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Picking Scabs
White Stretchy Plugs
I've always squeezed bumps and blemishes on my skin, but recently I've gone through a period of work-related stress. I was off work for 2 months, during which time my picking and squeezing got worse. I had lots of blemishes on my chest which I squeezed and picked until I had a few nasty little wounds. One of them became quite deep, and I discovered that when I picked the scab off there were a few little white pinhead shapes under it, in the wound. They were screaming out to me to be picked out, but I couldn't do it by hand - I had to use tweezers. Sometimes I found I would need a wool needle to ease the white thing out a bit before the tweezers could get hold of them. When I pulled, a white elasticy thing would stretch and then come out. It was about 2mm long. It was VERY satisfying to pull it out, so I looked for some more in my skin. This made my picking worse, and I now find I am thinking of it quite a lot of the day. I am longing to pull more stretchy white things out of my skin. I put up with quite a bit of discomfort and pain just to get the satisfaction of pulling out these stretchy white plugs. To heal my wounds I use Savlon antiseptic liquid, and they begin to dry up quite quickly. But this is the most tempting time to pick - the scab becomes very crusty and itchy, and I see little white bumps underneath which could be those white plugs I long to pull out. They are itchy and I am dying to pull them out!
Jeez, a much better day again today. Don't want to jinx myself though. Think I will take 2 more flucozonale tablets. I am trying to limit using any creams now. Hoping my body will be able to take over from here. Pain is minimal. Will give an update in a week. It is Friday!
Have another thing for you to search...hypochlorous acid. I haven't checked if it can be compounded...but will be asking the dermatologist Im seeing in 2 weeks.
Hello Again! What I think is happening to me is that the fungus has been killed. But this leaves behind a blocked follicle. A follicle with a partially grown hair. I think my body is attacking this dead follicle, causing the inflammation. As it has attacked the follicle while it was infected. Perhaps coating the follicle as it would a splinter. Plus, the scar tissue from the two biopsies isn't helping. Terrible couple of days just passed. Better day today though, I'll take it. I'd consult a doctor, but we all know how that goes. Okay. Gonna take more than this to make me give up. You people here are a source of strength. Thank you. Aargh! (flag with a jolly roger on it)
After my recent doctors visits here’s my recommendations.
Get a prescription of Valtrex and some Lysine gel. Will update at the end of my aggressive high dose antiviral in 3 days.
PP...your doc believes this is herpes related? Did you have testing done?
No testing. I’ve ran through several doctors...find the diagnosis hard to believe because why would so many of us go undiagnosed? I’m taking the script, won’t hurt anything if they’re wrong.
Interesting....looking forward to hearing how you're doing in the coming week.
Interesting. I look forward to your update.
The valacyclovir has helped a lot in finally healing the lesion I've had for almost 2 months. I was taking 1g 3x a day for 7 days, currently just 1g a day. The plugs are mostly ridded of (for now & hopefully forever) as far as I can tell. There may be one deeply rooted plug hanging around but no more open wound on my chin. If you haven't tried this, ask your doctor for an antiviral, hopefully it continues to help me. If you cannot get to a doctor I would try taking Lysine tablets maybe with a Lysine topical too.
Good tp hear. I use L-Lycine on occasion...has never improved my issue. I've never tried topical though. Thanks for the update.
I have picked my skin since puberty. I’m 34 now. This website is helpful.
I read here about Malassezia and then did some research. I believe that’s what’s been causing my painful itchy scabby blemishes I couldn’t help but pick for around 12 years. I bought a zinc cream meant to be used on the scalp for dandruff treatment and I saw improvement within a day. Fingers crossed that it’s just a fungal/yeast overgrowth issue and this will be the cure.
Agreed LargeDrPepper, this is a good place. You may find Dr. Pepper that you will need an oral medication. I took your advice PlugPlague and have begun taking some L-Lycine. 3,000mg per day. Not sure yet either but I am having positive results. Hardly any pain and nothing to pick at. Not even interested in looking at it, as it feels that good. Made a doctor's appointment, earliest is November 3rd. If these doctor's could only feel the pain, they would understand. Okay Back again soon.
Just Some Guy, Happy to hear it may be helping!! Keep calling the doctors, ask to be on a cancellation list. Tell them repeatedly how much discomfort and pain you are in. I hope they can see you sooner. Keep us posted. I wish photos could be shared on this platform. My progress as far as the appearance of the sore is a night and day difference.
Thanks PlugPlague - all still good here! I get the odd sting but my wound is healing nicely. Again, hardly notice it anymore. The only thing I can attribute the change to is the Lysine. Also applying cold sore cream (Abreva). Suspect it will be another three weeks before the wound is fully healed over. Most glad you are doing better too :-)
A few photos of my healing over the past two weeks.
Still on the up and up...a slight itch occasionally but also severe dryness at the moment.
https://ibb.co/7rJdKSs
https://ibb.co/RhY7dnR
https://ibb.co/Svs12G5
How does one access them? Copy paste says doesnt exist.
Plague plug,
I saw your pics and it is the exact same thing as I have. It looks like you have a bunch under the skin over your entire chin, and even those healed with the scabby one. I am loving the progress!! I had a cold sore and used some abreva on a few small ones I had on my chin and it did help. I never consistently used it on them though. I think we may have stumbled on something here.. I would like to ask the group: How many of us get cold sores? ...because these do reoccur in the same spots very similar to active and dormant cold sores.
Snipzie,
Highlight the "link" and click on "chrome" or whichever browser you use..
Yeah - a couple horrible days. Not much sense in discussing it but I am not well. I can't remember the last time I had a cold sore. Very rare for me. I will tough it out until I can see my family doctor. Will take a look at your pictures PlugPlague. Thanks :-)