KP PICKERS NEED SUPPORT

[Archive]

Originally posted by LUVFOLKART

Hi everyone! I couldn't help notice all the KP pickers crying for help out there.
I too am a picker/scratcher. Why? I don't know.
It started when I was 14yrs old and my Dad and the kids at school made fun of the red bumps on my arms.
Maybe I thought if I picked at them I could remove them. Silly I know. I am 43 now and you would think I'd know better. Its a bad habit like anything else. We do it to relieve stress. We do it when we are bored. We do it unconsciously (picking fits). Its like going into trance like state. Then we feel guilty, esp. when everything is really ugly afterwards. After I need to cleanse, neosporin the site and bandage. I myself have single handily keep the curad Band-Aid company in business using there little spots all over my arms and forearms. Yes, I am a site for sore eyes.
I am seriously considering starting a group called PA (pickers anonymous. The good news is, now that my skin is improving (less bumps to pick)
my will power is stronger. I'm thinking of seeing a hypnotist too. My antidepressant has not helped my obsession/bad nervous habit. Any helpful ideas or thought would be appreciated.

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Originally posted by Ashley

Funny that I read this today as I have just finished popping all the KP bumps on my arms. I started last night and I just finished the job right before I read your post. My arms are now red and sore and UGLIER than before. I hate that I can't seem to control myself. I was soooo proud of myself because I went about a week w/out popping / picking and my arms looked better. All the old scabs were almost gone. (gross I know) and then I popped just one. Because it was so big and white and just begging to be popped. That was all it took. I posted an article about this a couple of weeks ago and Mel suggested that I get acrylic nails. Haven't done that yet. But I think I would find a way to pop them anyway. I HAVE to break this HORRIBLE habit before I permenantly scar my arms. I would love to hear some stories from people who used to have this habit and quit successfully and what helped them finally quit. It's so crazy talking about this as if it were a drug or something. Anyway, I wish I could offer you some solutions, but all I can do is relate.
Ashley

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Originally posted by kim r

this is going to sound wierd, but when i used to pick (i have not picked in AGES - forced myself to stop), i would take a q-tip (cotton swab) and dip it in some hydrogen peroxide. I would hold the qtip to red spot where the bump formerly was.count to 10, go on to the next one i popped. it would sting a little and may bubble, but it would look a lot better the next day. it also cleans it out (you just made an open wound on yourself) to prevent infection (which causes yet more redness). besides, the time with the qtip is less time spent picking (does that make sense?). i hope you all don't think i am nuts but that is what i used to do when i picked. now i still have some bumps but they are too small to pick.

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Originally posted by BL

Oh my god that is so true! It IS like a trance, sometimes I sit there for hours just picking away at them, without even realising the time ticking by. If only picking was the cure.

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Originally posted by Luvfolkart

I swear it becomes an addiction like anything else. I found keeping busy as possible helps me. I crochet and do crafts. For some reason reading and watching TV always set me off. Being very consistent with my skin care routine helps. I think I'm going to take a digital PIC. of myself after a popping/picking binge, and keep it handy. Maybe it will help stop or keep from starting.

[Archive]

Originally posted by Dusty

Hello all. I have had KP for about 10 years on the backs of my arms. I also had a problem with picking--my obsession wasn't quite as bad as some of you describe, but I, also, did that. I think what has make me stop is the combination of (after finding this message board) the realization that it makes it worse and wearing long sleeve shirts. Before I knew what this was, I used to pick at them since I wasn't sure if it helped or made it worse. But, now that I KNOW it makes it worse--some people even say that it causes it to spread--I was able to say--ENOUGH--we all hate this condition--find strength to say ENOUGH! Try the long sleeve shirts (all the time) and set up little deadlines for yourselves--try to go 1 day, then 1 week, then 1 month...Once you see that it looks so much better if you don't, maybe it'll help. We will never get rid of these if we pick at them-remember that! Good luck!