Online Test

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

Take the test
ldill , 04 Aug 2009

Women Vs Men (skin picking)

I have been reading and learning almost all day on this forum. Altough I feel I may have noticed a trend. I'd love to conduct a survey or poll to see how many women pick vs men.....Some people have stated stress in their childhood and other trauma that may cause or trigger the picking/biting/eating of the skin. Why you may ask? Just food for thought I guess. ldill
12 Answers
Add Comment
addicted
August 06, 2009
I'm female and pick n eat (not very ladylike, huh?)
tonysbricksmoocher14
August 06, 2009
I'm female too and pick, but don't eat. My worst areas are my cuticles and my scalp, but my scalp stems mainly from psoriasis. But my cuticle picking stems from no logic or reasoning.
ldill
August 07, 2009
So far no male replies. Interesting. I am female and pick/eat fingers. Although I am proud to say that since Tuesday I have not. Trying the aversion therepy with the rubber bands on my wrist. Either I play with them, pop them, rub them or twist them around the trigger fingers until the urge passes. So day 3 of no picking! Seems so far that women pick far more than men. Thanks to all that has given their input.
bas
August 09, 2009
i am a male.... oddly enough i am a very typical alpha male jock type and i suffer from a classic case of csp. I think its harder for men because we can't cover our scars with concealer, yet easier because scars are more socially acceptable on men.
accessv
August 27, 2009
I'm a male. I pick at everything, but eat only the most sumptuous and driest of scabs (I meant that as a joke, but the thought just made my stomach churn. Maybe that’s a good thing) It started when my brother first pointed out the white line across my nose were whiteheads. It accelerated when I was in high-school & it exploded as I have Keratosis Pilaris and a very dry scalp. My hairdressers think I have some form of birth mark on the back of my neck. Nope – just from scratching. It’s always red & enflamed. I guess I haven’t contributed anything productive here… :P Let me tell you though, if you pick, infection spreads. (Both physically and mentally)
ldill
August 27, 2009
As you see that there are few guys vs women that pick. Or at least that admit it. And yes, your joke was stomach churning but funny! Us pickers will think it is funny though. Thx for your input.
whskygrl107
August 07, 2009
Female; pick only the face and do not eat anything off my body. bite my nails but do not eat them.
mshbuck
August 08, 2009
Hi everyone! I can relate to what everyone has shared. I'm a skin picker (and hair puller) who picks at every part of my body. I found a 12 step group for skin pickers that has SAVED MY LIFE. People in the program have solid abstinence from skin picking. They GET IT. Finally, I have found my people and am not alone. There are people who I can call during the week, they "get me." There is a weekly phone meeting. I'm not facing this devistating illness alone anymore and I no longer have to "figure it out." THERE IS A SOLUTION. Please call in if you need support. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. SKIN PICKER'S ANONYMOUS PHONE MEETING - Sundays at 7PM EST. Call in #: 1-270-696-2525 / Access Code: 12128
ihatecsp
August 20, 2009
im female and i pick but dont eat anything. when i was younger i used to literally chew through the skin on my fingers. i dont think i ate it. i dont really remember. i suppose ive swallowed a few hangnails in my life though. eating just isnt part of my routine.
Alameda
August 26, 2009
Female, picks and eats. In thinking about your question, it occurs to me that most of my behaviors started at puberty. I remember looking at my girlfriends furtively, wondering when I would get body hair, breasts, etc. I knew one girl who had very hairy legs, and I convinced her to let me cut them (the hair, not her legs!) with scissors. I became entranced with the snip snip sound and the feeling of grooming, and the fact that I always have more to cut after a few days. With another girl I was brushing her hair and noticed that I could scratch her head and see white, oily build up under my fingernails. Hello scalp picking for the rest of my life! :( And of course, with puberty came acne that I could pick. I mention these because I wonder if these body changes of oil, body hair and acne affect women and men pickers differently, of if I am the only one that associated them with my csp. I pick to get solace, to go into a meditative moment, and to force order on my immediate surroundings by using ritual (the-pus-must-be-expelled! every-flake-must-go!, etc). Is this a female trait I wonder, or really just a human trait that we pickers express so privately?
ldill
August 26, 2009
Really good questions. I'd like to say more human but of all pickers, the majority seems to be female. You do not have to answer this question but was there any trauma or neglect as a child? These seem to be factors that trigger the start of picking or self mutilation. There is a theme here.

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