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Two year old constantly picking
My two year old constantly picks at her skin. It's not just a scab from something as I've been reading while trying to find information, but they'll be nothing there and she picks until it bleeds. Her legs and arms are the most common place she does this, then she picks at those scabs. She tears the bandaids off so it's useless to try those.
This started when she got Infantago (I'm not sure if I'm spelling this right) but we put the cream on that the doctor told us and it went away. (this was last year). A few weeks later it looked like it'd come back, and the same cream helps, but she just keeps picking. And it's just gotten worse. I'm not sure what to do.
I'm concerned because I've always been a picker too, but always at the scabs, never when there's nothing there and I know how frustrating it is to do this w/o realizing it until it's too late and I don't want her to have this struggle, especially since she's only two now.
Anyone have any ideas? Or been through this?
Thank you.
February 20, 2013
She oblivious learned it from you. Have you considered bed bug, fleas, roaches, chiggers, mites.?
I am a face a gum picker
I got acrylic nails to stop,bc they are dull.But now to pick theming with needle tweezers. Picks and tiny sewing kits scissors " U can get some thing called acrylic overlay not for two year olds but if u explain to you doctor her could right a note. Explaining how it would help bc thy are healthier for her. Or Bitter nail? It's something u paint one that tastes bitter and that could helped me for a while..... But I'm an an adult and just tr
February 20, 2013
She oblivious learned it from you. Have you consisted bed bug, fleas, roaches, cheers, mites.
I am a face a gum picker
I got acrylic nails to stop,bc they are dull.But now to pick theming a" U can get some thing called acrylic overlay not for two year olds but if u explain to you doctor her could right a note. Explaining how it would help bc thy are healthier for her.
February 21, 2013
Hi Raelynn84,
I am sorry to hear about these difficulties. As someone who picked my skin compulsively in the past, I know that must be incredibly frustrating. I agree with the other poster that it might be useful to check for invisible irritants (e.g. allergies, mites etc), but I disagree that it is something she learned from you. (I never learned my compulsive skin picking from anyone).
Hopefully these irritating symptoms will simply pass and are nothing, although I would suggest you check with a doctor in any case. In terms of what it could be, I am not a doctor and this is a bit of a guess-but there seems to be info coming out on the possible connection between Streptococcal infections (e.g. Infantigo) and the rapid-onset of OCD-related symptoms (pediatric dermatillomania/skin picking, eye tics in children etc) . Do a Google search for PANDAS to see what I am talking about. This stands for "Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections"
You do not appear to be alone...there seem to be others with young children with post-strep concerns on these forums:
http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=8537
http://www.raising4boys.com/2010/02/13/treating-impetigo-that-wont-go-away/
http://www.ocfoundation.org/listSupportGroups.aspx (PANDAS groups are here too).
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Also this reminded me of your daughter's situation too: http://www.bandbacktogether.com/pediatric-dermatillomania-resources/
Also What Are the Symptoms of Dermatillomania in Children?
Skin picking can occur in many different places and ways. Watch for obsessive picking on the face, scalp, fingers and cuticles, lips, scabs, nose, and even non-existent "spots."
The non-existent spots can be old scars that can still be felt and the obsessive need is to smooth them out. This normally leads to creating a new spot or wound.
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If this turns out to be the case, (e.g. that it is dermatillomania/OCD caused by PANDAS or whatever it turns out to be), I would get in touch with a specialist dr (and possibly a support group if that helps)...to see how to tackle it. I was able to get over my skin picking with the help of an OCD specialist. This is surmountable :)
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Hopefully all goes well and she heals up perfectly! :)