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axwell_11 , 01 Sep 2014

Thumb scratching

Hello. I've had this problem for 3 years. I pick the outer sides of my thumbs with my nails but mostly with sharp objects even with a fork. My skin has changed its color and is very thuck even though it's easily cut by the sharp objects that I use to scratch it. I don't feel an itch but I just have the urge to do it. I do it all the time. I kinda feel relaxed while I scratch until i accidentally cut my skin. It's become numb and I can feel almost nothing when I touch it with my fingers. But when I start scratching it, well, it feels very good. I'm sorry if I gave too much information but I just wanted to share my story. How can I stop myself? Can my skin recover or it's permanently damaged? Please, answer if you have the same problem!!! Thanks.
4 Answers
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Katpippy
September 01, 2014
Hello, I don't have this exact problem and am not sure if your skin can heal completely but just wanted to sympathise with you on the compulsion and not being able to stop. And the fact that it feels good when you do it... it feels satisfying. It is so hard to break a habit like this, but I am sure you can try. Have you thought of putting a plaster/bandaid or bandage around your thumb to stop you doing it? Do you just do it when you're alone? I pick my skin around my family, and I am thinking of asking them to kindly and gently stop me when they see me do it. x
axwell_11
September 02, 2014
Well, I pick my skin almost everywhere but mostly when I'm alone. My parents have seen me doing it several times and they always tell me to stop but I just can't. I've put bandaid on my thumbs but I just remove it because I NEED, like I really need to do it. It's like a drug to me. Thanks for your comment!!!
Katpippy
September 02, 2014
I know, I don't even know I'm doing it. Have been trying to stop myself today and keep realising my fingers are on my skin again searching for something to pick. I actually just found a spot looking horrendously red and injured, and i don't even remember attacking it! I guess we need to find a way of being conscious of ourselves do it, and find something else to soothe our anxiety or be that drug... mine is usually either stress or boredom, so I am going to try having a stress ball/toy to hold. Do you think you could try that too?
axwell_11
September 02, 2014
My mum bought me a stress ball about a year ago. I tried to hold it in my hands but I somehow find a way to pick my thumbs. Right now, the stress ball stays in my room and I don't use it because it doesn't help. But you could try - everyone's different. My problem is that I do it consciously and I still can't find a way to stop it... Something is verryyy wrong with me but I'm glad that I'm not alone. What about you? Do you pick a certain area of your skin and how long have you been doing it?

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