Skin picking and eating - I'm still here!

I am 31 years old and have picked and ate my skin since I can remember. Honestly I can't remember a time that I didn't do this. But I never thought about it like a "disease". Don't get me wrong, I always felt awkward around friends and family about my feet and hands. It's actually kind of funny to me that over all the years people have made excuses for me; "it's eczema", "it's not that bad", "noone notices". Ha. So why am I here? I have picked and ate my fingers down to the nuckle. I have ate so many layers off the bottom of my feet that I limp sometimes at work because the bottom of my feet are raw. But I don't feel "weird". Picking makes me feel...better. I understand that it's not "normal" and that some people just don't understand. But picking....it makes living life that much easier. My affliction isn't as bad as it could be. I know that. But if you pick at your feet and hands please take my word for it...it's not that bad. My profession requires me to use my hands constantly. And the red, scared tips have never slowed me down. If you can't stop like me, don't lose hope. There are people that will love you...even after they see your hands and feet up close. There are friends and employers that don't give a shit. You are not alone. And you can be successful and function in "normal" society without being "re-programmed". You are beautiful the way you are. If picking make you feel better...like me....then do it. And don't be ashamed.