SKIN PICKING - DERMATILLOMANIA

Skin picking is often referred to as a type of ‘compulsive habit’ where a person repeatedly picks at skin on their body.

It is known as dermatillomania or excoriation disorder, or as Body Focused Repetitive Behaviour. Up to 1 in 20 people live with it in the UK, from adolescents to the elderly and including people already living with an obsessive compulsive disorder (or OCD).

Skin picking can start as a simple habit of pulling or picking on the face, head, arms, legs, hands, feet and fingernails. If it persists it can result in sores, bleeding, infection, scarring and can negatively impact your mental health.

The reasons and causes behind skin picking are varied and complex, with no ‘one reason’ for why the habit starts or persists. The habit can be triggered by new or existing physical and mental health conditions, but every case is unique to that individual.

First of all, it’s important to recognise if and when these behaviours become habitual or upsetting, and to know that it’s ok to seek help and advice.

You can talk in confidence to your GP and there are numerous treatments and therapy services available for help and advice.

The NHS website is a great starting point: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/skin-picking-disorder/

BFRB UK&Ireland is a charitable organisation for support: BFRB UK&Ireland

In the meantime, we can help with supportive products.

HOW CAN WE HELP

We have created a range of products to help you address skin picking issues in the short and medium term.

Our stretchy organic, handmade three-finger gloves are designed to help ease symptoms and support you in your journey. We have designed our gloves with the user in mind so they can be taken off and put on easily, with no scratchy feel or difficult fastening mechanism. The gloves are touch screen compatible and minimise sweating.

If skin picking or biting is causing you physical or emotional distress, we hope that using a Fingers&Thumbs® glove might give you that little extra confidence and comfort.

These gloves are also helpful for those suffering with eczema and need protection for specific fingers or part of the hand.

Please note that our products are not cures but they can help alleviate physical and emotional symptoms of compulsive behaviours in the short and medium term.

We always recommend that you talk to your GP if you are worried about skin picking or thumb sucking. We also recommend reaching out to organisations such as OCDAction, BFRB UK&Ireland or British Skin Foundation if you are concerned about your own or someone else's specific habit.