Um, so I pick my feet...

Yep, I've done it since I was 8 or 9 years old (I'm about to be 23) and I do eat the skin. Disgusting I know, and I feel the exact same way you do. I hate going through hours of picking uncontrollably without really stopping and then getting up to walk is nearly impossible. As I type my foot is bleeding a bit from just having a picking session. I also enjoy it because it's relaxing and sometimes I don't want to worry about quitting, but in reality I really do. I want to wear open toed-shoes and get a pedicure without the lady being disgusted by my cut up feet. I think I'm going to find a cognitive-behavioral therapist or support group to really help for good. There have been times where I completely stopped picking for most of the summer and was able to comfortably wear flip flops and not be self-conscious of them. But I always end up going back to the habit. It's definitely not going to be easy to stop.

I picked my feet when I was a child. I remember going to school and it hurt like hell to walk. When I got to about 9 I started picking scabs on my legs. Every summer I would get mosquito bites and I would pick at them until they scabbed up and then I would just keep picking and picking at them to the point where my legs still have pretty dark scars on them. When I turned 11 I got head lice from a cousin and then I started picking my scalp. When I was 13 I stopped picking my legs because I felt so embarassed by how it made me look and I just kept picking at my scalp. I'm 21 now and I pick anything but my face. I try not to pick my legs so much but sometimes I can't help it. I went to the doctor the other day with a sore ankle. The doctor rolled up my pants leg and saw all the scars and sores on my leg and was just appalled. He prescribed me an antibiotic so they wouldn't get infected and told me to stop picking. How can you just stop picking?! It's been a lifelong affliction. I haven't picked my legs in about 2 days now, but I can't seem to stop picking at my fingers and at my scalp. I looked online for relief from head sores today and stumbled upon this site. I didn't know this was a real disease, but now that I do I feel relieved. It's also comforting to know that there are others out there just like me.