feel horrible. Anyway I'm on here because last week I developed a cold sore for the first time and now I think I have infected it by picking into it with tweezers (stupid I know). Puss keeps oozing out and nothing I do is making it any better so just trying to leave it alone. However I have scabs on my neck from picking bumps/spots which are now red raw...sometimes I don't even realise I'm picking them. So here I join you (if I may) and pledge 24 hours abstinence from picking! Here we go! Thank you everyone for your posts xxx
hopestartshere
September 20, 2013
Hey valentine! I'm afraid I have picked...it happened almost without my knowing; I 'woke' up from my picking trance only after I'd picked the scabs on my neck and monstrous 'thing' on my face (I really have no idea what it is anymore, but either way it is clearly infected). I applied some tea tree oil to it last night, but my skin is so sensitive, I think it always makes spots worse? (anyone else find this) I've read a posy somewhere stating about the benefits of camomile lotion; think I'll give it a go, I'm trying this spray product that I bought for acne that's been voted as one of the best spot fighters by a tv show here in England. It is made of all natural ingredients, but again, my instinct is that it may be too strong for me....still I'm willing to try. Finally I jst wish to share with folk that I also struggle with compulsive eating and I have realised this past month or so that when I'm in 'control' of my food, I'm out of control with my picking and vice versa. So either way there seems to be something around releasing of tension. In desperation I bought the PDF guide on here last night but still haven't got it, as it didn't go to the download link after I had purchased it. Have contacted the people and no response yet. Rather disappointed. Good luck everyone. If anyone has any tips how to beat this; please share!!!!xxx
valentine
September 20, 2013
Hopestartshere: good for you for posting, even if you picked. I think checking in every day is really helpful, no matter what. I'm hoping to make it to 24hrs tonight but it's a battle. I think the trick is to keep my KP bumps covered with clothes unless I'm at the gym. Otherwise, the temptation to pop them is too great. Also had a job interview today so a little nervous about how my try-out assignment will go. As for the thing that looks infected: have you put some hydrogen peroxide on it? (diluted with water first)? I think that's usually the best route for things that are infected. Best of luck and write soon...x
valentine
September 21, 2013
Picked at one bump yesterday and another today but otherwise,keeping hands off. This is just a lot harder than I remember...
valentine
September 23, 2013
Picked at 4 bumps today before stopping.. Proud of myself for doing it gently and stopping swiftly...
valentine
September 29, 2013
Having luck keeping hands off..and then picked a little tonight. Five steps forward, two steps back...
FruityLoop
September 29, 2013
Hi Valentine, I am keen to join. I am going to my best friends wedding on the 12th, and what was supposed to be a few months of healing, has turned into bad picking. I am nervous about some swimming/spa thing popping up at the hens night. I am tired of having to plan for events were I might be asked to try on something that bares even a tiny bit of skin, let alone have to explain it to someone. So anywho, count me in. :) Lauren
FruityLoop
September 29, 2013
Hi Valentine, I am keen to join. I am going to my best friends wedding on the 12th, and what was supposed to be a few months of healing, has turned into bad picking. I am nervous about some swimming/spa thing popping up at the hens night. I am tired of having to plan for events were I might be asked to try on something that bares even a tiny bit of skin, let alone have to explain it to someone. So anywho, count me in. :) Lauren

Start your journey with SkinPick

Take control of your life and find freedom from skin picking through professional therapy and evidence-based behavioral techniques.

Start Now