Online Test

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

Take the test
livelaughlove , 01 Apr 2011

Bandaids

Hey guys, as you know, picking is very compulsive and sometimes is combined with OCD, which I have. Well, my mom seems to think that she can help me by putting bandaids on my face. I hate this because she makes me wear them out places and it's just so humiliating. She puts bandaids all over my face. She also guilt trips me by saying that she shouldn't have to spend all her money on bandaids, which I proceed to tell her she doesn't need to. She forces bandaids on me. She is also OCD, could this be a contributing factor? Please help.
4 Answers
Add Comment
sharmaine73
April 01, 2011
I think she may be genuinely trying to help in her own clumsy way. I recognize this because it is a tactic I have used on my son (potential embarrassment), and it was also used on me as a kid. It's a parenting style. It is what it is. Sometimes it works. I think it works better on little kids. Teens tend to just silently hate you. :) That said, I can't say what the cause is. That's something you have to determine on your own or with someone like a therapist. Chances are it's a combination of things: nerves, anxiety, your mom stressin' about crap you already know you shouldn't do which makes you want to do it more, school, hormones, boyfriends (or girlfriends - for some reason I guessed you were a girl. Sorry if I'm wrong.) You get the drift. I will say that high school (if you're in high school), is hard enough without having the extra worry of the scars on your face and feeling self-conscious about it. As summer approaches make a goal that you will try and stop picking and you will start doing nice things for yourself - shopping, buying clothes, buying make-up for your newly perfected and un-scarred skin. By next fall your skin problem could be a thing of the past. Invest some acne meds, and at home skin peels (go to www.muac.com for skin peels). Go on youtube to learn how to apply them. Go to your derm and get some heavy duty anti-biotics to heal the sores fast so you can get going on this. I use something called mupirocin ointment. I used it about a year ago when my face was all messed up from my picking invisible zits after starting a new stressful job. Healed me right up. Now I'm studying for the bar exam and they are back so I just ordered a refill today. I hope this stuff helps you. And your Mom. She's trying to help. Really.
livelaughlove
April 02, 2011
Hey, thanks for replying. Can you get this medicine at the store? We really can't afford to go to the doctor, unfortunately. And I understand what you mean, I just wish she weren't so strict.
sharmaine73
April 02, 2011
Mupirocin is a prescription anti-biotic so you have to see a Doc. to get it. I don't have insurance right now either and can't afford to see a Dr. so I called the original Dr. who prescribed it for me (even though it has been over a year since I've seen him, and I don't even live in the same town anymore). I explained my circumstances and asked him if he could PLEASE call in a refill. He agreed to do it. So if you have had a regular Dr. in the past, like a pediatrician or something, you might call them up and say, "Hey look, I don't have any money and I really need an anti-biotic, Mupirocin for my skin because of this problem I have, but I can't come in because I can't afford it. Can you please have the Dr. call one in to the pharmacy for me? You should do it because they are more likely to take pity on a sad teenager. Sniffle a little. :) Tell them your face hurts and you have band aids on your face. The works! They may still say no (they'd be heartless jerks), but it's worth a shot. If they agree, ask them to call it into Costco Pharmacy. That is hands down the cheapest pharmacy ever and you don't need to be a member. As a member it's going to cost me $14.00. You may pay about $20.00. I think the regular price at Walgreens Pharmacy without Insurance is $45.00. You can always call and ask what the price is over the phone and they'll tell you. By the way, membership is $50 per year and is worth it for the cheap meds if your family uses a lot of prescriptions. I know a lady whose monthly prescription for ONE medication was $750 bucks! At Costco it was $140.00. Maybe ask your school nurse if she can write prescriptions or help you get the medicine if all else fails. Finally, if you just can't get a hold of any, use Neosporin ointment or a generic brand to help heal faster. Cut off your nails, sleep with gloves on, and try to avoid looking in the mirror for a while and you MUST WEAR SUN SCREEN of at least SPF 30 everyday!! The sun will make scarring and dark spots worse so wear sunscreen every-time you leave the house even on cloudy days. Good luck to you!
sharmaine73
April 01, 2011
I think she may be genuinely trying to help in her own clumsy way. I recognize this because it is a tactic I have used on my son (potential embarrassment), and it was also used on me as a kid. It's a parenting style. It is what it is. Sometimes it works. I think it works better on little kids. Teens tend to just silently hate you. :) That said, I can't say what the cause is. That's something you have to determine on your own or with someone like a therapist. Chances are it's a combination of things: nerves, anxiety, your mom stressin' about crap you already know you shouldn't do which makes you want to do it more, school, hormones, boyfriends (or girlfriends - for some reason I guessed you were a girl. Sorry if I'm wrong.) You get the drift. I will say that high school (if you're in high school), is hard enough without having the extra worry of the scars on your face and feeling self-conscious about it. As summer approaches make a goal that you will try and stop picking and you will start doing nice things for yourself - shopping, buying clothes, buying make-up for your newly perfected and un-scarred skin. By next fall your skin problem could be a thing of the past. Invest some acne meds, and at home skin peels (go to www.muac.com for skin peels). Go on youtube to learn how to apply them. Go to your derm and get some heavy duty anti-biotics to heal the sores fast so you can get going on this. I use something called mupirocin ointment. I used it about a year ago when my face was all messed up from my picking invisible zits after starting a new stressful job. Healed me right up. Now I'm studying for the bar exam and they are back so I just ordered a refill today. I hope this stuff helps you. And your Mom. She's trying to help. Really.

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