I have the same bad habit. I also have the anxiety. I began to realize how much time I spend in front of a miror scratching and picking at my face, with the only certainty that it then becomes worse. Sometimes when I am extremely stressed out, I get breakouts on my chest, back, and even my butt! My best advice to anyone is to always change the lighting in your bathroom. Find something dimmer and softer, and stay away from flourescent lights. They make everyone look scary. I don't even own a magnifying mirror. Too scary.

Hello there. I just wanted to share with you that I too have a horrible habit of picking and scraping. I've suffered from acne since my early teens. I've been obsessive with washing, scrubbing, picking, using astrigents, etc and it's scary that I'm damaging my skin because I cannot stand feeling the scabbing on me.

Firstly, simitlal.... I think that getting onto anxiety meds is not the way to take care of your anxiety. That is a deeper issue, that you must talk to someone (if not on here) to a therapist or psychologist that can help you tap into your issues in order to resolve them. If you want to take something to calm your nerves, try using herbal supplements such as the liquid forms of skullcap, valerian, pharma kava (*kava kava root), or California Poppy. I had HORRIBLE anxiety last year after separating from my husband, being on my own for the first time ever, having to support myself financially, and I didn't know what else to do to calm my nerves. My sister suggested that I try kava kava whenever I felt anxious. I did and it worked. I was overwhelmed with emotional stress, but it helped me so much. I am so glad that I didn't drug myself up on drugs that would just cover up my problems.

Now the main reason why I am on this here is to recommend to stop using any topical meds like Retin-A, trentinoin, oxy (that does not work) because what you have sounds like cystic acne which is what I have. I was really hesitant to trying Accutane but i strongly suggest you speak to a dermatologist about it. It's a very effective and serious drug but it works. My nephew took it and it helped him so much. I was convinced! I've been on it now for two months and although I still see a bit of breaking out (coz it's not completely out of my system yet), I am not picking or squeezing nearly as much!!!!

Please talk to your Dr about getting onto it. They come in generic forms so it's cheaper. It's a SERIOUS drug and your doctor will go into detail about the pros and cons of it. But it's worth it.

Best of luck to you!

hi F8HnGM,
i had accutane 4 yrs back. my skin had cleared completely & and after 2 mnts i stopped using it. it came back again but no so bad , so i did not bother. now this year its worse than ever. mind u i did not consult any doctor, i just searched the net and got the medicine from the chemist (here in india its possible to get it without presciption)i consulted a skin doc yesterday and she said its cystic acne and suggested accutane. but she is not giving it without seeing my full blood report (LFT, WBC etc.) its all very expensive. since i am on tetrecycline (for a month now) i thought i will complete the 3 mnth course and then decide. meanwhile i am having ativan for anxiety. its sooo embarrassing to tell anyone that i get so anxious cuz of zits! i am even ashamed to show my back to my GF (shes seen it so many times when i am asleep) . the strange part is my face has been always clear (almost) hey u are around my age. u would know my problem better. whats ur personal email id?

I do this too- but I also have OCD and Asperger's. Not sure which is responsible for the picking though... I'll pick anything!! Not even other people are safe!! I do find that Cipralex (antidepressant) helps a bit though- curbs the OCD a bit, and relaxes the manic aspect slightly!!

i have the same habit but it's not as bad anymore thankfully have you ever tried stress balls they can distract you more than you think ^_^. im sorry if i didnt help much, i just cant think of anything else.

it was mentioned that stress balls might work more than you think. there are also tangle-toys (i know it sounds juvenile, but they really do keep your hands busy), including a larger therapeutic one. Just something to check out. I should try it out more because I constantly pick, so I know how you feel.

Picking, so hard to avoid but for some demented reason always, always seems like a great idea at the time. As if to say, " Perhaps if I pick this one, just this one time , it won't aggravate or create new pimples." I have actually started this type of "gamblers fallacy" with myself- which more appropriately should be named "acne fallacy" which is just as detrimental to my health as the picking! I agree with vanillabean in terms of avoiding bad lighting! Softer lighting in your bathroom and other rooms in your house/apt are ideal for those of us suffering! One thing I have started doing is writing myself notes in my bathroom and bedroom mirrors- such as, "STOP picking at your face!" These have been helpful reminders on the stronger days, but I always seem to falter at some point! But it's worth a shot...Better lighting and tons of sticky notes. If all else fails they will eventually just cover the mirror until I can't even see the monsters anymore!

I've heard the scarring can happen and I have a few scars already. I'm working to not pick, but it's sooooooo hard. It can happen without even thinking about it and then there is regret, of course. It causes bacteria to spread too. It's hard to choose between white or red. It really can make you feel ugly. Hang in there.

I also pick mostly when moles become scabs or dry and start picking them off until they are gone (just the scar left). It takes me a long time to get them (to the point of bleeding). A habit and because of nervousness.

Usually have other places to dig (that are hidden by clothing).

I have oily skin, so I have to figure out what things to eat (what causes it).

I tell myself not to dig at my face (dig at other places), become pus then bleed and becomes a scar (looks bad). I can't hide my face, but I can hide other spots.

I avoid picking my face, neck and hands.

Hey all, I do not have acne, but the other side of the spectrum- Excema. Or so they say. I feel everyones pain with obsessive picking, and scratching.

I have used many topical treatments, but nothing ever handles the internal need to scratch.

I've been on antidepressants before, which only made me numb. Does anyone suggest anything natural for anxiety? Something that has helped them with their need to pick, pop and scratch?

Thank you

I used to do that :(

Skin picking can be a form of self-harm. I pick horribly on every part of my body. I always have sores on my thighs and upper arms. When I finally get to see a therapist I will be bringing up the issue of the picking.

I'm in the same boat (32 - acne since 12 & a "picker"). Now that I'm in my 30s I'm really trying hard to stop. Scars don't fade as well as they did when I was younger. Maybe I'll try the stress balls or something along those lines. :)

I just cant resist that yellow thing on my face...but is not just on my face is everywhere. But when I was taking oral medicine for my acne my skin was so beautiful and clean. Then I stoped and is worse like in my teanagers time. So I dont think I`ve got an OCD...because when I am taking the skin medicine I completely forget the problem,