What is “Dermatillomania”?

— Soft Services newsletter

Let’s talk about compulsive skin picking.

Soft Services Let’s talk about compulsive skin picking. DERMATILLOMANIA aka compulsive skin picking Dermatillomania is not a skin condition, but a one of the mind. It falls under the OCD umbrella, manifesting in picking at small areas of skin all over the body until the point of bleeding or satisfaction with the goal—be it to release ingrown hairs, clogged pores, etc. There’s “automatic” picking, which some may do in their sleep without realizing it, and “focused” picking.

Scabbing, scarring, and inflammation will occur, with the risk of bacterial infection. Psychologically, many may feel guilt, shame or stress, and want to hide the resulting skin damage. Skin picking might be a way for someone to cope with anxious thoughts, but can also be rooted in appearance-based anxiety. There isn’t a direct line of cause and effect for this condition, which makes it harder to understand and treat.

Most people with dermatillomania don’t know the word for it because obsessive skin picking so often occurs in private, though with the recent virality of pimple-popping videos online, it’s clear that this is not a niche concern. DERMATILLOMANIA QUICK FACTS VARIETY BAG Talk therapy is the most common treatment for underlying psychological causes of dermatillomania. Trichotillomania refers to compulsively plucking eyebrows and other hair.

87% of people with dermatillomania have not been treated, according to a study in Comprehensive Psychiatry . ‘Habit reversal training’ helps people recognize the triggers and feelings that precede picking, and teaches relaxing techniques to keep the urge from taking over. Acne, ingrown hair, and keratosis pilaris can be skin-picking triggers for some, who pick at blemishes and bumps to make them go away. Treating the triggers lessens the urge to pick.

Practical changes can help: replace magnifying mirrors with normal ones, swap any bright, unflattering lighting with dimmer bulbs, and manicure nails in a way that makes it difficult to use as tools for picking. See our deep-dive into potential causes, treatments and more expert body skin advice on Mass Index . Shop Soft Services

Tags: Deep Dives, Body Acne, Clogged Pores, Ingrown Hair, Keratosis Pilaris