13 replies to this topic

[Crofton09]

Hi all! This is my first post after trying to follow Dan's Chill Out program! I am having a very hard time, though. When I pick, I don't need a mirror to see my spots, I see and feel them all day. I pick at the little bumps on my arms. To most people, they don't even see them. But I feel them if I cross my arms, I feel them when they get a bit itchy, and I see them when I am inspecting my other scabs from the previously picked bumps. These bumps aren't acne, they are, from my research and dr's, called Keratosis Pilaris. I pick all the time, unless I'm wearing long sleeves. Due to my arms coming in contact with my clothes, I can't really follow Dan's benzoyl peroxide regimen (although it's working wonders on my face!). I have used Lamactin in the past (which is an AHA lotion with Lactic acid as the wonder ingredient), but it smells so bad and feels so weird that I didn't keep up with it. Besides, it's not the bumps that make me look bad, it's picking the bumps!!! My question for all you helpful people out there is this: Since mirrors are indifferent in my case and it just comes down to keeping my hands off the bumps, does anybody have any practical suggestions for distracting myself? Whether it be something to keep in my hands to keep them away from the bumps, or something to mentally strengthen my will to keep leaving them alone, I'll take what I can get. I'm trying Dan's idea of making a fist and keeping it as far away from the bumps as possible, but when I get bored at my desk job or when I'm just sitting at home, it's hard to catch myself before it's too late! Thanks for all the help!

By the way, I've been using Avon's Banishing Cream on my arms and face to fade my old scars, and it is wonderful!

[raintree]

I can relate to your dilemma - I, too, pick at my skin regardless of a mirror being present. My arms and my back are the main targets, but anywhere can fall victim to my compulsive need to pick. I don't have any useful suggestion though... sorry. However, I do find that making sure I keep my skin moisturized makes it less likely that I will pick (since dry skin is more easily irritated, is rougher, and is more prone to itchiness). I hope someone around here has some good suggestions

[ArghAcne]

when you get the urge to pick, put some spot treatment on instead, then you can't pick without smearing it everywhere. i use sudocrem on scabs, and bp or sulphur on active spots. this can be done on face or arms.

also try long sleeves, and gloves!

[californiaEstie]

I have keratosis too and I have been picking my arms for YEARS.

[postfetalphase]

Cut back on the caffeine intake.

edit: I do the same thing, but it seems to get worse after I've had caffeine. I can sit and pick my arms/back for hours

Edited by postfetalphase, 09 June 2010 - 05:24 PM.

[californiaEstie]

Cut back on the caffeine intake.

edit: I do the same thing, but it seems to get worse after I've had caffeine. I can sit and pick my arms/back for hours

I will try. Picking makes it SOOOOOOO much worse.

[postfetalphase]

Cut back on the caffeine intake.

edit: I do the same thing, but it seems to get worse after I've had caffeine. I can sit and pick my arms/back for hours

I will try. Picking makes it SOOOOOOO much worse.

It does. When I HAVE managed not to pick for a week or two, my skin looks pretty much clear.

[c'est la vigne]

I was just thinking about this. My boyfriend and I were sitting here a few minutes ago, watching a TV show, and I kept picking at my arm.

The backs of both my upper arms are covered with little bumps and red spots from where I've picked at them. Have been since I was a little girl. I've tried moisturizing, scrubbing, applying Salicylic Acid... Nothing's really worked for me so far.

At least I'm not alone in this. : )

[californiaEstie]

I was just thinking about this. My boyfriend and I were sitting here a few minutes ago, watching a TV show, and I kept picking at my arm.

The backs of both my upper arms are covered with little bumps and red spots from where I've picked at them. Have been since I was a little girl. I've tried moisturizing, scrubbing, applying Salicylic Acid... Nothing's really worked for me so far.

At least I'm not alone in this. : )

I've had it for SO LONG. : /

You are definitely not alone. Arm picking is one of my worst habits because they really don't look as bad when I leave them alone. And there is no cure for this either. My doctor said I will grow out of it. Soon I hope!

[c'est la vigne]

I was just thinking about this. My boyfriend and I were sitting here a few minutes ago, watching a TV show, and I kept picking at my arm.

The backs of both my upper arms are covered with little bumps and red spots from where I've picked at them. Have been since I was a little girl. I've tried moisturizing, scrubbing, applying Salicylic Acid... Nothing's really worked for me so far.

At least I'm not alone in this. : )

I've had it for SO LONG. : /

You are definitely not alone. Arm picking is one of my worst habits because they really don't look as bad when I leave them alone. And there is no cure for this either. My doctor said I will grow out of it. Soon I hope!

Man, I'm twenty five now, and I've had this problem since I was, like, seven. If I could "grow out of it" some time soon, that would be pretty great.

[californiaEstie]

Yeah I think it's a load of crap but I have to find hope somewhere.

I just noticed I didn't write what I do to help:
Agree with the spot treatment like a clay/colored spot treatment that blocks out the spot from vision. I wear long sleeves. It's WAY easier to ignore and not pick with long sleeves on.

[Crofton09]

I might try some spot treatments. Any suggestions for KP spot treatments? I would use BP, but then it's very likely to get on my clothes. I've heard of Burt's Bees spot treatment for acne, but I'm not sure if it would help with the KP. I've used amlactin on my arms for my KP, and it works great, but it's rather expensive for a lotion. Maybe I could use powdered milk and make a paste (since amlactin's active ingredient is lactic acid)?

I typically don't have many problems with picking when I wear long sleeves, but alas, it's 100 degrees out there!

I, too, have been picking for as long as I can remember. I remember being in t-ball and softball and picking my scabs and bumps when I was in the outfield and bored. I've talked to my doc and gotten the same response. I started seeing a pyschologist recently and although I put my picking issues as my 2nd priority, she just thinks it's a side effect of my anxiety and therefore doesnt talk about it much during our sessions. As crazy as this is making me (and as crazy as it makes me look), I'm going to beg her to talk about it next session.

Oh, and yeah, it looks fine when I don't pick. Only I can see the tiny little bumps that drive me nuts. Get rid of bumps, then have scabs, then they itch, then I scratch them off (on purpose and sometimes on accident) and then they bleed and look even more awful.

[californiaEstie]

Doesn't it stink?! Well I use 2 clay like things but only at home. Mario Badescu drying cream and I used to use DDF Sulfur mask as a spot treatment on arms. I showed my arms to my new dermatologist today and she said it's from not moisturizing. She told me to get CeraVe wash and lotion and do them every single day. I hope she is right!!

[Misselissa]

yeah...I have it too. The doctor says it's hereditary and there is no known cure. She said it can be "managed" kind of like acne. She prescribed a BP body wash and a salicilic acid lotion. I think it helps. Still feels like I have goose bumps on the backs of my arms, but at least they are soft, smooth bumps, if you even know what I mean. Smoothing cococut oil on my arms really helps smooth them out too.
She also said it goes away for some people as they get older. Not sure how much older though. Might have to wait till middle age....eeek. My mom had the same thing, and it seems to have gone away for her, but I've never asked her at what age she noticed it going away.

Somewhere I read that taking supplemental vitamens of A, B, and E may help. Not trying to get anyones hopes up, as I haven't really started taking any supplements yet.