I Just Want 2 be Free!!!

Hi there.... Don't use cover-up. No products will help. Nothing works. Go see a professional skin doctor. Talk about it with your family and friends. Get out while you can. Later is too late...... (Love yourself) You are who you are. It is what it is.

Hi ClassyJassy21--welcome to the forum! Please know that you are not alone with your struggle. There are LOTS of us here who are dealing with the same feelings and issues. We understand. I agree with the other posting that says you need to see a professional dermatologist who is familiar (and patient!) with skin picking. Let a physician look at your case and see what medications might be helpful. There are plenty of meds that can help you curb breakouts, stop infections, and speed healing. I don't agree with the view that you shouldn't try to find helpful products because "nothing will help." True, there is no magic pill to make you stop picking, but some products/meds will help you with physical and emotional healing. I take an SSRI for anxiety, an antibiotic to control breakouts and infection, and topicals to speed healing Personally, I have had the best luck with a (prescription) topical ointment called Biafine that does an awesome job of speeding the healing process and minimizing scar tissue. Your dermatologist can get this for you as well as a fade cream for dark-skin scar discoloration and cortico-steroid injections to reduce scar size. Once you get the wound to heal, start covering it at night with a silicone scar sheet available at most drug stores. This works to soften and shrink raised scars, and it is way better than gel or cream topicals. Of course, all of this won't mean anything if you keep picking. For most of us, it is an ongoing cycle of good days and bad days. Definitely address the reasons WHY you pick, but know that there ARE some products that can help the process. Best of luck to you!

Hi ClassyJ - It sounds like you are in a great space for change. Try Palmer's Cocoa Butter for scars, it says "For pregnant women", but it helps me when my legs have scars that dont seem to go away. I find that it takes about 2 years for a scar to go away on its own, but Neosporin can help newly made scars and Palmers can help with older more stubborn scars. Try to massage the skin when apply the Palmers because that gets the blood flowing and should help heal your skin. ************ There are lots of products to control itch - I know that a lot of them work for me in the short term but after a few hours I feel itchy again or sometimes even itchier. ***You can try Benedryl, but it may make you very very sleepy! so take before bedtime. If you are looking for topical solutions, try Caladryl Clear lotion. These are both avail. at any pharmacy or drugstore. **** Try to avoid sugar. If that's not possible, try to avoid stress. If that's not possible, try to get 8 hours of sleep. If even That is not possible, here are some short term solutions for Summer. *** I have found a light weight long white skirt and I pair it with a tank top - this covers my scars on my legs and allows me to keep my hands from idly picking without my noticing first. I bought mine at a local independent shop, but I think Target, J.Jill, Anthropologie, New York & Co., Ann Taylor Loft, H&M, Zara, or a Specialty Travel Catalogue like Orvitz may have similar items. Sincerely, "Iggabuggaboo". ~~~~~~~~~~~****~~~~~~~~~~ *- To get what you've never had - you have to do what you've never done. ~*~

Hi CLASSY - J : I have a few more suggestions. Google "Cotton Travel Skirt" or "Travel Clothing" to find some nice lightweight but practical clothes. Here are some places to start: Zappos dot com; Travel Smith; Orvis; Ex-Officio; REI; EMS (Easternn Moutain Sports); what else...let's see now - Scottevest; LL BEAN; Coldwater Creek; Tilly Endurables. Some of these stores have physical locations in Shopping Malls, and others are just Catalogue only. The prices will vary so you will have to decide what you want to budget. Tyeing a patterned or chiffon Scarf around your head is a nice flowy summer touch and will keep your hands off your scalp, at least for a few hours. You can wear TUNICS (Love sleeved or 3/4 sleeve tops that are long and patterned and usually lightweight for summer or spring). Tori Burch sells them but I think they cost $300. Look up the Ella Moss Rosebud skirt on Zappos it is $250 but I feel that it is a smart purchase if you will wear it often. The skirt will keep the air circulating against your legs and feel cool and lightweight without allowing you to pick at your scabs without noticing.

HI CLASSY J - Here is my third post to you - This is a cut and paste copy of a previous post I made. The measures I am taking are after years of experimenting, and are not - I repeat NOT - sanctioned by a Doctor. You will have to decide for yourself if you think these tips are worth the risk. Also, I would avoid the Hydrogen Peroxide tip if you are dark skinned, as it may have an unwanted bleaching affect. Or you could try it in a test area that isnt seen much by others. **************** 2 Products -Cheap from the Drugstore that WORK Posted June 23rd, 2011 by iggabuggaboo 1.My dermatologist gave me a cream that is nearly the same as LOTRIMUN ULTRA which is for "jock itch" and "foot fungus" so I was embarrased to buy it - I am a girl, I do not have Jock Itch! Gross. Anyways. Who am I to judge, I guess. I put in on two trouble spots on my scalp and the urge to pick at them has been greatly reduced. I am doing great. ***You are not supposed to put it on your scalp. But I said, screw it, it works for me. ***I am not a doctor, this is not medical advice. ---- 2. Hydrogen peroxide - pour it on a closed scab until there are white bubbles ( a capful ) - my nurse did this to a cut on my arm, so there is no harm. However, I would not put it on my scalp because I believe it is more sensitive and being so close to the brain I am afraid of getting a massive migraine if I do this. ***Again, I AM not a doctor!!! and this is not medical advice. Use your own judgment. It helps relieve an itchy sensation that I hadn't realized was there. I thought my picking was entirely pyschotic (?) pyscho-emotional (?) what-have-you. But I think you are eliminating certain Fungi and Microbes when you use these two things. I alternate them, I use them on different days, never together, I don't want to use too many products and overwhelm my body. 3. I have in the past used a skin care regimen of using Daily Cleansing Bar by Cetaphil as my bath soap and nothing else except a topical application all over my body of a prescription cream called Epiduo but I have taken a break from that regimen right now because the worst of my breakouts cleared up nicely after a few months of that. Now I am using Lever 2000 and just spot treating. I also just bought a cool white skirt that I hope will keep the bugs at bay and me cool during the hot humid summers of NC. G o o D * L u c K to everyone. ! . ! . ! MORE INFO: 1. The cream from my Derm. Dr. is called Locoid Lipocream. The active ingredient is "hydrocortisone butyrate .1%" I looked at the Lotrimin Ultra bottle, it says the active ingredient is "butenafine hydrochloride cream 1%" antifungal. 3. Epiduo is made up of two active ingredients: "adapalene and benzoyl peroxide" Gel .1% and 2.5% respectively.