r/CompulsiveSkinPicking • u/bribri4462 • 4d ago

Advice Lip Picking/Biting NSFW

i have been picking at my lips since early childhood. i always had scars and darker patches at the affected areas. originally just my top lip, to the point that everyone would point it out. it was somewhat of a stim, to busy my hands in boredom or during more mental work that didnt require my hands as much.

almost 20 years later and its now just my bottom lip that is affected but, it has progressed to the point of basically habitually picking at night when im trying to wind down after work. im now picking past the point of intense pain, lots of bleeding, and the consequences of raw skin while trying to eat or drink.

just looking for advice, reassurance, and similar thoughts. thank you

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u/Fruitcute6416 4d ago

I have been in a lip picking hell since I was a kid. Like I can’t stop it & it’s like a pacifier to me. It calms me down like a Benadryl. It’s torture. My lips have looked raw so many times that I’ve canceled things or gotten dark lipstick / looked up tips to hide them better.

Once it heals over, half way through, the newly grown skin I compulsively pick too.

I was so ashamed and I still am. I try to sit on my hands but honestly I’ll just chew them if not. My mother did it growing up and was always anxious and I know I got it mostly from her.

My family was abusive and I was adopted and I’m on the spectrum as well.

I will scan them for hours for little imperfections and pick to relax. I don’t do it to anything else besides maybe my thumb skin on the edge.

I took Xanax and clonazepam for long stretches in my late teens and adult hood and that’s the Only time in my life they looked healthy and could resist it ..

I’ve been off of them for YEARS and picking has come right back. It’s my only soothing mechanism :( I relate to this post SO much.

It also makes me feel so ugly / self conscious and it hurts so bad. All my love to you friend. You’re doing a great job and I see you!

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u/Fruitcute6416 4d ago

Also having acrylic nails long enough that I’m unable to grab the loose little pieces of skin that start my picking process was REALLY helpful. Not too long but just long enough. I’d get so frustrated I’d just give up and pout about it but after a few days and weeks it subsided. I can’t afford it now after having my kiddos but I was going every 2 weeks to get them re done religiously 10 years ago.