Thumbs

[4getmenot]

I don't know whether it's when I'm nervous about something, angry or bored but I pick all the skin from around my nail. I've heard of people picking at hang nails and stuff but I literally peel my thumb skin off all around the top of my thumb. Even though it hurts I carry on doing it until it bleeds. They heal quite quickly but then skin starts to flake and I start picking at it again. I have now scarred both my thumbs now and just wondered if anybody else does this and how I can stop myself from doing it.

[kate1976]

My sister used to do this, her hands were a state and constantly sore then she went for hypnotherapy and her hands are lovely now!

[4getmenot]

But sometimes I can go days without doing it then all of a sudden its back to square one and I start again.

[kate1976]

I guess it's the same as giving up lots of things, you need to find out what causes you to do it then find something else to do to keep your hands busy!

Have you tried putting bitter tasting stuff on your hands?

Would it be possible to wear gloves to stop you? they sell thin cotton gloves at Boots and if you put hand cream on before them then it helps moisturise your skin!!

Is hypnotherapy out of the question? as I say it worked for my sister!

I hope you find a solution soon! Good luck!

[shazbang]

I started doing this when i was young to stop myself from biting my nails (how ironic) and am still doing it now nearly 20 years later. I find it satisfying biting the skin round my fingers. Although I should really stop as my nails are fabulous but the skin around them is always red. How about chewing gum instead?

[Trojanfarce]

It's not just me then?!!! I do the same but also round my fingers too. sometimes look like I've been working in a butcher's (now there's a nice image!)

As it took me 36 years to stop biting my nails, not sure I can help here through. perhaps we should wear mittens!!!!

[4getmenot]

Have always had nice long nails its just the skin and I wont stop till its all gone and not any loose bits. Gets so sore, but I never learn.

[4getmenot]

Funnily enough I used to do it more when I smoked!! which is weird because surely my hands were occupied more.

[happy_face]

I'm completely the same as shazbang. Started doing it as a kid to stop biting my nails and now I do it on all 10 fingers. Sometimes so bad that it goes all the way round. I know it looks horrendous and know I shouldn't be doing it but I get pleasure from doing it. I did try to stop for about 3 weeks and I would smother my fingers in cream constantly but found when the skin grew back it was hard skin as it had been bitten off so many times so after about 3 weeks I had a session of pleasure of just sitting there and biting and peeling it all off again.

[4getmenot]

happy_face thats exactly it. It is a kinda of pleasure thing, the skin starts growing back but starts to peel because it is so dry and its like yer theres another bit for me to pick at even though your know its gonna hurt. Quite often I have plasters on both my thumbs that it might become a fashion in my town :-)

[CiderMonkey]

i do this too, particularly if i am nervous, anxious, uncomfortable etc. I don't notice how bad it is while i am doing it (as i am more concentrated on whatever it is that is making me do it). I only really notice after when its really sore and sometimes bleeding.

I don't know how to stop it as i am unaware that i am doing it until it's done!